My tank with fish in it is leaking!!!!!!

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Due to probable pressure ripping the sealant (from bad positioning), my existing 473 liter sprung a leak!!!!
Resealing it, as well as my 2nd one (to be on the safe side), costs 900 bucks! And it's a very lengthy process too.

He comes on Friday, starting off to reseal the currently empty 473 liter, which will take 2 days to set. Meaning until Sunday, I need to be on top of the leak ?
(But there is a bonus, he'll seal the drilled hole in that tank while he reseals it! So that takes care of that! ?)

Then, on Sunday, all the fish get moved to that 473 liter (with their filters too of course) for at least 2-3 days, while their original 473 is resealed and sets.

Boy, my cousin isn't happy about this. And neither am I.

 

[FJB]

I am confused - A good "setting" of silicone (after resealing) takes more that 2 days. By good I mean what s advisable. It is advised to let the silicone cure for several days (a week or so), even after it appears to be "dry".
I understand you have time pressure on you, but why rush it? It is just not worth it and could end in a new leak, or an improperly fixed one, which would be an even worse issue.
Perhaps you can get some inexpensive plastic totes to keep the fish during more reasonable setting time?

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Thanks for the tip. I am capable of managing the leaks with buckets for that week, so it's easily doable, and as you say worthwhile.

 

[esoxlucius]

I agree with F FJB . Depending on bead thickness it could take a lot more than a couple of days. A good guide is when the acetone smell has gone.

But more to the point, what the hell are you forking out $900 for. It's not exactly a difficult job.

And neither is patching up the old sump hole.

You must have more money than sense, lol.

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Thanks for the acetone smell tip. The more advice the better.

A pair of 473 liter tanks being resealed is what I'm forking out the $900 for, the sump hole is thrown in for free thankfully. After reading this (https://www.hackersreef.com/should-i-reseal-my-aquarium/), I don't blame the person we're hiring for the price.

The 900 bucks was the cheapest me and my cousin could find. We don't want to do it ourselves because we lack the skill, and could easily destroy the tanks or end up flooding (as described in the link).

 

[CrazyPhishMan]

Just curious why you want to seal the drilled hole?
Personally, i would prefer if all my tanks were drilled. Sumps are so much easier to maintain and provide a hide-away for equipment not to mention add a TON of oxygen.

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

My cousin won't let me get a sump, they put their foot down at the number of tanks unfortunately.

 

[CrazyPhishMan]

My cousin won't let me get a sump, they put their foot down at the number of tanks unfortunately.

Interesting.
So i assume you live in cousins home? that's cool they let you have tanks at all.

One of the first things i did when i bought my first house, while i still had the rental van, was drive to a fish store and buy a full 125g setup.. 3 months later a 180, 3 months later another... slippery slope as they say. my old house had a basement with 18 stacked tanks now they are all in my basement living area. I'm wondering if your opinions on certain fish will change when you have more space available. I, like you hated bichirs and red devils and basically anything i could not provide a big enough tank for- until i could

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Correct. It's quite fortunate they allowed the number of tanks they did.

My opinions on those types of fish are based on the appearances of the fish and the dangers they pose to my favorites, not space available. If I had much larger tanks than I do now, I'd get more of the species I already have.

Well, maybe some XL catfish too (think red tail, tiger shovelnose, etc). They resemble very large versions of my favorite pictus catfish, and although I prefer pictus to them, I wouldn't turn up my noses at them if I had space.

 

[jjohnwm]

I'm with Esox on this; that price seems laughably high for this job. It is time-consuming and tedious, but well within the capabiities of anyone with opposable thumbs.

Even if you insist upon not trying it yourself...how much will new tanks cost? I just checked my local dealer's current inventory list and he sells new 110-gallon tanks (closest thing to your size) for $430. That's Canadian dollars, which are practically worthless! Surely you could get yourself a couple of brand new aquariums for less than $900???

Oh, and...it's an acetic acid (vinegar) smell, not acetone.