HELP! LEAK!

[travis74]

This is the first time I have ever dealt with this. Water drained, all fish and plants out. Waiting for last of water to drain defore scraping out gravel.
This is a 29g glass. My plan is to get the gravel out and identify the leaks, mark them, dry out area and silicone, wait 6 or 7 hours and see if water holds. Anything that I'm not thinking of?
TIA

[neilanh]

Did it just start leaking all of a sudden?
Can you tell where the leak is coming from (i.e. a seam, a crack, etc)?

[travis74]

Well...thankfuly we were at home. So yes it happened all the sudden. Was leaking from under the frame on the right short side (front to back). Before I could get all the water out the leak slowed and finally stopped. Going to scrape out gravel in a bit and see what is what. Cannot see a crack or imagine what might have caused one. Aquarium is 3+ years old, only holding water for 1.5. Am I on the right track?

[rich311k]

Just a thought a 29 gallon is not that much money. You may be better off just getting a new one. You can always play with fixing the other one later. If you get it fixed you have another tank.

[travis74]

very much in the back of my mind... my wife would kill me and then you for suggesting it(LOL)... But if it is a seam it's fixable?

[rich311k]

It is fixable. the suggested way is to remove all the silicone and reseal, not just a patch job. Thats why I think replacing is a better option.

[neilanh]

I've never done this, but I'm sure someone could say. They do make sealants, so undoubtedly I would think if you could isolate exactly where it is, you can fix it.

However, just like rich311k said, you could easily get a new tank. For me, anytime something breaks, whether mechanical or electrical, that's a signal to me for an upgrade. If my 46 gallon started leaking, I'd have to get a 90 to replace it

[Zagz]

It is fixable as Rich said, but you need more than 6-7 hours for the sealant to dry. More like 24-48. I'd keep the media wet, get another tank and then fix the old tank for a second tank. That way you don't have to worry about where to house the fish, or worry about the cycle dying off.

[newfound77951]

I agree, I'd get another tank, you can always fix the old one and then sell it, that might appease your wife a little!

[travis74]

Well, as I was emptying out the gravel and looking for the leak my wife comments "wouldn't it be easier to just buy another tank?" She is the best. And so I did.