Was wondering, how do you check if an aquarium wont leak. I mean, my friend for example, has a fish tank and suddenly one day...it just bursts...40 gallons of water, fish waste, and water creatures all over the rug, not to mention three of his kids wanting to see what would happen if they step on one of them.
I guess my reason is that a friend recently gave me a used tank and I know the best way is to fill it up and see if it leaks, but what if it doesn't leak now but leaks later while i'm away...
How do you know if ur tank wont leak...at least for a longgg time? (Other than buying a brand new one...)
How To Check An Aquarium
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YuccaPatrol
- Shrimp Master
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They do not usually burst suddenly. They start leaking very slowly and then burst later. I don't know the exact details of the tank bursting scenario you mentioned, but I would guess that those 3 children may have had something to do with it if it was a sudden shattering event.
If you want to be 99% sure (nothing is 100%), you should re-caulk your tank. It is easy and is great cheap insurance to make sure that a used tank is not a ticking timebomb.
Other fish related forums would have better information about how to go about this.
But the quick method is this:
1) Scrape old silicone out of the corners
2) Clean with rubbing alcohol
3) Re-caulk using aquarium safe caulk. You can buy either the expensive stuff in the pet/fish store or the exact same thing at Wal-Mart or Home Depot if you buy the GE Silicone I type silicone.
I was just given a 55 gallon tank and it will be redone before I use it for anything.
If you want to be 99% sure (nothing is 100%), you should re-caulk your tank. It is easy and is great cheap insurance to make sure that a used tank is not a ticking timebomb.
Other fish related forums would have better information about how to go about this.
But the quick method is this:
1) Scrape old silicone out of the corners
2) Clean with rubbing alcohol
3) Re-caulk using aquarium safe caulk. You can buy either the expensive stuff in the pet/fish store or the exact same thing at Wal-Mart or Home Depot if you buy the GE Silicone I type silicone.
I was just given a 55 gallon tank and it will be redone before I use it for anything.
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badflash
- Master Shrimp Nut
- Posts: 2542
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2005 1:06 pm
- Location: Wappingers Falls, NY
- Contact:
For a 1st check set it on a counter and fill it with water. If it holds for a day or two you are probably good.
Tanks burst due to stress. Something sharp or hard pushing down on a glass bottom for months will eventually do it. Be sure you have something to cushion hard sharp objects like rocks from the bottom.
Be sure the tank is well supported a tank that is not will be stressed and over time this will break the glass.
On a used tank be sure to look for the obvious like cracks and deep scratches.
Tanks burst due to stress. Something sharp or hard pushing down on a glass bottom for months will eventually do it. Be sure you have something to cushion hard sharp objects like rocks from the bottom.
Be sure the tank is well supported a tank that is not will be stressed and over time this will break the glass.
On a used tank be sure to look for the obvious like cracks and deep scratches.
As others said, make sure it's fully supported. If it's over 100g, it's a good idea to use cork sheeting or polystyrene to add support under the bottom glass.
Make sure the stand is 100% level and not bowed. Never leave edges of the tank dangling over the edge of a stand.
If you really are paranoid, get an acrylic tank, they won't break.
Make sure the stand is 100% level and not bowed. Never leave edges of the tank dangling over the edge of a stand.
If you really are paranoid, get an acrylic tank, they won't break.