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I left my fish tanks for a couple of days, and when I came back there was roughly a gallon missing from my 20 gallon tank. There is water on the floor and the desk. The water appeared to come from the top back part of the tank. It doesn't appear to have any cracks or other defects. Any suggestions for an approach? Thanks!!!

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

First check if it's actually the tank leaking. I've had a filter leak before. If everything else is perfectly fine, then assume it's your tank.

Empty it and transfer all the fish and things out just like you would if there WERE cracks and defects before any actually form or become obvious. Water pressure can be a pretty powerful thing.

To test if your tank is actually leaking, you can dry it off, put it in a bathtub on top of some newspaper, and fill it up with water. If you come back later and there's no wet paper, then your tank is not leaking.

Last edited by Shinigami at 28-May-2005 11:00

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

A word of caution before you try that suggestion of Shini's. Human bathtubs are curved. You'll need to find some means of supporting the aquarium in the bathtub so that [1] it sits on a flat surface (with polystyrene foam tiles underneath to ensure pressure equalisation on the tank bottom, or you'll generate a new leak that wasn't there!) and [2] sits level in the bathtub. Lay your newspaper under the support, then carefully fill your aquarium, taking care not to wet the newspaper beforehand. Then, for good measure, toss something that will colour the water, such as Methylene Blue, into the aquarium.

Now, leave the setup for 5-6 hours. If you get blue stains on your newspaper (using Methylene Blue in the aquarium), bingo, you have a tank leak. If you don't, then it's time to check external filters and other ancillary equipment associated with the suspect aquarium.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Meth blue will never leave your bathtub grout. Don't use it. I agree that a coloring agent can be used, and that the newspaper will absorb some of the liquid, but say the tank leaks excessively and it soaks through the paper, then you're screwed. Believe me, I know from personal experience. My walls, behind a layer of white paint, are permanately light turquoise.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 28-May-2005 19:55

oh cup of life:%)it will come out after oh a million baths or so and who doesn't like a blue spotted tub:%)

it will come out but it will take a long time, that is the reason for putting the paper down beneath it...

Also I once thought that my tank was leaking, and come to find out the pump with hosing started siphoning out of the tank instead of blowing into the tank...check your pump and see if that isn't it...

There are tons of things it could be, trust me i've experienced too many of them to name and most of them very recently:%)

It could be the fishies got really frisky and splashed a lot while you were gone as well

heidi

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

Ah, Cali mentioned a good point. I forgot that since the tub I tested a filter for leaks has a flat bottom.:%)

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Instead of meth. blue why not just pick up a bottle of good ol' food colouring from the grocery store? It shouldn't stain the tub as long as you don't use more than a gallon of it and should be harmless to the fish after a good rinsing.

Just to be sure I checked the ingredient list:

Water
Propylene Glycol
Colour
Citric Acid
Sodium Benzoate

Harmless but I would give it a rinse after.

I forgot that since the tub I tested a filter for leaks has a flat bottom.

How does all the water drain out?

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Perhaps it's one of those plastic baby bathtubs ...

I know my bath has very ounced curvature and a slope toward the plughole end. Which is why I don't place glass tanks in it. All-in-one plastic aquaria, however, are fine: one of my Java Moss colonies is living in there right now


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

How does all the water drain out?

That's a good question...

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

my tub has a flat bottom its just slightly tilted, only near the drain is it curved

Ok so here is an up date on my leaky tank. I cleaned up all the water which was only about one gallon. Then I removed the backing which was wet, causing me to beleave that the water came from the back-top of the tank. I let the tank sit over night and no water came from where I thought it was coming from. The next day I filled up the missing water and every thing seems to be alright.

I am guessing it was caused by either a filter to lid issue or my fish got out of hand an did some crazy splashing. The lader might be a little out there being I only have four small barbs and a small clown pleco in the tank. Thanks for everyones help. Great as normal!!

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