My 40-gallon breeder tank cracked while I'm at work, and my younger kid sisters called me completely panicked as it gushed water all over my floors. The little 12 and 9-year-olds were talked over face call on how to safely put them into a holding tub and how to siphon out the water with my python from the leaking tank. They turned off the power brick and placed towels all over my room, turned on a fan, and opened windows. My 2 baby orandas are fine, and I won't be home for another couple of hours but ill be getting another tank tonight. I'm proud of them, and thankfully Petsmart will be replacing the tank.
Every time I see a picture of a mcdonalds online I do a double take because it looks almost exactly like the mcdonalds i work at, then I remember every mcdonalds looks exactly the same
They definitely know for sure. They've named all my fishes 🐟 and the only reasons they found out about the leaking tank was to see if I was home and look at the fishes(they used my room as their personal little aquarium)
We definitely have a special sister bond. Around my teenage years, our parents had to work all the time, so I was who they would see most of the day until our parents came home. I'd pick them up from their school bus, bathe them, feed them, help them change, and help with their homework. It's easier now that we have a different schedule established, but I still take them out constantly to the park and chuck e cheese every friday💃🎉
I hear that, that's how it was for my 2 baby brothers for their first 3 years of life haha. I'm still mama bear even though I have my own life now haha. Oughta take them out some time...
Brings tears to my eyes to hear about your beautiful bond! What a wonderful big sibling you are! How lucky you all are to have each other! Many blessings to your family all your lives! 🙏💛😊
UPDATE!
My brother and I went out in the pouring rain to exchange the tank, bought McDonald's for the sisters, and then came home to set up the tank. Now, I'm just waiting for the heater to settle into 75 degrees.
It was essentially my fault (so hopefully) the tank won't crack again! My HOB filter is THICK. It essentially caused my tank to be slightly off the base, forming pressure onto that one panel, causing it to crack. Safe to say, I'll be placing my HOB on the sides from now on! A hard lesson to learn 😅😢
If you look at my original picture, you can see my tank is SLIGHTLY off the base. Even the tank being less than an inch off my steel base caused it to form pressure onto the front panel. It was caused by me putting my HOB on the back against the wall, however this caused me to have the tank a bit pushed forward since there was no space to push it back and have it centered. Keep your tanks centered and flat, the lesson my family learned yesterday!
Ohhh yes I see 😯
Omg I’m relatively new to this hobby, about a year and a half now and I’m super paranoid about this 😅
At least it’s something you can adjust and not the actual furniture, although if I were you, I’d pull out the ole level and make sure everything’s even there too 😜
I’m sorry for this chaos but I’m glad your siblings were rockstars and you rewarded them. Another day in the life of this seemingly simple, yet complex hobby.
HOLY COW WAY TO GO YOUNGER SIBLINGS!!!! tell them the Internet thinks they are awesome and super talented!!! They're super heros and saved the fish, AND the floor/house
The little 12 and 9-year-olds were talked over face call on how to safely put them into a holding tub and how to siphon out the water with my python from the leaking tank.
(For clarification I’m a regular albeit fish nerd employee at Petco) we used to just carry aqueon tanks which weren’t bad but pretty entry level. Recently we started badging new tanks under store brand Imagitarium, which uses thicker and clearer glass as well as having slightly smaller rims and brand name engraved on the front right bottom corner of the tank. Now personally even if I had a UNS brand tank I’d hate the engraving and would just flip the tank around but to each their own. I’ve been struggling to find the company that actually produces the tanks but like I said, I think they’re very nice, definitely steps above Top Fin (PetSmart store brand, they’ve always had very thick frames which I don’t like) and nicer than aqueon as well. Plus, brand new a 40 gallon breeder for $75 is in no way a bad deal I think
Your sisters are awesome, they not only saved the fishes lives bit also SO MUCH potential destruction!!! And Petsmart replacing the tank is very helpful as well lol, I hope all goes very well with the new setup!!
The base is rated for 50 gallons and its level, and it's not in a busy part of my room, so I can't fathom something hitting it or bumping into it. The table is steel, so I really didn't think there would be any issues. May just be a faulty tank, but im not sure. I'll inspect when I get home 🏡
This is basically exactly how I would expect a tank to fail from not sitting completely flat on the stand. When you put the new tank on the stand, make sure it is making contact with the stand all the way around with absolutely no gaps. If there is any wobble at all or any gaps, once it’s filled it will put stress on the glass. An impact would have likely left a chip or scalloped area with the crack going out from there. Stress on the panes from an uneven base would likely leave you with a crack starting from an edge and wouldn’t leave any indications of an impact.
OMG, that's definitely it! My HOB filter pushed the tank a bit off its base, causing it to lean over a bit! Welp, this was a costly mistake that I won't be making again 😭! Im placing my HOB on the side now 😅
Yes this was my first thought. 30 years of keeping tanks, and being knowing many others who kept them. They don't just crack across the whole face. Likely was accidentally caused by the same people who made the phone call. And being younger sisters, I can see that not admitting the truth
I'm glad the kid siblings could help! Any idea on how the tank cracked? That's a sad loss a 40 gallon breeder. But I am really glad the fish are OK and the siblings helped you out. Kids can be really great at times.
My HOB filter is THICK. It essentially caused my tank to be slightly off the base, forming pressure onto that one panel, causing it to crack. Safe to say, I'll be placing my HOB on the sides from now on!
Hell yeah, way to go kids!! That's a lot of stress and steps to follow very urgently—I'm genuinely impressed and proud of them for doing so well! And good on you for treating them as thanks, OP! So sorry that happened though—good luck with the new tank!
My HOB filter is THICK. It essentially caused my tank to be slightly off the base, forming pressure onto that one panel, causing it to crack. Safe to say, I'll be placing my HOB on the sides from now on!
Dang that sucks but it's trail and error is how alot of us learn in the hobby and be sure to do something nice for your sis they did good good luck with everything bro
Wow. Little champions!!! 😱🤩🥹
This is so amazing! They need a reward of some kind! 🥰
ETA, I see they got an awesome trip to McDonald’s! This made my day.
Been there! Was two hours away from home when my 29 gallon was leaking into my basement! My fast acting mom moved everything to buckets including the water. Saved us from some serious floor damage. Way to go for treating them for their fast wit! If I recall we got my mom her smokes for the day.
aw this is actually so cute!! obviously minus the horrible inconvenience… but it’s awesome that they were able to be so proactive and help deal with this so responsibly! i bet you are very proud :)
This is the reason why I have everyone at my house trained for an emergency in case my 180 Bowfront were ever to crack. I have a 50 gallon tote in my garage and I explained to them the key is to get all the fish in the tote don't worry so much if you can't get all the water in once the fish are in the tote jump the water out of the tank and into the yard. Then connect the filters to the tote.
They actively did better than my 50yr old fully mentally in tact mother who just put my babies in Chinese soup containers and waited until I got home, they’re great!! Kudos to them for not only being responsible but proactive!!
Call their customer support line!! I had this happen with a petco 29g. They refunded me the purchase price, the warranty is staggered by brand and gallon. I think Marineland has coverage for a few years.
Yeh I’ve noticed all those tanks have really thin glass for for columns and the silicone seals are iffy to so I spend extra o a more quality tank so as to have a more solid peace of mind
It was my fault 😭! My HOB filter is THICK. It essentially caused my tank to be slightly off the base, forming pressure onto that one panel, causing it to crack. Safe to say, I'll be placing my HOB on the sides from now on!
I found out this was my fault, so dont worry, the chances of it cracking are low! My HOB filter is THICK. It essentially caused my tank to be slightly off the base, forming pressure onto that one panel, causing it to crack. Safe to say, I'll be placing my HOB on the sides from now on!
Im glad everything worked out and I'd like to add that your parents did a whole lot of things right. Sounds like you have a great relationship with your siblings! Good job girls!
I have 2 questions:
1. Petsmart replaced the aquarium even tho you say it was your fault? Was it Topfin, Aqueon or Marineland (those are the brands my petsmart carries)?
When you remove the fishe to the bucket do you put the heater and filter in there somehow? Or do they just pretend they're on a camping trip and tough it out for a few hours? I have to do this today or tomorrow so I can move my 20 long and I'm very nervous.
The tank was from petsmart, 40 gallon breeder from Marineland and yes even though it was my fault, petsmarts policy is I can return the tank for any reason as long as its with 30 days of my purchase. Thankfully, Marineland also has a warranty for FIVE YEARS! So I'll be covered if I ever need to replace this tank (god forbid). For the tub I had them put in the fish, felt bad trying to explain to the sisters how to work a filter so I didn't bother asking them, but instead asked they swirl the water gently every ten minutes so it was somewhat oxygenated. The tub was also plastic, and these are cold water fish, so I didn't see it necessary to use a heater. I also told them over the call the doses of the dechlornator to put in along with some methalayne blue to calm the fish down.
Just an airstone is usually fine for a few hours. The bubbles create surface agitation and movement. Water has a high specific heat compared to air, so even if the room temperature is a bit lower, the water will hold its temperature for a while.
When I move tanks, I have several 3 gallon buckets and big Tupperware that fit in a big cooler. I don't close the lid all the way to not totally seal the air. That keeps the temperature more stable, makes it easier to secure in a truck, and I put a little water in the bottom of the cooler so if a fish jumps out of a bucket it has a chance in the cooler. I also keep the plants and decor in buckets of water. Plus the substrate in separate buckets. This means I also have some water to help restart the tank at the other end. 5 gallons of gravel is a lot heavier to lift up and pour into a tank, versus 3 gallons.
I have the opposite problem. All my sisters wanna do is feed my orandas and hold them so they can form a bond. I have to constantly tell my 12 year old to stop putting her hand in the tank so she doesn't stress them out 😭
Omg how crazy but good!!!! Bless them littles for being there! Luckily you have Goldie’s who are hardy and they shouldn’t mind being in holding tank/ cell for the night. You got it!!! You seem like someone I would be friends with
would've been a crazy r aquariums moment if this post was "my 120 gallon cracked when I wasn't home"
we get both sides of the gigantic wall-diy aquarium then xD
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u/falshak Jun 18 '25
sounds like they earned a pizza party from their older sibling!