And the Seam Went Booooshhh!

[Deleted]

While out visiting friends, having a good time, we were completely unaware that our 120 gallon tank was starting to leak. By the time we got home, an hour and a half later, the seam had let go and spilled about 100 gallons of water on the floor. Carpeted of course. We had just enough time to do some quick as lightening fish shuffling, changing all tank inhabitants (of all but 2 of 7 tanks), all over the place. From our little 5g we had to move baby guppies into the parent 20g tank. Into the 5g went about 2 dozen juvie green terrors, out of their 20g. Into the 20g the babies were in went the parents and a Jack Depsey, a Red Finned Black Shark and 4 bristle nose plecs. Out of the 120g we lost the newest set of GT babies, the newest set of BN babies, and most of the previous set of BN babies. And the sad part is... the BN's had thrown albino babies! I didn't know they would do this as none of their previous dozen matings had given me anything than little carbon copies of the parents. I'm assuming that if it can happen once, then it might happen again. And since I didn't plan for it, it's no great loss if I don't get more albinos. Within a week of the new tank arrangement, I had to move the shark into the 55g community. She was really getting picked on. But it was half expected since these are all bigger fish, in a tank one sixth of the size they are used too. Within another week we had to move the JD to the hospital 5g tank. I think she hates it in there. It is fully set up with gravel and 2 caves for her to hide in. But she won't eat unless I throw in baby guppies. And she hardly ever leaves the cave. Oh well, it is temporary. As soon as the GT's had the 20g to themselves (and the BN's), they bred again. Like immediately. We didn't try to save this batch though. By the time 2 weeks went by, the babies were gone. So now 2 months has passed and we are finally almost ready to silicone the tank together again.Just have one last cleaning of the glass to do. A friend lent us tank straps to hold it for us, and another friend got us the right silicone. I've hated seeing my big tanks in pieces and can't wait until it is done! My only real question is... How long after siliconing should we wait to water test it? And should we test it all the way to the top first try? Or in height stages? We've resiliconed tanks in the past, but it has been years and neither of us remember, lol. Thanks for any advice you might have!

[Admin]

Wow this has always been my worst fear with aquariums, the thought of having one break and the mess that it can cause. I cannot give you any input as to resealing your tank as I have never done it, but i'm pretty sure a few people on this forum have done it before.

[Deleted]

It is my worst fear as well! It could have been so much worse though. We have redone tanks, it's just been awhile. But a member of the club (Steve) is our friends dad and he got us everything we would need. Now just to get it done. I was told on another forum to wait a couple of days before testing it, and to fill it in stages.

[guppyguy]

Steve is a great guy. Glad he helped out. Glad this was not worse than it was.

[Deleted]

jocie very sorry to hear of your trouble. A 120 is not a small tank and thus you are looking at lots of force being exerted by the weight of all that water. It can be done for sure but I just wanted to point out that you need to check that your stand is flat. It helps if the tank is almost level too but make sure the frame is being supported in all the corners before putting any water in it. As you fill it make sure you keep checking that the stand is flat and the tank supported, most tank failures trace back to stand issues. I know you suffer from MTS so you probably have heard all of that before but hopefully other members may check their tanks also. Best of luck for sure.

[Deleted]

oldmanriver - I do know all of that, but appreciate the advice anyways. All of our stands are on concrete floors and are level. We now also have a 20g tank that is leaking. This is horrible! It is the tank that we moved the fish from the 120 into, and we have no where else to put them. In the process right now of finding a VERY cheap tank to put them into before it bursts its seams too. Fish keeping on an extremely tight budget can be tricky at times. Having no money until the end of the month makes it harder!

[lesfromlakeshore]

Hi jocie1976, I have an extra 20 gallon you can borrow if you like.

[Deleted]

jocie, I have some empty tanks I can give you. Please let me know what lenght and width is ideal for you. Happy to help if possible.