A Bad Evening (Every Aquarists Nightmare)

I was doing a water change before dinner yesterday. My python clogged so a went to pull the tube off and the accidentally knocked the rim of my tank (not that hard either). The result? 3 massive cracks from top to bottom. Luckily the tank wasn't leaking right away.

I immediately grabbed another bucket and some extra towels. I managed to get my fish and plants into buckets and run to Petco for a new 10 gallon tank. I put the sponge filter in the bucket with my fish and left the pump running. The bacteria in the HOB filter media and sponge is probably gone.

I didn't reuse the substrate because I had to scoop most of it out before moving the tank. I was afraid the side of the tank would shatter. There was about an inch of aquasoil and 2 inches of pool filter sand on top. Now there's just 2.5 to 3 inches of pool filter sand. Good thing I had some pool filter sand left over and just ordered root tabs.

I also pulled out a level and checked my stand to make sure that wasn't the problem. The tank should not have cracked like it did. Most likely it was some type of manufacturing defect that would have caused the tank to crack at some point. Lucky thing I was home.

After this experience, I've learned its a good idea to have a plastic bin or tote on hand for emergencies.

Learn from my experience. Hopefully it will never happen to you. But you know what they say, stuff happens.

 

Stuff does indeed happen. Sounds like you kept your head and kept everything going as well as you could have.

I remember my first (and hopefully only) leak - second-hand 4 foot tank, I was about 14 or 15 at the time. Fish living in buckets in the kitchen for days, lots of water on the floor, panic all around!

 

L learned the hard way that I'm not skilled enough as a woodworker to make my own stands.

 

I immediately grabbed another bucket and some extra towels. I managed to get my fish and plants into buckets and run to Petco for a new 10 gallon tank. I put the sponge filter in the bucket with my fish and left the pump running. The bacteria in the HOB filter media and sponge is probably gone.

As long as you kept the media wet your bacteria should be fine. You will have lost some but should still have enough to keep the cycle running smooth. Just keep an eye on the numbers and do water changes as needed.

 

Stuff does indeed happen. Sounds like you kept your head and kept everything going as well as you could have.

I remember my first (and hopefully only) leak - second-hand 4 foot tank, I was about 14 or 15 at the time. Fish living in buckets in the kitchen for days, lots of water on the floor, panic all around!

Oh no! I can't imagine trying to clean up all that water.

As long as you kept the media wet your bacteria should be fine. You will have lost some but should still have enough to keep the cycle running smooth. Just keep an eye on the numbers and do water changes as needed.

Yeah, the media was in the other bucket the entire time. I tossed to entire basket from my Tidal in it actually. Only thing I did was maintenance on the impeller. It needed to be done in 2 weeks anyway.

L learned the hard way that I'm not skilled enough as a woodworker to make my own stands.

That had to suck

 

Stuff does indeed happen. Sounds like you kept your head and kept everything going as well as you could have.

I remember my first (and hopefully only) leak - second-hand 4 foot tank, I was about 14 or 15 at the time. Fish living in buckets in the kitchen for days, lots of water on the floor, panic all around!

Thankfully I've not experienced this yet. Hopefully I never will. Right now I am only running 2 actual tanks. One 55 gallon and one 5.5 gallon. both are pretty old. I'm not sure I would trust a brand new tank. I fear they don't make them as well as they once did. Some that have bought new tanks report the glass isn't as thick in the newer tanks as it was back when my tanks were made.

Yeah, the media was in the other bucket the entire time. I tossed to entire basket from my Tidal in it actually. Only thing I did was maintenance on the impeller. It needed to be done in 2 weeks anyway.

Good job. Your bacteria should be alright then. If the rim came off that easy I have to think it wasn't attached correctly to begin with. They may not have added enough silicon to keep it in place. Hopefully the new one is better made.

 

Thankfully I've not experienced this yet. Hopefully I never will. Right now I am only running 2 actual tanks. One 55 gallon and one 5.5 gallon. both are pretty old. I'm not sure I would trust a brand new tank. I fear they don't make them as well as they once did. Some that have bought new tanks report the glass isn't as thick in the newer tanks as it was back when my tanks were made.

Good job. Your bacteria should be alright then. If the rim came off that easy I have to think it wasn't attached correctly to begin with. They may not have added enough silicon to keep it in place. Hopefully the new one is better made.

The tank should have been able to withstand more than it did. Your probably right that the rim wasn't attached correctly to begin with. My guess is the tank would have cracked at some point in the future.

They really used a lot of silicone on this one at the factory. Its on the outside of the tank too.

 

Thankfully I've not experienced this yet. Hopefully I never will. Right now I am only running 2 actual tanks. One 55 gallon and one 5.5 gallon. both are pretty old. I'm not sure I would trust a brand new tank. I fear they don't make them as well as they once did. Some that have bought new tanks report the glass isn't as thick in the newer tanks as it was back when my tanks were made.

Good job. Your bacteria should be alright then. If the rim came off that easy I have to think it wasn't attached correctly to begin with. They may not have added enough silicon to keep it in place. Hopefully the new one is better made.

I understand where you are coming from - there’s some shocking build quality out there with some newer tanks. I will only go for new tanks after my experience but I will spend a little bit more to ensure that it has higher build quality and a guarantee from a reputable company. Of course, accidents can happen unfortunately!

The tank that leaked for me was also hand-made, so that may have been something to do with it. Looking back, it was a bizarre design - frosted glass back panel, side panels were black glass, front was plain glass but fitted at an angle so a little narrow shelf was created at the front for storing food etc. Unfortunately it was hopeless at fulfilling its primary role of keeping water inside rather than on the living room floor.

Mum wasn’t happy. Not sure she is almost 20 years later to be honest!

 

I had my fair share of leaking tanks. Most frustrating is when you discover it pretty late.

 

The tank should have been able to withstand more than it did. Your probably right that the rim wasn't attached correctly to begin with. My guess is the tank would have cracked at some point in the future.

You are probably right. The rim coming off shouldn't have caused the glass to crack this easily

They really used a lot of silicone on this one at the factory. Its on the outside of the tank too.

When it comes to the silicone I would rather have too much than not enough. Hopefully more care was taken when the new one was put together. It is fairly easy to remove excess from the outside.

I understand where you are coming from - there’s some shocking build quality out there with some newer tanks. I will only go for new tanks after my experience but I will spend a little bit more to ensure that it has higher build quality and a guarantee from a reputable company. Of course, accidents can happen unfortunately!

I would probably be leery of a used tank. In your case it may not have been built well. It does sound like it was very unique. My greatest concern with a used tank is how it has been treated throughout its lifetime.

I bought mine new over 20 years ago. It has been moved one time from its original stand. We moved it out the back door of the old house into the front door of the new one. The 5.5 gallon has been moved lots of times but it is easy to move it without twisting it.

 

I returned a Petco 10 gallon before using it, the glass just seemed way too thin for intended purpose. Ended up going with a tetra brand which even for a 10 gallon had thicker glass and decent silicone work. Hopefully your new tank will hold up better than the last.

 

I returned a Petco 10 gallon before using it, the glass just seemed way too thin for intended purpose. Ended up going with a tetra brand which even for a 10 gallon had thicker glass and decent silicone work. Hopefully your new tank will hold up better than the last.

Unfortunately around here at least, I can't get tetra brand tanks. Most places sell Aqueon tanks around here. I'm not sure who makes PetSmarts Topfin tanks. My lfs sells Seapora tanks but that would have been an expensive emergency purchase. Hopefully this one will not have any problems.

 

Unfortunately around here at least, I can't get tetra brand tanks. Most places sell Aqueon tanks around here. I'm not sure who makes PetSmarts Topfin tanks. My lfs sells Seapora tanks but that would have been an expensive emergency purchase. Hopefully this one will not have any problems.

Pet smart had the tetra tank, but that was a few years back, 2019, so may have fazed out in favor of their house brand. Hopefully this new tank can handle a siphon knock better than the last. Sorry this happened and glad you were able to get things squared away pretty quick with your fish and filters no worse the wear.