How to be prepared for minimizing the risk of water damage from your aquarium.
A fish keeper’s nightmare is water damage. This nightmare hardly ever occurs but you still should be prepared for it. Most mishaps are caused by an over flowing tank, a leak in the tank or a filter that has become clogged. Water damage usually costs a lot to repair so it’s worth the time to ask your insurance agent what costs they will cover.
It is very important to have your aquarium tested for water leaks. Test your tank by filling it outdoors and look for leaks. After draining the test water, bring the tank indoors. Aquarium caulking will last several years but I’ve seen it go in less than a few months. It is important to perform routine inspections on your tank and your equipment.
When setting up an aquarium, put it on a sheet of Styrofoam. This will enable the aquarium to settle onto a flatter and more even surface with as little stress to the glass as possible. Make sure your tank is fully supported underneath.
One of the biggest things to remember is the weight of water. Water weighs ten pounds per gallon. If you have a 50 gallon aquarium, that’s 500 pounds that could snap at any time if your tank is not on a suitable stand. Be sure to calculate the weight factor when selecting an aquarium stand and when deciding where to put your tank.
If you have a problem with something electrical on your tank and it’s in the water, don’t touch it. Only safely pull out the plug and if you are on dry ground and the equipment is not submersed. If this is not possible, turn off the circuit breaker from the electrical panel. Water and electricity do not mix.
With a few precautions, you may never suffer the nightmare of water damage.
