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Is a salt creep siphon possible?

fatoldsun

fatoldsun

NJRC Member
Ok so I came home to find about 5 gallons of water on the basement floor. My QT tank is on a rack I built down there. It appeared to be the culprit. So far it doesn't seem to be leaking and the only guess I have is one corner had a MESS of salt creep that looked like I poured liquid wax over the corner. Last night i added my top off water - it had run kind of low as I was dealing with some other stuff over the last week. Anyway when I inspected looking for evidence of a leak I found the salt (didn't occur what it might have been so I didn't think to take pics). Anyway the salt was wet and there were salt stained drip marks on the back of the tank where the salt was. Is it possible that the salt could wick the water when I raised the level with the added top off and created a siphon? Has anyone experienced anything like that before?
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
redfishbluefish said:

NO!

I think you have a leak that is evaporating, leaving the salt deposits behind.
Click to expand...

That sounds more likely to me too. It could be a micro-sized leak in the silicone seam near the top, and as it drips down the corner it deposits the salt. I'd take a closer look at it Dave. Clean the salt creep with some vinegar and then check it in the morning.
 
J

Jcurry@wesketch

clean off the salt creep and dry the area really well. Then tape a dry paper towel over the area. If the paper towel is wet tomorrow then you have a leak.
 
fatoldsun

fatoldsun

NJRC Member
I broke it down and set up a 10 I had from before. The salt may have been a coincidence. There was A LOT of salt creep - and a 30g lost 5-7g in less than 24 hours so I'm guessing that salt started "creeping" before the leak sprung. Better the QT and without delicate fish in it than the DT, sump, etc. It only had 4 mollies and they have a new home once I can drop them off. thanks for the advice guys. And good thing I hung onto that 10 or the mollies would have spent the night in a 5g bucket :)
 
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