As always, a great video. But as you probably know Rachel O'Leary had TWO tank failures this past week, one of which was from a tank she purchased 5 years ago when it was brand new. So when is it time to think about replacing an existing tank ?? 5? 10? 15 years ??? Yeah, tough question ...
All my tanks are second hand. All but one. I let them sit a whole week full of water to check for leaks. I did it because there were a few spots here and there I had to strip and reseal with new silicone. I let it cure 48 hours and water test a week.
A flashlight, better yet a UV flashlight, makes spotting tiny chips, cracks and even irregularities in the glass super easy. It also highlights some sealant repairs or touch ups. If it's a used tank, seeing sealant that isn't the exact same as the others can indicate there was a leak repair in the past. P.S.: Ikea Magnet Bar, FTW!
Great tips..Nice to know I'm not the only one obsessed with doing leak checks. I've always just filled it right up. Like the idea of doing it a few inches at a time.
Hey Thomas, Great video as always. Question: What do you do with 3 tanks currently in use, all of which have never leaked that are 18 years old, at least ? To make matters more prone to anxiety we can be out of town several weeks at a time. A slow leak is addressable when someone is around but could be deadly if undetected over a prolonged period. I don't even want to think of a spontaneous "explosion" many examples of which can be seen on TH-cam. Needless to say they are horrifying. Any suggestions ??
Hi Thomas, like you I'm paranoid about tanks holding water at first. I recently purchased a used 40 gallon breeder. No leaks, however there is a slight bowing to the front and rear glass panels from holding water. Some people online recommend adding a middle brace like longer tanks, it makes me nervous that it'll give out at any moment so the tank has been sitting empty and idle
You mention "shell chips" at about the 40 second mark. I bought a used 75G that does have some minor rounded chips on the edges that I thought I could wet sand out the sharp spots to prevent injury, but I thought the tank would still be OK. Are you saying I got screwed, or can I just sand these out and still have a viable tank? I am almost in tears right now thinking I got screwed spending more money than I could reasonably afford to make a nice home for my growing goldie family. What should I do? Help....PLEASE. I really hope I get an answer from you...I planned on a major league washing of the inside of the tank and a re-doing the silicon this weekend, and moving the tank inside next weekend. Now I just feel like the tank is garbage and I got screwed. What should I do...am I really sunk on this project?
You should be fine... all my23- tanks are second hand and third hand, and the majority have chips. If is superficial and smaller than the join area, it wont affect the tank integrity.
Question: On average, how long does silicone sealant last on a glass tank - a tank that's always in use filled with water, not sitting around dry for who knows how long? And if the silicone sealant is getting really old, is it better/safer to re-seal the old tank with new sealant or ditch the tank and get a new one?
I bought a second hand 65 gallon tank it had some cracks on the glass and the silicon was dry I resealed it and leak tested it for about a month is it okay to use
Hi! Does the vibration of an in tank filter stress the fish out at all? My new (and first) tank came with a rather loud filter that vibrates, which you can feel if you touch it. I dont mind the noise but will the fish get stressed because of it? I'm not planning on adding any fish anytime soon so a change of filter can still be done without messing any cycle or hurting any fish, since it barely is cycled yet.
While cleaning my tank, I accidentally used hot water for a little and I’m worried that could have ruined the seal? Is that possible? Now the bottom part of the seal looks cloudy, and not clean and clear like it is on top. :(
Hi guys , I’m newbie to this , I’ve bought 130gallon aquarium , I want to ask u if I can buy any stand ( like chest drawer with side panel or just something from ikea ) for my aquarium ?
How level is good enough? My tank (110gal) is 2mm (0,08 inches or whatever ^^) lower in the front. Can that be a problem? It's sitting on a foam mat too.
Nope, bala sharks and angels will get too big full grown. And once full sized, they will eat the guppies. Now if you start them small, you could use it to grow them out until you get a bigger tank.
Too labor intensive. I’ll just fill it up and throw the fish in. Then it’s every fish for himself. If the tank leaks then, well.......I’ll take it as a sign that I was supposed to have fish for dinner.
![[DRIP] ‘Love, Maybe’ PREVIEW](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U7hwHp95m1k/mqdefault.jpg)
My favorite method is just to assume it’s OK and go ahead and start filling it up. 😂😂 it’s like 95% effective. ;)
I would put it in a bathtub to check for leaks. I prefer it over taking it outside or basement drain or many many towels. Great informative video!
As always, a great video. But as you probably know Rachel O'Leary had TWO tank failures this past week, one of which was from a tank she purchased 5 years ago when it was brand new.
So when is it time to think about replacing an existing tank ?? 5? 10? 15 years ??? Yeah, tough question ...
All my tanks are second hand. All but one. I let them sit a whole week full of water to check for leaks. I did it because there were a few spots here and there I had to strip and reseal with new silicone. I let it cure 48 hours and water test a week.
That's a great tip!
A flashlight, better yet a UV flashlight, makes spotting tiny chips, cracks and even irregularities in the glass super easy. It also highlights some sealant repairs or touch ups. If it's a used tank, seeing sealant that isn't the exact same as the others can indicate there was a leak repair in the past.
P.S.: Ikea Magnet Bar, FTW!
Never thought of that at all. We have a UV flashlight kicking around. Will def try that when my new tank gets in.
Great tips..Nice to know I'm not the only one obsessed with doing leak checks. I've always just filled it right up. Like the idea of doing it a few inches at a time.
Just got a 15 gallon tank in the mail and was wondering about this! Thank you for this nice informational video :)
A fish keepers worst nightmare - waking up in the middle of the night and seeing water leak out the tank 😱. Best to always check 👍
Hey Thomas, Great video as always. Question: What do you do with 3 tanks currently in use, all of which have never leaked that are 18 years old, at least ? To make matters more prone to anxiety we can be out of town several weeks at a time. A slow leak is addressable when someone is around but could be deadly if undetected over a prolonged period. I don't even want to think of a spontaneous "explosion" many examples of which can be seen on TH-cam. Needless to say they are horrifying. Any suggestions ??
I love this channel, Thomas is the best guy to listen.... Keep on tanking...
You always have the best t shirts. Awesome video
Hi Thomas, like you I'm paranoid about tanks holding water at first. I recently purchased a used 40 gallon breeder. No leaks, however there is a slight bowing to the front and rear glass panels from holding water. Some people online recommend adding a middle brace like longer tanks, it makes me nervous that it'll give out at any moment so the tank has been sitting empty and idle
So, what do you do if you find a leak? Is the tank trash? What if there are those shell chips and such, but not leaking? Is there a way to fix them?
You mention "shell chips" at about the 40 second mark. I bought a used 75G that does have some minor rounded chips on the edges that I thought I could wet sand out the sharp spots to prevent injury, but I thought the tank would still be OK. Are you saying I got screwed, or can I just sand these out and still have a viable tank? I am almost in tears right now thinking I got screwed spending more money than I could reasonably afford to make a nice home for my growing goldie family. What should I do? Help....PLEASE. I really hope I get an answer from you...I planned on a major league washing of the inside of the tank and a re-doing the silicon this weekend, and moving the tank inside next weekend. Now I just feel like the tank is garbage and I got screwed. What should I do...am I really sunk on this project?
You should be fine... all my23- tanks are second hand and third hand, and the majority have chips. If is superficial and smaller than the join area, it wont affect the tank integrity.
Question: On average, how long does silicone sealant last on a glass tank - a tank that's always in use filled with water, not sitting around dry for who knows how long? And if the silicone sealant is getting really old, is it better/safer to re-seal the old tank with new sealant or ditch the tank and get a new one?
Love the videos! Keep them coming!
ahhh we have a mouse loose at the moment and those cricket noises (squeaks) made me jump out of my freaking skin!
I bought a second hand 65 gallon tank it had some cracks on the glass and the silicon was dry I resealed it and leak tested it for about a month is it okay to use
Hi! Does the vibration of an in tank filter stress the fish out at all? My new (and first) tank came with a rather loud filter that vibrates, which you can feel if you touch it. I dont mind the noise but will the fish get stressed because of it? I'm not planning on adding any fish anytime soon so a change of filter can still be done without messing any cycle or hurting any fish, since it barely is cycled yet.
No
While cleaning my tank, I accidentally used hot water for a little and I’m worried that could have ruined the seal? Is that possible? Now the bottom part of the seal looks cloudy, and not clean and clear like it is on top. :(
Hi guys , I’m newbie to this , I’ve bought 130gallon aquarium , I want to ask u if I can buy any stand ( like chest drawer with side panel or just something from ikea ) for my aquarium ?
Thanks guys for ur videos it made me to start the aquarium , hard to resist it wen u guys r talk about it with so much passion
Do you need to cycle your tank before adding plants??
No, you can add them right away.
Thank you Tonya!
Lmao! Tanking it easy!!!!! Love it!!!!
How level is good enough? My tank (110gal) is 2mm (0,08 inches or whatever ^^) lower in the front. Can that be a problem? It's sitting on a foam mat too.
Yooooo love your content !!!!
Can u make a vid about how to restore old aquarium because i found old aquarium and need to restore it..tq
Mhmm. I checked the seams and glass, but couldn't find my level and did not test first lol. O well seems to be fine as of so far.
Do aquariums wear out after a few years of continuous use? Thanks 🙂
Silicone can go bad or lose its seal. But normally only when left dry.
It seemed you talked backwards! I mean in reverse! Hehe. Great lil vid. Just watched it because your presentation always is a joy to watch.
Can guppies ballas and angel fish all live together in a 55 gallon
Nope, bala sharks and angels will get too big full grown. And once full sized, they will eat the guppies. Now if you start them small, you could use it to grow them out until you get a bigger tank.
Thanks
If the tank is not level what do you do???
Do you think that 4 Congo tetras and around 6-8 angelfish in a 40 gallon breeder is okay?
Just dancing around doing it in the bath tub.
Thanks 💞😇💸💡☯️
My parents are paranoid by my tanks, not have I leak tested them, they have been held down by industrial Velcro
I just got a used tank and did the same methods just by common sense and I'm 12 XD
Hi
Totally thought it said "how to leak an aquarium"
(Holding a hammer behind back) Look over there; there's a flying fish!!
*about to throw tank*
It’s not?
Sorry the water was so clear *runs away*
💝☺💝
I got a thing for Thomas... ❤️
Steve Carell,,,,,
How to leak test a tank. Put water in it. Video done
1st
I got first in. Lol
Good
Too labor intensive. I’ll just fill it up and throw the fish in. Then it’s every fish for himself. If the tank leaks then, well.......I’ll take it as a sign that I was supposed to have fish for dinner.
Never ever would have guessed to test if it leaks is to fill with water I would have filled it with carrots