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OK I finally got the nerve and patience to reseal the 55 gallon on Friday. I waited the 48+ hrs for it to cure, and last night before going out I added about 6 inches of water (15 gallons?). When I got home 5 hrs later it was still holding, so I filled it half way up 10-12 inches? (about 25-30 gallons) and went to bed truly expecting to find the water in the floor when I got up this morning, but as of 7 it was still holding tight...

So now I'm thinking I'll go ahead and set it up with the filtration (don't know which one right now) I'm considering moving my fluval to the tank and know it would be overrated for the tank, but would be better than underrated, right? I'm not going to put in any gravel quite yet, as I am still skeptical of breaking the seal But, how long would ya'll wait before moving fish into it?

I know I should let it cycle, but am not going to wait that long I'll just have to keep up with the small water changes each day for now. My main concern is to get the fish that are still in the 125 out so I can treat the tank for the leeches And as I've already overstocked both the 29 and 20 that I have running, I need a place for the rest of my bottom feeders, and whatall...I don't want to take the chance the seal won't hold, yet I want to be able to get the guys out of the tank and treat the other tank before I lose my mind or them to the leeches...

So how long would ya'll wait? I'm thinking top it off and add filtration (if I go with the canister then it is coming from the 125 and is seeded, so will help with the cycling) tonight and assuming my neighbor and I don't wake up with a puddle in our livingrooms I'll add the fish tomorrow...sound good to everyone else? I guess I just don't want to lose anymore fish to a bad seal though I know I put enough sealant on this stupid tank, and it is holding steady now...comments?

PS Should I go and get some plywood to fit the stand and under the tank? I wouldn't mind draining and refilling if it means making it sturdier...

Thanks, heidi


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"Is it possible,
That we are each others soul mates
and when there is a man
they are just there for added enjoyment?"--SITC
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"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

You should drain the tank no matter what heidi. You should thoroughly rinse the tank to remove any residue or oils left from resealing. Once you add the new water allow the tank to sit for at least 24 hours, then drain and refill. By doing this you are making sure that you have no toxins in the tank. Allowing the water to sit in the tank allows anything which wants to leach into the water to do so, and then be tossed out. (pardon the use of the word leach, hehe)

Heidi,

Just to be on the safe side I would let the tank run for at least a week fully setup as you are planning to have it with gravel and all decorations to insure that any stresses on the seals will not cause any more problems.

I think at this point I would be overly cautious as I know you wouldn't want to lose any more fish to a leak.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Let's hope that everything holds and nothing leaches out, because anymore talk of leeches and leaks is going to drive me crazy:%) And heck I still want some metae fry

Last edited by pugperson at 20-Jun-2005 20:52

OK so tonight when I go home I'll drain the tank again and refill again (hey it's not my water bill) and tomorrow morning I'll do it again Then I'll be setting up 1/2 of the UGF with light gravel and a powerhead...and then move all my critters to the tank...

Trust me Jim I don't want to lose anymore fish to a leak anymore, and I really would hate to lose any to anything leaching out into the water But, I don't want to lose them to overstocking the other tanks as well...

So Tanker, I've bought some parasite medication that contains copper in it, and will be treating the 125 with that in hopes of curing my leech problemif this doesn't help I'll be calling you up, you want to help me with doing salt dips? But first I'll try copper treatment for parasites; it's what Dan (used to be at The Village) suggested before going through the salt treatment, so I'm willing to try it, I really hate the thought of dipping everyone and everything in salt

So everyone cross your fingers and say a prayer, I think the tank is going to hold I put in a total of about 40 gallons 5 hrs ago and all is well...but keep praying I need it

I'll update ya'll on how it goes, heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Hiedi,

Sounds like you are having some crazy times on your hands. I did a tank a few years back and did a few rinses and everything turned out find. I wish you the best of luck....

God's speed!

Doug

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Heidi

Some very good advice here go with the caution side and be safe. Dont worry about the over stock add more water movement (air stones) and change twice a week.

Have I missed some thing along the line? What are you doing about the old Substrate, & rocks etc.

If it was me I would cut my losses and toss them all out just in case there are any eggs from the nasties.

I fully realize this could be rather costly but it will be far cheaper than if the problem comes back?

Have you established where these things come from?

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Never did figure out where they came from, and I have thought about tossing the gravel, but if I do then I'll have to go bare bottom till the fall, I just can't think about having to replace all of it right now, not knowing if I will have a contract so I'm trying to save the money I figure I'll dose with the copper meds twice like it's directions say, and stir up the gravel to aggravate everything in it. I still won't put anything back into the tank till I know for sure there isn't anything in there...

As it is I am doing water changes of 10-20% daily, and the ammonia and all is still too high So I really have no choice but to try the 55 gallon tank...The problem was that the 20 and 29 were close to capacity before I even tried putting everyone from teh 125 into them...at first I thought I might get away with it, but it's just too much of a load for the tanks to handle...so I'm gonna go with the 55 and hope all will hold...I can't just sit on the 55 and say well I'll try it later, I have to have some trust in the new seal, don't I? And like I said it's only going to be a light bit of gravel to cover the filter plates since I have found that I need to treat the canisters with the medication as well, just incase...I swear I am beginning to hate this stupid tank...I really am...it's is causing so much headache...or maybe it's fishkeeping in general This has just been a year of heartache and headache...december lost 75% of my guppies, may lost all of my cichlids, and now fighting with leeches, if it weren't for the fact that I enjoy the fact I can get away and play with the tanks I would give up right now, but it's just not my style

Still hoping things work out on my part, heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

OK as I promised earlier here is the update...

I now have 1/2 the tank set up with a UGF ran by a powerhead and an airpump...all together I might have 10-15 lbs of gravel, it is only 1/4 to 1/2 an inch thick, which is a lot thinner than I normally would go, but am still not sure about trusting this ]:| tank...

Did you know that it can take over an hour to drain 40 gallons of water from a tank, but only 30 minutes to fill it with 55 gallonsBut, I suppose if the seal wasn't sealed it would have emptied a whole lot fasterso that is something to be happy aboutbut it is still going to sit and run until tomorrow evening to prove to me that it isn't going to leak as soon as I put the babies in it...

So that is the update, all I can honestly say is I am thankful that I have a python, and that I replaced the piece that I broke last weekand so far I haven't had to go and remop the livingroom floor again, and take the carpet cleaner over to the neighbors to pull up water from his carpetsAnd I have counted at least 6 more metae fry in the tankand this is without really looking and saw all of them at one time, so I suspect that there are maybe 10 or so of them in the tank

I can't wait for this to be overwith, I've had enough...and just to think once I've treated the 125 and waited the week or so for the meds to be sure they have done their job, I get to do a 50% wc on it:%), and start recycling the tank if it crashes:%)So if anyone happens to see me running around insane, or catches what is left of my sanity, please hold onto it for me, until this is finished, I'd appreciate it...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Heidi

Then I would boil the living day lights out of it then. This could be better than adding chemicals as you would have to remove all traces of the chemicals.

I have said it many times "Think twice act once"

All the best Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Ok as of this morning, I still had water in the 55 gallon without leaksDrained again and refilled again, really getting tired of draining and refillingbut it's for the best

Tomorrow I guess I'll get up the guts and and move the remaining guys out of the 125 and put them into the 55 gallon

Then I will treat the tank, with the parasite meds...it is safe for fish except for leeches, snails, and clown loaches or fry might have trouble...

Then after filling and soaking and draining a few times, i probably will just bake the gravel or boil it to be sure...

I know adding the meds could always cause trouble, but I will be filling and emptying a few times once they have done the job *shrug* and then yes, doing something with the gravel to double check...

It is just going to be a long haul I guess until I get the tank back up and running:#(

Anyone game on helping me do the boiling and baking, and filling and emptying? I'm so glad I don't pay waterand really glad that I have a python to help in this...

update again tomorrow or whenever, heidi



"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Still waiting for the metae.....impatient tapping...oh well, when you transfer the fry, maybe you will find some big enough for a new home.

Bad news Heidi came home to about 40g of water in her livingroom. Sure am glad that she did not add any fish. At least there is a small blessing in that. Maybe that tank is cursed.

O NOOO that sux soooooo much. im so sorry for u

Yes, I do believe that tank is cursed...if it isn't well, let's just say it's been cursed at plenty]:|

It was a small blessing that I hadn't put the fish in it yet...and I guess it is good, now I don't need to mop again

Anyone want a piece of poo 55 gallon fish tank? I can guarantee it won't hold water

So now I am to check out the 20 gallon long and see if it will hold waterwhere I'm going to put it is beyond meGotta move the fish so I can treat the dang tank]:|

heidi



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Well boy meets girl and it's a good bet
Girl's gonna play a little hard to get
But they both got the same thing on their mind
Ain't that the way that the world goes round
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"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

sounds like your having a bit of bad luck houston i have never tried to reseal a tank and dont think i would like to try. you are braver than i am