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Ok, so I might not be able to get many replies from people who've actually had a metaframe but I'm not sure that it matters too much. The frame of course presents a problem in locating leaks because the water drips along inside the frame until it finds a spot it can come out. What I really want to know is, if you can fill the tank to a certain point with no water leakage and then fill it a little more and then it starts leaking a little, is it safe to say that the leak is indeed above where it was previously filled to or is there some other possibilities that I can't think of? I ask this because I'm apparently bad at resealing tanks, am missing a spot somewhere or just am off at where it's leaking from entirely. Thanks if you can offer any sort of help.
Mary

Last edited by castlequest at 25-Jun-2005 18:14

If you fill a tank to a certain point, say halfway, and nothing drips it is safe to say the leak is above that water level. You will want to make sure, with the metal frame, that you allow enough time for any leaking to take place before raising the water level. Once you have raised the water level enough(should be done slowly, or by 1-2 inch increments) to obtainn leakage it is safe to assume that the leak is somewhere in the increment you last filled. I suggest you mark it to make finding the leak easier. Make sure you leave enough time for leakage to occur. Then, once you know what level the leak occured you know where to concentrate your search. Or you could just reseal the whole thing. good luck

Thank you, I decided last night just to try resealing that whole side. I already resealed the whole tank but apparently missed something.

castlequest

Is it a putty seal or sylcone.

If it is putty and old there is only one cure take the glass out and reseal if possible.

By doing this 99% of the time the glass will break anyway.

Personally I would remove all the glass buy new glass and start from scratch.

If it is leaking from one location it will leak somewhere else sooner or later.

Keith

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Hi,
As I recall the old days, the tanks were sealed with a
substance that resembled a black tar. The way you removed
the tar was by heating it to soften it, and then working
the glass loose from the tar and frame.
The tanks were assembled with the sides first and then
the slate or glass bottom was installed to hold the sides
in place. Reverse the process to safely remove the sides.

Since I assume you are going to replace the stuff with
modern aquarium silicone, be sure that you scrape the
old sealant off with a safety razor, and then wipe the
glass with a solivent that will remove any trace of oils
(body oil, etc.) and then apply a bead of silicone.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

As far as the question goes, is it safe to assume that the leak is not say on the bottom 50% of the area that is already filled, when it starts leaking above that area of filling, i'd say NO

It took me filling my 55 gallon 1/2 way up (about 30 gallons worth) to find the leak in the seal on the bottom, sometimes it is strictly the pressure that makes it leak...as far as resealing goes listen to Keith and Frank, they are both good...

But, let me add a bit of adviceunless you want to chance having say 55 gallons of water again in the livingroom, just go get another oneI resealed the stupid tank, and it held for a week full of water, and bang I came home from a job interviewto a 55 gallon pond again in the livingroom, the plus this time was there were no fish involved...

Either way get some help resealing or carrying in the new tank...

heidi

ps, this is talking about the older tanks that didn't have the exposed edges of glasses up the sides, right? They were covered in something (metal i think?)...I remember thosehave a scar on my forehead from the fry tank, when i was little hml






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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That's just the cold hard truth
I still throw a few back, talk a little smack
When I'm feeling bullet proof
So don't double dog dare me now
'Cause I'd have to call your bluff
I ain't as good as I once was,
But am as good once as I ever was
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"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

I don't really want a new tank, I wanted this because I like the look of the old ones.
I've been using aquarium sealant on the inside after I scraped anything i could find off the inside, the original tar sealant is on the outside of course but I didn't think it'd matter since that's not where the silicone is going.
Thanks for all your advice, I don't think I'll be able to take the tank apart to reseal it. I can hardly drag the thing. How did they heat the tanks to take them apart out of curiousity?
I met someone in Aquachat named Petals that said to put tar on the inside and insisted it was fish safe. That seems overly messy sounding to me but do you think it would be worth a try?
I think you may be right about the pressure thing also. I just cant figure out where the leaks are at all.
Not a big leak, just a slight seepage, my carpet isnt even wet.

As Frank states above, if the black tar substance was used, it can be very hard to clean off.
Unless glass is broken I would suggest you NOT remove black tar.
It seems to last forever.
I have five of these tanks.
Stainless steel corners, top rails and bottom rails.
On my three gallon one side glass was loose, almost falling out. I just siliconed all corners and let set 48 hours. That worked. It is now a hospital tank. This tank had set in my mothers attic for at least 15 years.
As a child I remember two of the 10 gallons being used but I don't remember the 3 gallon ever being used.
Yes they are old. My father made them and he has been dead since Aug. 1967.
Good luck.
If you want to sell your tank, please let me have a chance to bid. Thanks.
Subic

Last edited by Subic76 at 30-Jun-2005 17:03

It's not really feasible to sell unless you happen to be nearby. It's a very heavy thing.
I'm probably going to get a helper and try to reseal the whole thing once more.

I resealed mine from the inside with silicone.

I don't know about yours, but mine's glass is all scratched up somehow. I often wish I had replaced all the panes before setting it up. The full frame would make putting it back together easy.

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