vegasgundog Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 UPDATED WITH PITURES I decided to add an Aqualife 115 skimmer to my Biocube 29. InTank baskets already push the display water level high and the skimmer in chamber one even higher. With the new water level, my bc 29 sprung a small but steady leak on the side under the rim. I pulled the skimmer but had already moded it, so returning it was out. Searching the web and Lfs advice said lower water level with a power head for circulation for 24 hrs while silicone dried. With all my live stock, especially my birds nest up top, I was really afraid to try this route. I was about to pull the trigger and do it when it just popped in my head. I grabbed the straw from my empty soda cup and the tube of silicone I bought. The straw fit perfectly against the inside of the tube. I filled about 2 inches of the straw with silicone and pinched about a half inch from the end so it wouldn't make a mess. I had marked the spot the leak was at. I pinched flat the end of the straw I cleared out and slid it between the glass and rim at the leak as far up as it would go. I backed it out slightly and ran finger up the straw pushing it flat until I got to the silicone. Once I hit the silicone I pushed slowly and firmly upwards. I wiggled the straw side to side and pulled it slowly back out while continuing to slowly pull baking on the straw tiny amounts. I stopped a couple of times to check my progress by looking through the other side of the tank, I could see my work perfectly. I was afraid the straw broke once which would have been messy, but I think it was just air. Once the straw was out, it only made a slight mess which I cleaned up right away. No noxious fumes added to the display tank and no lowering of the water beyond safe levels. Two days later, no leak and everyone in the tankle is as happy as a clam. I hope this helps anyone with this problem Link to comment
nanoreefer11 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 A little confused but can't wait to see pics! Always good to see a clever diy fix Link to comment
vegasgundog Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 Oh NOSE!!! A leak! http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_152032_zpssuo1ds8l.jpg.html'> I know! http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151232_zpsullodglu.jpg.html'> Fill about 2 inches with silicone http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151300_zpsburpzd4k.jpg.html'> Pinch out about half inch and wipe it away so it wont make a mess http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151442_zpsm1q0oipn.jpg.html'> Go to the leak, hope you marked it, press the end of the straw that you squeezed the silicone out of flat against the glass and slide it up between the glass and rim http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151705_zpsmr26vog0.jpg.html'> Push the straw flat and slide your finger up towards the silicone with slightly firm preasure. dont push so hard the straw splits. Wiggle the straw side to side and pull back slowly as you continue to press the silicone between the glass and rim. http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151716_zpsk37bsubt.jpg.html'> http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151721_zpszmhsvy8p.jpg.html'> http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151734_zpsibuzzjur.jpg.html'> You can see your work. http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151823_zpsy29fakty.jpg.html'> Done! http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/endarro1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_151917_zpsmnkhcsbi.jpg.html'> Link to comment
ReviloM Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 um....Another fix would be to not fill it above the glass portion..... Link to comment
nanoreefer11 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Ah ok makes much more sense. Looks great! Nice documentation also Link to comment
vegasgundog Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 um....Another fix would be to not fill it above the glass portion..... The inTank media basket and skimmer push the water level up that high. Link to comment
inTank Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Nice, very smart Can't you remove water from the display to bring the level down? A skimmer in chamber one will put way more backpressure on incoming water than a media basket in CH 2 Link to comment
vegasgundog Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 The flow director has always raised the water level in the display tank for me. I have your fuge basket in 2 as well and it has so much life with the stomatellas and pods, I didn't want to ditch it for a skimmer back there. Link to comment
vegasgundog Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 Four days, and still no leak. Every one still happy and skimmer works great. Link to comment
Mr. Microscope Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Well done! Thank you for sharing. Link to comment
erevast Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Very nice! I wasn't quite sure what you meant until I saw the photos though. I'll remember that trick if I ever run into trouble with my tanks~ Link to comment
1MP3R1AL Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 um....Another fix would be to not fill it above the glass portion..... Link to comment
vegasgundog Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 Nice, very smart Can't you remove water from the display to bring the level down? A skimmer in chamber one will put way more backpressure on incoming water than a media basket in CH 2 Yes, the back preasuring of the skimmer and flow director raise the water level in the display tank. If I take water from the display tank, the water level in chamber 2 and 3 drops instead. Link to comment
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