Fluval is leaking! Need options.

Hi:

The Fluval 404 on my 72 aggressive fowler sprung a leak aroung the gasket and dumped 6-8 gallons on the rug. The 72 bowfront also has a very slow leak. The only show is salt creap on the front. Part of my long term plan is to replace the 72 with a larger (90-125ish) fowler tank. I'm considering using this as an opportunity to make changes to the system. This just happened so I'm bouncing ideas off the wall.

1. Simply replace the Fluval with another Fluval or a different canister filter. It's quick easy and cheap. I could even cycle an old Hot Magnum in there for a while. I have a Rainbow Lifeguard 900 on the tank so biologic filtration isn't an issue. It is a bandaid till I decide on the "future".

2. Take this as an opportunity to tie the den into the refuge/sump/skimmer in the basement while still using the 72. This will allow me to remove all the pumps and junk from the back of the tank and run the pipes into the basement. All filtration, heating, auto topoff and water changes for the FOWLER and the 300 will be handled by the big basement sump. That is my long term plumbing goal. Then I'll be set for the next tank upgrade.

3. I know of 2 good used RR AGA tanks for sale. A 90 and a 120. The 90 includes a hood and stand. The 120 is just the tank so I'd need to modify my old stand. Both are just under $300. I can do #1 till this weekend and just shift over to #2 with a "new" tank. I'm not real charged about this as I wanted to go acrylic, especially for a used tank, but for a FOWLER it's OK. The advantage is that I'm done and hopefully don't need to do this over again in a couple months.

continuing to think aloud, I'm leaning towards #1 and closely watch the water quality. It's me being lazy and I currently only have 3 fish in the tank (Niger, Queen and Sailfin). #2 is attractive too. Then I can keep watching the local boards and Ebay for a "perfect" final solution.

Opinions?

 

This happen to my 304. It started to leak around the gasket like yours. Then a lot of water started to come out (FLOOD in my living room). I got to it right away and still lost 5g of water. The only good thing is that I was due for a water change, so I didn't mind to much. I had a sump made for me yesterday. On the left side I'm going to put some PURA pads instead of bio balls, in the middle is my refugium, and on the left side I have my mag pump.
I'm going to put some teflon (I think thats what it's called, the white tape for pluming) around the fluval and hopefully stop the leak and start up my sump with it. Good luck.

 

Go with the 120 tank, you won't be sorry if you want a FOWLR. I have a 120 long and could have bought a 220g instead and I regret not buying it. Now I'm planning on upgrading to a 220g.

 

OK, I'm going with the bandaid option #1. I'm not going to knee jerk into anything.

Raven is right, I will not be happy with a 90 FOWLER. A used glass tank isn't in the cards unless it's almost free. I'm going to rummage around the basement and dig out an old Hot Magnum. I managed to keep an old 130 show going with a Hot Magnum, Seaclone 150 and small fluidized bed for years without a problem before it sprung a leak. I can keep a 72 running with no problem.

So, if anyone knows of a used 120-150 acrylic (Doesn't have to be RR) in Chicago for cheap, shoot me a PM. At this point I think I'm done with new tanks.

 

Just a point I have not seen anybody mention. The rubber O ring has to be lubed with vaseline everytime you take the top off.