LEAK!
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: EMERGENCY FORUM
Forum Description: If you have an Emergency post here and you should receive a quick reply.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62414
Printed Date: July 08 2026 at 10:33pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: LEAK!
Posted By: mermaidcamille
Subject: LEAK!
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 7:08am
The seem of my 135 popped a pinhole sized leak. I filled it with the only thing I could think of...superglue. It is holding, but ....now what? Thank You Monday Morning.------------- 135g...D.E.A.D Welcome bright and shiny 120! |
Replies:
Posted By: JohnnyHeavens
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 7:12am
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bummer! Is it high enough you could bring the water level down to work on it? ------------- @Home 300g System 150g-Cube Reef+60g Frag+WaterChange 150g Tall FOWLR RIP @Work RSM 130D w/LEDs txt anytime @ eightO1-seven5five-eighteen99 Scuba! PADI Pro DM/AI/TecDeep NSS/CDS-Full Cave Diver |
Posted By: mermaidcamille
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 7:19am
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It is about 1/2 down. The tank is 3 feet tall. It is possible...but would be ridiculous.
------------- 135g...D.E.A.D Welcome bright and shiny 120! |
Posted By: Pete Moss
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:16am
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Honestly, I would fix it. It really sucks to drain your reef down to half, but my friend had a similar experience and the super glue he tried to use to fix it did not last. The last thing you want is that pin-sized hole to become a burst seam. ------------- 125g 90g 2x33g 34g What stores do I recommend? Up North: Bill ( Saltwater Paradise 801-317-8115 ) Down South: Jerry ( Reef On 801-563-0600 ) Member of GCFB |
Posted By: ClownFishAddict
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:31am
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Scares the heck outta me even reading about leaks because I am in an upstairs apartment. But on another note this gives you a chance to upgrade your tank. If it were me I would find a replacement tank or upgraded tank and go that route. Fixing a small part of a tank makes no sense to me. it's like putting a band-aid over a gunshot wound.
------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61789&title=ok-here-it-goes-my-redneck-120-rimless-build" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: mermaidcamille
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:32am
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So if I did drain it to that point, then what?
------------- 135g...D.E.A.D Welcome bright and shiny 120! |
Posted By: Pete Moss
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:33am
It depends if the hole is in the silicone ( which I'm assuming it is ) or the glass. There is no point tossing out perfectly fine glass because the seam has a small leak. If you know how to strip the silicone and re-seal it, why would you get rid of the glass? The gunshot wound is in the silicone, so completely replace that  ------------- 125g 90g 2x33g 34g What stores do I recommend? Up North: Bill ( Saltwater Paradise 801-317-8115 ) Down South: Jerry ( Reef On 801-563-0600 ) Member of GCFB |
ClownFishAddict wrote:Posted By: Pete Moss
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:34am
Camille, is the leak in the seam? where the silicone runs? Cutting out the old silicone, and running a new bead of silicone should solve the leak. You will have to keep the water level below the new silicone until it has cured however. ------------- 125g 90g 2x33g 34g What stores do I recommend? Up North: Bill ( Saltwater Paradise 801-317-8115 ) Down South: Jerry ( Reef On 801-563-0600 ) Member of GCFB |
Posted By: mermaidcamille
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:35am
In theory this is a great option... with a baby set to arrive in 5 weeks this isn't even on my reality chart. Maybe later this year. ------------- 135g...D.E.A.D Welcome bright and shiny 120! |
Posted By: ClownFishAddict
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:40am
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No disrespect intended to anyone here but what I meant is to replace/repair one section of old silicone is one thing but all the silicone on the tank is just as old and has the same chance of failing. What if you replace the silicone on that seam and another pops up? not good. All I am saying is if there is a bad seam of silicone I personally would either get another tank or find out a way to reseal the entire tank. emptying the tank half way to repair a seal is pointless in my opinion. That is probably just me though, I was always taught if your going to do a job then do it right the first time so you don't have to do it again. just my $.02
------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61789&title=ok-here-it-goes-my-redneck-120-rimless-build" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Pete Moss
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:46am
All depends on the situation. Multiple times I've seen bristleworms dig into the silicone ( which causes pinpoint leaks like camille described ) which has nothing to do with the age of the silicone. Your two cents is a good two cents! It never hurts to have more than one brain working on something.
I was just looking at what options would work best for Camille for the time being. ------------- 125g 90g 2x33g 34g What stores do I recommend? Up North: Bill ( Saltwater Paradise 801-317-8115 ) Down South: Jerry ( Reef On 801-563-0600 ) Member of GCFB |
Posted By: mermaidcamille
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:47am
It is in the seem and it is tiny. ------------- 135g...D.E.A.D Welcome bright and shiny 120! |
Posted By: mermaidcamille
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:48am
Oh I agree, I just am not in a position to make that happen is all. I would love a new tank  ------------- 135g...D.E.A.D Welcome bright and shiny 120! |
Posted By: ClownFishAddict
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:53am
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You could try to put a new seam on the inside and outside if you took the water level to about 1 inch below the pinhole. putting the silicone on then pushing it through the pinhole with your finger. Let dry then fill it back up but I think I would stop using superglue. I am not sure if it will eat the silicone or damage it more. Pete I was not aware that she was having a baby or was unable to replace the tank itself my apologies. I get a little carried away sometimes. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61789&title=ok-here-it-goes-my-redneck-120-rimless-build" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Pete Moss
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:56am
It's not a problem, I wasn't angry or anything :P ------------- 125g 90g 2x33g 34g What stores do I recommend? Up North: Bill ( Saltwater Paradise 801-317-8115 ) Down South: Jerry ( Reef On 801-563-0600 ) Member of GCFB |
Posted By: hydro phoenix
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:57am
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Camille, do you want Aaron and I to come over and do it for you? We can be there as early as tomorrow afternoon. I think the earlier you get this done the better. It'll be smelly for a bit but the problem will hopefully be solved. ------------- recent absurdity..Unicorns have rabies |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 9:22am
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Just super glue it and be done. Maybe epoxy, no worries ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: JohnnyHeavens
Date Posted: February 25 2013 at 1:17pm
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Ya, glue it and seal it. After all, it's what silicone does. I'd let those offering to come help with it. Even if it's temporary, it's better than a leak :) ------------- @Home 300g System 150g-Cube Reef+60g Frag+WaterChange 150g Tall FOWLR RIP @Work RSM 130D w/LEDs txt anytime @ eightO1-seven5five-eighteen99 Scuba! PADI Pro DM/AI/TecDeep NSS/CDS-Full Cave Diver |