This isn't an "emergency" and I hate posting this here, but I couldn't find a better place to post it. ?Perhaps we need a Questions or Newbie forum area.Anywho I have a oldish(?) large tank I am about to start filling with rocks, sand, and water and the more I stare at the more nervous I get. ?I got the tank second hand, I know very little of it's history or origin.The tank is 4'x4'x18" and the silicon seals (I assume it is silicone) is breaking down a bit on the inside corners of the tank. ?It kinda peel/flakes off a bit in places. ?It looks like someone used far too much silicone trying to ensure that the tank was sealed, and this silicone is wearing off?... ?I want to believe this was done some time after the tank was built as the seal between the glass panes looks totally different than the over sized beads of silicone running down the joints., but I can't be sure.There are no gaps or bubbles between the 3/4" glass panes. ?The rim of the tank is secure and completely intact. ?Overall the tank seems solid as a rock, but this old silicone has me worried.My backup plan at this point is finding someone that could come to my house and reseal the tank in place. ?I am hoping to avoid this if at all possible.The tank is too large to move back out of the house to do a leak test. ?I don't have anywhere to hold it even for a week, and I don't think I can get the manpower to move it back out of the house without hiring someone. ?I had 6 friends help move it in, and the tank had to be turned on edge to get get it through the door and it almost killed the 6 of us. ? The only time I am getting the tank back out of the house is when it leaves for good. ??I am left with carefully testing it in place and preparing for the worst.?My plan
ay 1: ?Fill 1/4 of water (tap water) and install my pair of Gyre 150 powerheads on opposite side of the tank. ?Dial the Gyre's up to 70% and watch carefully for leaks or signs of water seeping behind the silicone for 24 hours.Day 2: Fill it up to half full, move the pumps up the walls a bit and continue observing for 24 hours.Day 3: Fill to 75% and move the pumps up. ?Dial them up to 80-100% (what ever won't cause the water to splash around) and observe for 24 hours.At this point I would assume the tank should be safe enough and go ahead with adding rock, sand, and saltwater.?Is this a long and strenuous enough test? ?Is there something else I should be doing? ?Suggestions, comments, concerns are more than welcome. ?Thanks!
ay 1: ?Fill 1/4 of water (tap water) and install my pair of Gyre 150 powerheads on opposite side of the tank. ?Dial the Gyre's up to 70% and watch carefully for leaks or signs of water seeping behind the silicone for 24 hours.Day 2: Fill it up to half full, move the pumps up the walls a bit and continue observing for 24 hours.Day 3: Fill to 75% and move the pumps up. ?Dial them up to 80-100% (what ever won't cause the water to splash around) and observe for 24 hours.At this point I would assume the tank should be safe enough and go ahead with adding rock, sand, and saltwater.?Is this a long and strenuous enough test? ?Is there something else I should be doing? ?Suggestions, comments, concerns are more than welcome. ?Thanks!