doodles90210

hi, i have a 110 gallon glass tank. its been set up for a couple months now. It got a drip down the front from under the top frame. Its right where the middle support glass on the top ends. the drip is coming from above the water, but i think water is condensing on the top glass part and trickling through.
Does the tank have to be emptied to patch this leak with silicone? I would think it needs to be dry to patch it. I thought about draining the water down about halfway and letting the seam dry out then patch it. Is there any danger to the fish in the tank? I thought leaks would show before ive had fish in it for 2 months. Well..... whats the best way to fix?

BJP

You may not have to drain the water down halfway if the surface splashing is minnimized. It's always better to start with an empty tank but I've applied silicone to tanks with fish before. Just don't drop any silione directly in the water which can be accomplished. Leave the top open to keep humidity down while it cures and allow plenty of air movement.

Tommy Gun

I would try the silicone as well....not trying to say anything against doing so however....

Depending on the type of tank this is (assuming freshwater, but saltwater tanks would be the exception here I think), you could try to drill some small holes in the glass tops (they are usually acrylic I think...mine are, but if not, they are not tempered glass) to help equalize the temperature above and below the tops to reduce the condensation effects. Saltwater tanks would be the exception in my mind because the tops typically also help to reduce evaporation (to better control salinities), which may be reduced by adding the holes. If the tops are only for keeping fish in the tank, holes wouldnt matter a bit unless you have tiny fish I suppose.