I'm down....but someone is still kicking me...

oogpister · 06-09-2008, 07:18 PM

Some of you may have been following my trials under the thread "AAArrrggghhh!" I have now reached a point that I need some opinions. I got my tank set up. I started the cycle (just one day into it). Guess what? My tank has a leak. I suspect all that moving it to clean it compromised one of the seams. So NOW what? Do I persevere? So far this is what I have invested.Not counting my blood,sweat and tears. I paid $50 for the tank, stand and penguin 200 biowheel filter. I bought 4 other filters for the penguin ~$15. I bought 60# of gravel at approx. $60. I bought $70 worth of decorations, a $30 master test kit, a python ($30), airstones ($20). Still need a new hood, light, heater. And fish. Do I get out now? Do I try and fix this tank? Do I buy another tank? (petsmart has a 56 with stand hood and light for $229) where do I go from here?

Judge · 06-09-2008, 08:58 PM

OH Oogpister I am so sorry. You have had a time of it. Hang in there. Personally I would opt for the new tank just to err on side of caution. You've come so far just to give up now would be a real shame. Later when all this is past and your viewing your beautiful tank it will all be worth it. Hang in there and keep us posted.

Tommy Gun · 06-09-2008, 09:31 PM

I am sorry to hear about your troubles as well ooogpister

Perhaps Judge can give you a few more finite details about this (e.g. consumer rights/"lemon" laws) but - and sorry if I should already know better - if this is an aquarium that you recently purchased from a store like Petsmart, then you might want to try returning it as being defective, or perhaps contact the manufacturer to see if they will stand behind their product.

If that isn't an option though, if you can find the location of the leak, it is possible to pick up the same/similar variety of silicone used to make the tank in the first place and fix it yourself. IME, it can be tricky to get the hang of making a repair that is aestethic at first but otherwise, it is easy to use and dries quickly (the stuff I have used before says it is dry in 24 hours and water can be added again after 48 hours). In fact, after a completely boneheaded move on my part, I was able to buy myself a couple of days by using this stuff to stop leaking from a long crack in my biocube so, IME and IMHO, it is worth a try if you have no other immediate options.

oogpister · 06-10-2008, 09:38 AM

okay,in the light of a new day, I have a plan of action. I drained the tank down to about 1/4. The leak appears to have been above that. I suspect in the last few inches toward the top, as it didn't leak before I raised my water level. I am going to give it a shot at repair. If I do that and it doesn't work out, it will at least allow me time to figure out what size and footprint tank to get. Plus I need to figure out about the filter,etc. because the one I have will most likely not be enough for a larger tank. The tank I have is used, I got it from a friend. She had no knowledge of a leak. Its tall and narrow (36wx20hx12d) so not the best footprint from what I've read. But I thought it would at least get our feet wet... (sorry, couldn't help myself).

so what would be a good tank to start with? at least a 55, more of a cube than rectangle? wider and shorter? suggestions? and where to look, LPS? internet?

also need to mention this is on the second floor

drfong · 06-10-2008, 11:27 AM

Sorry, but if the leak is that close to the top I would drain the water down below it, by a few inches. Get some good aquarium sealant and give it a try. Nothing to lose. Just make sure it is good and cured before raising the water level. The best part is a lower water level can actually help the cycle process. It creates more air and water movement.

nyrmel · 06-10-2008, 02:06 PM

the sealant isnt to hard to work with and I keep a tube on hand since.... well you never know if you are worried about a mess visit a hardware store and get a caulking tool (ask for help if you dont know what they look like) this can help you make a cleaner seal as it kinda scrapes and shapes as well as helps get it in the crack the best. Just a thot I thot I would throw out there

Tommy Gun · 06-10-2008, 07:44 PM

Obviously I agree with everyone else about the sealant idea...I also don't think a big mess is a real problem because the stuff does not 'set' instantly like crazy glue (although some of it comes in a similar looking 'tube). In fact, if you have a mess, you can allow it to dry for a couple hours and use a razor blade to trim/remove anything unsightly. If I understand things correctly, you also have the advantage of not having any fish to worry about right now.

However, if you decide to go with another aquarium, the size, shape, and 'footprint' would depend on what fish you ultimately have in mind.

RJRofFL · 06-14-2008, 09:47 AM

Jumping in a little late here, oogpister, but keep your chin up, tighten the bootstraps, and boldly keep going.

Everyone here has given you the best advice.

I'm just posting to give you moral support. I know all too well the feelings you are going through. When I first re-started, after over $200 initial investment (not counting fish or supplies), I proceded with lack of knowledge to cycle with Bio Spira (which cost me $40 - $20 product + $20 to ship it) only to find out I neglected to add any ammonia, so the bacteria died.
I then preceded to go with just ammonia, and can tell you that in a month's time (again, lack of knowledge) I had concocted an ammonia cocktail, which if it had been alcohol, would have rivaled Anheuser Bush Brewery!
Needless to say, I started over again.

So, I can feel your pain, my friend, and know very well the word AAArrrggghhh!

Keep pluggin away.

Bob

oogpister · 06-14-2008, 12:13 PM

thanks so much for all of your support and encouragement. I confirmed yesterday that YES the tank does indeed have a leak, I thought maybe I just got sloppy filling it. I haven't found the leak. it only leaks when the water level is up to the frame level. I saw the water on the floor, and in the bottom frame, but could not find a leak on the outside, it was all dry. I wonder if just the weight and pressure of that extra few gallons of water makes the bottom leak? Still not positive on what I am going to do. I guess I will empty the tank completely and see what I can find. Can I remove the frames and not do any damage (when the tank is empty of course) Other than that, I suppose I will search for a 55 gal stand that is low cost. There is a tank at the lps for just over $100, if I dare put that much weight on the second floor....

E46er · 06-14-2008, 01:38 PM

if you look around you can find small tanks dirt cheep brand new 33 for 50 bux 55 G for 85 bux and these are brand new at LFS.

the weight issue on the second floor is no problem. you figure a 55 G (48x12) tank will weigh 550 pounds apporx when full over 4 square feet is 576 inches thats only 0.95 PSI and the gf or wifey walks upstairs in high heels, steillos, i figure the heel itself is 0.5 square inches max so for the second just the heel tip not the ball of her foot is on the floor even a small girl 100 pounds thats still putting 200 PSI on the floor that floor will hold the tank NO PROBLEM