Resiliconing tanks...

[SBee]

Acquired a 77 and 33 gal tank tonight......for free!!...plus a bunch of filters and stuff :)

The 77 requires complete resealing...leaks all along the bottom, and we'll probably do the 33 too for good measure.

Any tips or tricks??

[corvettekid82]

I learned the hard way... If you're going to redo the bottom, you're going to have to redo EVERYTHING. :) I bought large caulk containers of "100% food-surface safe clear silicone" from our local Scotties (hardware store) and it worked very well and wasnt toxic to my fish. As long as its 'food surface safe' and 100% clear silicone, you're good to go! The added bonus is these large tubes only cost 4 dollars where a small tube from your LFS will cost you just as much :rolleyes: and in a caulking gun, its much easier to apply evenly and control.

[RENEGADE]

wet paper towel(to clean your finger) a cup of water(to wet the paper towel) and your finger(to apply the silicon)

[Dwarfnut]

I've done this several times now and it's not too hard. First, get a good razor scraper and get all the old silicone out. I then use some masking tape to mark off where I want the silicone to go, so as you put it on, you can remove the tape and get nice perfect, even edges. The blue painters tape works great for this. Just make sure once you put on the silicon and smooth it with you finger to pull the tape up immediately, before it starts to set up, otherwise, you will get a big mess! Also, I clean with isopropyl right before the new silicone goes on for a very nice, clean surface.

Good luck,
Bill C.

[Jinks]

those all sound like good tips, thanks!!


Someone told us that it's easiest to rip out the old silicone one joint at a time, and replace it one joint at a time, so that the tank holds its shape while the job is being done. Is this a good idea??
As opposed to ripping out all the silicone, and holding the thing together with braces of some sort?

[Dwarfnut]

I've always ripped out all the old silicone first... never had a problem with even two pieces of glass coming apart. There will still be silicone/glue in between the glass pieces, so don't go poking the razor in there as there should be no need.

If you do one at a time, I think you will end up with a big mess! You'll probably end up getting junk in the new silicone and disturbing it's finish as well as possibly having difficulty getting the seams to seal good if one is allowed to start setting up and then you add more to it.

Bill C.

[Dempsey]

I just resealed my 60' and was wondering if approx. 5mm of silicone from each corner should be enough. How large a bead should there be?:confused:

[hatcheridiot]

Here ya go.......

http://aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=107

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Spinelli_Resealing_Aquarium.html

[NewObsession]

I was going to start a new thread for this question, but from the look sof it I can just sneak it into here. When making a new tank and running the silicone bead on the inside, you don't have to do it while the silicon holding the tank together are still wet do you? I was thinking it woudl be tricky to do if the seams are wet since it would tend to slide, and after reading this, if you reseal a tank they are obviously already dry right?

[hatcheridiot]

Correct.