Leak in my new tank :( Now what?

Well, I can no longer deny it. There is a leak - a tiny, slow leak but a leak nontheless - in my 2-week-old 10 gallon tank. I thought maybe it was just mess from water changes or water testing but. . . nope. It's a leak.


I dried it up before I left for work. This is what I found about 8 hours later.

So. . . now what? Do I have to worry that this tiny leak will soon become a bigger leak and then a catastrophic leak? or do I have some time?
I bought this tank kit from WalMart. I hope they don't give me any guff about returning it - with no receipt and a box with a big ol' piece cut out of it ;-)

I'd like to go ahead and upgrade to a 20 gallon since 10 is really too small for anything. But it may take a while to find the right one. I'm wary of buying the 20 gallon kit from WalMart. Plus, it's mighty pricey and I don't need their filter, I've already got a good one. Part of me would like to keep the power filter that came with the 10 gallon to run a future quarantine tank. . . . or I just buy some el cheapo when PetSmart has another stupid sale. I saw that PetCo is having the $ 1 a gallon. Unfortunately we don't have one around here.

My eventual plan, once I get new tank, is to put everything except the gravel into a clear plastic tub, remove old tank, put old gravel in new tank, with some more new gravel, fill it up about half way, and then move everything into the new tank. Good idea? I can't go directly from old tank to new tank, because they will be occupying the same spot.

I'm trying not to freak out about this. . . . . thoughts?

 

Yeah pretty good idea I would say, just make sure you keep your filter media wet and don't throw it out. Don't rinse it under tap water either, you know the usual

How's Chewie doing?

 

He's doing great so far, thanks!

Any thoughts on whether this leak will get worse or how long I have to get in the new tank?

 

Oh, just saw this thread. Guess you've already ruled out the nicer possibilities! Do you have a spirit level? I would still double check that the surface it's sitting on is completely flat and level. Other than that, I'm pretty sure that Walmart is very good about giving refunds.

 

He's doing great so far, thanks!

Any thoughts on whether this leak will get worse or how long I have to get in the new tank?

Leaks will definitely get worse as more pressure is exerted on the leak. Best to get the new tank ASAP.

 

I would.take it back and expect ot to get bigger sooner then later so if you can transfer the inhabitants somewhere even if its a bucket I would

 

I get paid Thursday. I'll try to get to PetSmart and look around tomorrow, and then be ready to buy Thursday night. I sure hope it will last that long. I can get the plastic tub in a pinch whenever. And that will be my future quarantine tank.

This is quite frustrating But better a small leak than a big one!

 

Petsmart has matched petco's dollar per gallon sale for me in the past, as long as it's the same brand of tank

 

The dollar per gallon sale may still be going on if you have a petco near you. Anyone know when it ends?

Sent from my SM-G360T using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Def don't move the tank while it's full....you could stress the crack/run and cause a bigger problem

 

Strange things are afoot!
This morning I went to wipe up the nights leak puddle and. . . . it wasn't there. Now at nearly 11 p.m., there is still no sign of a leak.

The tank is about an inch less full than it was yesterday. I had only recently filled it to the very top so that my filter wouldn't be so noisy. Took out a bit too much water in the water change last night.

After running my finger over the joint in that part of the tank, I think I've found the problem. The leak is very high up, so as long as I keep the water level below it, it's ok (just sounds like I left a faucet running).
I still want to return the tank and get a refund but now I feel like I don't have a time crunch.
thanks all!

 

Aha! Nice detective work ChewiesGrandma