Fish Tank Leaking (almost). Need Advise, please.

[YSS]

My 265G tank appears to be developing a leak at the bottom seal. I just noticed it this morning. Parts of the bottom seal appears to came apart from the glass and I see water between the seal and the tank. Water is not leaking, but there is water. Has anyone had similar issues? Can I leave the tank like this for a while? I can't be sure how long this was going on as I don't really pay close attention to the tank on a daily basis. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Marz]

It's not going to explode but I'd reseal it ASAP.

 

[chriscoli]

are you sure that's where the water is coming from? I've had small drips from the top rim sneak down and show up like that. In one case, it was a leak near the top corner, in another case, I came to close to the top when I filled the tank.

 

[FormulatedFire]

I would dry out the seam using cotton or paper towels and see how fast it refills just incase it came from a splash over or water change.

If it is leaking I'd reseal it ASAP! 265 gallons is alotttt of water to come home to on your floor.

 

[Becca]

Usually, when I see something like this, it's coming from a leak near the top and dripping down the side. I have a 10 gallon that does this in the fish room and has a small leak somewhere in the top inch of the tank. I've drawn a line on it so I know where I can fill it to.

 

[YSS]

Thanks for the responses. I think I found the problem. I've had issues with this tank dripping water from the top brace in front of the tank. You can see the water mark in the picture near where water is currently dripping. What's odd is that even when water is below where the top brace is, water finds its way up and drip down outside. I just saw water dripping in the front and into the front seam. Water is at least two inches below the brace. I think I am ok for now.

 

[Becca]

Spray bar?

 

[Marz]

Or condensation water if the tank has a lid.

 

[Frank Cowherd]

Capillary action can allow water to go above the water line in the tank and then create a siphon action that results in a slow drip on the outside of the tank. This usually happens when the silicon seal at the top of the tank no longer adheres to the glass in one place or another. I have this on my 180 gallon and have not figured out how to stop it. Resealing it where the leak is does not work for me, maybe because the water migrates under the seal to the point where I see it drip. It stops when the water level gets below the seal.

 

[Becca]

Capillary action can allow water to go above the water line in the tank and then create a siphon action that results in a slow drip on the outside of the tank. This usually happens when the silicon seal at the top of the tank no longer adheres to the glass in one place or another. I have this on my 180 gallon and have not figured out how to stop it. Resealing it where the leak is does not work for me, maybe because the water migrates under the seal to the point where I see it drip. It stops when the water level gets below the seal.

This happens on our 210 because of cracks/grooves in the top rim. We have to be careful to ensure the water comes nowhere near the inner lip. If we don't set our outputs quite right there surface movement cam because water to start seeping up and out through those cracks.

 

[YSS]

Capillary action is the most logical explanation, but I don't really see where this could even happen. There is absolutely no water dripping today. May be I need to keep the water level little bit lower going forward. Thanks for all the comments. Greatly appreciate it.

 

[F8LBITE]

Yikes! I hope its just a false alarm bro!

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

I have a 40 breeder that this happens in also, could even happen from evaporation and condensation, so rates won't always be consistent, but lower water level is the easiest and best bet. I've never been able to remove a top frame without breaking the glass, so seems like something that just has to be managed unless it can be drained and extra sealant applied, but that doesn't seem practical in this case.