Update on "Need Help!" I still need it!!!
- Thread starter Lana
- Start date
couple downsides to having a glass aquarium is the potential for springing a leak and glass breakage to occur. You can figure out for yourself how breaks happen. For leaks, most are usually caused by a flaw or failure in the sealant, either generated during construction of the tank, or over time becomes weak and begins peeling away from the glass. This can lead to leaks of a small annoying pin hole size, up to and including a major seam blowout, l
Most often pin hole sized leaks can be fixed from the outside, without having to totally drain or tear the whole tank apart, but for major leaks or glass breakage, this requires some reconstruction of the tank. The good news? Repairing a leak is actually not a difficult task, whether it be a major or a minor one.
Don't use the wrong kind of silicone sealant; use only a non-toxic 100% silicone sealant appropriate for aquarium use.
Not cleaning and preparing the glass surface properly or adequately enough.
Not pinpointing the exact location of where a small leak is coming from. Water will always be present at the bottom of the tank (gravity rules), but the source may be somewhere else up higher or sideways along the joint or seam.
Not repairing a large enough area up, down, or around where the actual leak generates from.
Not using enough silicone sealant.
Not allowing the silicone to dry long enough.
Not aligning or placing the glass pane edges flat and evenly together.
Don't make major repairs under humid conditions. Duct tape will not stick to glass when it is humid, therefore, the glass may move before the silicone can set up. Humidity slows the silicone curing process as well.
List of Items Needed for Making Repairs
Single edged razor blades.
Acetone.
A non-Toxic 100% silicone sealant. All-Glass? Brand 100% Silicone Sealant or a similar type aquarium sealant.
Paper towels.
A washable felt tip marker.
For repairing major leaks or building a DIY aquarium, a roll of duct tape
Most often pin hole sized leaks can be fixed from the outside, without having to totally drain or tear the whole tank apart, but for major leaks or glass breakage, this requires some reconstruction of the tank. The good news? Repairing a leak is actually not a difficult task, whether it be a major or a minor one.
Don't use the wrong kind of silicone sealant; use only a non-toxic 100% silicone sealant appropriate for aquarium use.
Not cleaning and preparing the glass surface properly or adequately enough.
Not pinpointing the exact location of where a small leak is coming from. Water will always be present at the bottom of the tank (gravity rules), but the source may be somewhere else up higher or sideways along the joint or seam.
Not repairing a large enough area up, down, or around where the actual leak generates from.
Not using enough silicone sealant.
Not allowing the silicone to dry long enough.
Not aligning or placing the glass pane edges flat and evenly together.
Don't make major repairs under humid conditions. Duct tape will not stick to glass when it is humid, therefore, the glass may move before the silicone can set up. Humidity slows the silicone curing process as well.
List of Items Needed for Making Repairs
Single edged razor blades.
Acetone.
A non-Toxic 100% silicone sealant. All-Glass? Brand 100% Silicone Sealant or a similar type aquarium sealant.
Paper towels.
A washable felt tip marker.
For repairing major leaks or building a DIY aquarium, a roll of duct tape
Frank,
Thanks for asking.
No, we didn't. While cleaning the overflow box/tower, I found out that the back panel is falling apart, for some reason I didn't see it before. So, we had to seal it with the silicon, and now we have to wait for at least another 24 hours. However, I did put about 1/3 of the water in the tank 3 times yesterday, and everything was OK. I also did some water changes in the plastic bins, and I test the water there every day.
Today is going to be a real test. I had to go to work, but at about 6 PM (it is going to be about 27-28 hours after we sealed the overflow), we will put fresh water in the tank little by little, and leave it there for about 3 hours. If everything is going to be OK, we will make the transfer. I hope everything is going to go well.
Thank you very much,
Lana
Thanks for asking.
No, we didn't. While cleaning the overflow box/tower, I found out that the back panel is falling apart, for some reason I didn't see it before. So, we had to seal it with the silicon, and now we have to wait for at least another 24 hours. However, I did put about 1/3 of the water in the tank 3 times yesterday, and everything was OK. I also did some water changes in the plastic bins, and I test the water there every day.
Today is going to be a real test. I had to go to work, but at about 6 PM (it is going to be about 27-28 hours after we sealed the overflow), we will put fresh water in the tank little by little, and leave it there for about 3 hours. If everything is going to be OK, we will make the transfer. I hope everything is going to go well.
Thank you very much,
Lana
- Location
- NY
WE WANT PIX!!! :biggrin:
swimmer
swimmer
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