Tank leaking from/at under top rim - 75g (1 Viewer)

[PygmyAngel]

I have a problem w/ my 75g (other than hair algae, etc., yes...): the tank is leaking pretty bad (not streaming water, but steady salty leak) at the top where the lip is - like underneath/at the bottom edge of the black rim/lip. It's pretty steady, and it's smearing salt and water down the front of the tank. Does anyone know how I can resolve this? Can I put some silicone where it's leaking? I don't want to screw up the tank, but the canopy covers that top rim of the tank, so the silicone wouldn't be visible when looking at it...would that be bad for the tank? Or would it even work? Oh, and I think it's leaking out of the lip some on the back of the tank too. Maybe I should reinforce the lip all the way around w/ silicone or something? (If so, I might need help, as I don't want to screw it up....) But I need to do something now, because the leaking is pretty constant...
I was trying to take a picture this morning to show everyone what it looks like, but my batteries need charging, so no picture yet...anyway, I could use some feedback asap, so I can nip this in the bud.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[ShaneV]

How high is your water level? In my tank the water level is about 3/4" away from the top. Is near a corner or in the center of the tank?

 

[lesd]

Seems like I remember reading something that said silicone has to cure for 24 hours before you can put it underwater. If that's true, you'd have to lower the tank level for a full day while you silicone the joint between the tank rim and glass and then wait for it to dry.

-- Les

 

[Guest]

sounds like your tank might have to much water in it. I keep my water level half way up the black trim.

 

[PygmyAngel]

I do keep the water level above the black rim. Guess I could lower it. The leak is not on the corner; it's on the front right half. From the right edge of the tank, it's about 6" to the left.

I just don't like to see the water level below the black rim, then I think it's too low, as I can see the water line. I don't like to see a water line...but if that causes the leak, guess can keep the water below that line...

Should I not silicone it, and just keep the water level lower? Would it screw up the look of the tank to put silicone on it then?

Kim

 

[Guest]

is your tank level? I think it might be touching the black plastic on the inside somewhere.

What I think Leaf and shane are suggesting is for the water level to be hidden under the black trim, but still lower than the top of the tank. Most tank trim is an inch wide for this reason. If the water level gets too high (touching the plastic trim on the inside) it is moving via capillary action to the front of the tank.

In the pic, plastic is black, glass is green, water is blue.

 

[Guest]

surf is right on what i was saying. I dont see my water line. if you like it like that then i would suggest siliconing the inside and leaving the water line low for a few days giving time for it to dry.

 

[basiljm]

Tank leaking from/at under of rim

I had that happen and used the underwater epoxy, tucked up under
the tank rim, to stop the leak. It dries when wet so easy deal.
Lowering the water level sould work too and redirecting any
return out-flows away from the problem area if possible.

HTH
Basil

 

[PygmyAngel]

Thanks so much guys. I was thinking of siliconing on outside, but duh, guess it makes sense to do it on the inside....I'll look into lowering the level enough to do that and put on some underwater epoxy / silicone stuff.

Thanks.