Tropical fish keeping aquarium emergency! Need advice!

[jwyles]

Hi folks! Shooting in the dark here but aside from chickens I also really dig fish and today my 55g s. Amer themed fish tank sprung a slow leak. I've got a breeding pair of angels (have actually hatched their fry) in there as well as a small school of diamond tetras , school of bronze/albino corys and a bristlenose pleco. I've had these fish for years and do not want to lose anyone. I bought silicone to repair the tank I have but what is the best way to go about temporarily housing these fish while I do the repair? Also how long does the silicon need to dry before I readd water? Please help!!! I've never done this before!

Edited to add that the only other aquariums I have belong to my kids- a 5g with a betta and 1 platt and a 10g with a sword pair 1 molly & 1 Betta. I may could shuffle these to fit some but know I can't house all in there.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi folks! Shooting in the dark here but aside from chickens I also really dig fish and today my 55g s. Amer themed fish tank sprung a slow leak. I've got a breeding pair of angels (have actually hatched their fry) in there as well as a small school of diamond tetras , school of bronze/albino corys and a bristlenose pleco. I've had these fish for years and do not want to lose anyone. I bought silicone to repair the tank I have but what is the best way to go about temporarily housing these fish while I do the repair? Also how long does the silicon need to dry before I readd water? Please help!!! I've never done this before!

Edited to add that the only other aquariums I have belong to my kids- a 5g with a betta and 1 platt and a 10g with a sword pair 1 molly & 1 Betta. I may could shuffle these to fit some but know I can't house all in there.

Get a plastic 55 gallon barrel for your temp. its not comfortable but will work. You'll need to transfer all the water moving/treatment stuff to it as you add the fish. Take your water from your existing tank with a siphon. You'll need an hour or two, best if you can go 24 for the patch to hold. then reverse the process.

 

[JaeG]

Is the leak high enough up that you can drain some of the water and repair it without taking everyone out? Otherwise you'll have to set them up in a temporary tank, or even a big plastic container/tub, as long as they have their heater and a simple sponge filter hooked up to an air pump they'll be fine. Put a loose top on in case anyone tries to jump, though the fish you've listed aren't usually jumpers. If you do have to move everyone it might be best to separate the angels and babies from the general population just in case, in all the confusion, the other fish decide to snack on the babies and the parents are too disorientated to protect them.

Leaks are best repaired from inside. Just double check the silicone is safe for aquarium use - it should say non-toxic. Use acetate to clean around the leak site, dry it off and leave it for 15 minutes to dry completely. Apply the silicone and give it at least 24 hours to dry completely, longer if it's cold or very humid.

Goodluck!

 

[rjohns39]

btw, make sure its clean before you use it. cut the top off if its sealed.

And one other note... Watch your numbers closely. moving both fish and water to a temp tank I've seen dramatic swings. I have no idea why--but better to be out front than playing catch-up.

 

[jwyles]

Is the leak high enough up that you can drain some of the water and repair it without taking everyone out? Otherwise you'll have to set them up in a temporary tank, or even a big plastic container/tub, as long as they have their heater and a simple sponge filter hooked up to an air pump they'll be fine. Put a loose top on in case anyone tries to jump, though the fish you've listed aren't usually jumpers. If you do have to move everyone it might be best to separate the angels and babies from the general population just in case, in all the confusion, the other fish decide to snack on the babies and the parents are too disorientated to protect them.

Leaks are best repaired from inside. Just double check the silicone is safe for aquarium use - it should say non-toxic. Use acetate to clean around the leak site, dry it off and leave it for 15 minutes to dry completely. Apply the silicone and give it at least 24 hours to dry completely, longer if it's cold or very humid.

Goodluck!

No!!! The stinking leak it in the BOTTOM left front corner! I could cry. Under a ton of rocks! Now I'm not sure that I got the right silicon tho. It's incurred 100% silicon.

 

[jwyles]

Get a plastic 55 gallon barrel for your temp. its not comfortable but will work. You'll need to transfer all the water moving/treatment stuff to it as you add the fish. Take your water from your existing tank with a siphon. You'll need an hour or two, best if you can go 24 for the patch to hold. then reverse the process.

Thank you! I hate this but I think the best I can do are a few different ice chests for their temp tanks.

 

[jwyles]

This is the silicon I purchased. Can anyone tell me if it's unsafe? It doesn't say "non-toxic" so I'm unsure!

 

[jwyles]

I'm starting to gather that it's the type for bathrooms that is cured with ammonia that is unsafe. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[JaeG]

No!!! The stinking leak it in the BOTTOM left front corner! I could cry. Under a ton of rocks! Now I'm not sure that I got the right silicon tho. It's incurred 100% silicon.

Poor you! As long as it is 100% Silicone you should be fine. Have a read of this:
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f45/100silicone-vs-100-aquarium-silicone-814.html

 

[JaeG]

I can read something about Acetic Acid there on the label which sounds like the one you need from what I've read online.