leak testing new 210 gal reef tank

[thetman36]

question how should I leak test my new 210 gal reef tank. Should I fill it with salt water, or RO/DI water or just tap water. how long should I let it sit. If I use Ro/Di water can I then mix my salt right in the tank or if I use salt water and it leaks then I waste all that salt. If I use tap water and there is not leak then I have to empty it all. what should I do?

 

[fishman1069]

Use regular tap to leak test. It won't harm anything and it wont cost you a sh*tload of money to do it. I always leak tested for a week, but thats me

 

[Tonyscoots84]

use regular tap to leak test. It won't harm anything and it wont cost you a sh*tload of money to do it. I always leak tested for a week, but thats me

+1

 

[dubs]

i leak test with tap water also

 

[rambler67]

You should leak test i didn't know that lol. tap is fine i normaly do over night if its going to leak it will over night.

 

[thetman36]

ok one more question i am going to paint the back of the tank black should i use high gloss or semi gloss latex paint. the guy at my local paint store gave me Benjamin more semi gloss. I always just got spray paint high gloss but i can't do that inside the house and i am not lifting this monstrosity so latex i think would work but should i switch it out for high gloss?

 

[duke62]

Bring it outside run a hose in it on top of the stand and check for leaks.leave it for a few hours ,

 

[fishman1069]

It really dosent matter. Afeter all is said and done it will be covered in coraline anyway lol

 

[thirty6]

i think its a matter of preference what sheen you pick, and after awhile it wont really be able to tell anyway. i just painted the back of my tank indoors and used the small skinny roller. i originally was going to use rustoleum paint and asked the paint guy if i could tint it. after a short discussion i left with a can of behr paint, regular wall paint. the paint adhered well but it took 4 coats to really cover properly.

 

[thetman36]

yup i figured it would take about 4 coats.

 

[thetman36]

paint store is closed on sunday so i am using the semi

 

[fishman1069]

It always only took me 2 coats with the restolum fusion spray paint

 

[thetman36]

outside leak testing why didn't i think of that. only issue is i am lugging a 210 gal tank around not sure I have the man power. Maybe i will fill it a little at a time and see how it goes before i fill it all the way.

 

[rambler67]

as far as paint sheen really doesn't matter once it on the tank and you look at it from the inside out it will look like gloss anyway.

 

[ReefWerks]

1) Scrape that glass GOOD before any spraying
2) Use a good cleaner
3)Light coats..running will occur if you lay it on

Good luck!

 

[thetman36]

yup all scraped. I used denatured alcohol its ready to go. I am going to roll on with sponge roller and sponge brush. planning on 4 supper thin coats. Thanks Jonathan!
still can't leak test till i get the stand sorted. Thought i would do my homework early so I would be ready go.

 

[FMF0331]

A buddy of mine used a background that he purchased from "that pet place" it's like putting on window tints - very easy. It comes in blue or black. Somewhere around $4.95 per foot. I'm very happy with the end result.

 

[thetman36]

glad that worked out. One bubble or piece of dust or hair between the tint and the glass and you will see it. used it once but i guess the glass was not clean enough because there was this one spot that i noticed and it bugged the #$% out of me.

 

[thetman36]

the tank was dropped off at my house my lfs. I am not doing the build for another few weeks so the tank had to come inside. Sorry if i sounded like i was being obnoxious i really was not.

 

[thetman36]

so back to the paint. I left the glass behind the overflows bare. this way if i have to see inside for whatever reason i can just peek in from the back.