Free tank needs new silicone

[FishBliss]

I picked up a free 29 gallon tank from freecycle.org. Came with filter, lights and a tube to re-do the silicone. The previous owner had started trying remove the old silicone (don't know the reason why) and if I want to use it for fish I'll need to finish the job.

I searched this site for tips on how to do that but I didn't see any, so I'm asking. (I did see the long discussion about types of silicone).

I need to know: Am I getting myself into a universe of headaches? In other words, do people succeed, long-term, with new silicone? Are there things to do to avoid problems in the future?
What is the best way to get the old silicone off? Right now I'm using a single edged razor blade.
Is it critical to get every bit of the old off?
Are they ways I can damage my tank doing this?
How do you reapply the new silicone?
What are the big mistakes to avoid?

I'm not even sure all the questions to ask, so feel free to offer any advice you have. If you've done this yourself and you were successful, or if you wish you'd never tried, or if you have other tid-bits of info, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks in advance!



About freecycle.org:
There's almost certainly one in your area, go to http://www.freecycle.org/ -- check it out -- like craigslist or ebay, but FREE. Membership is free, the stuff is free. If you have something you post it, you give it away when someone wants it -- likewise, if you want something, you ask for it -- someone usually has 'one of those' lying around and they give it to you. Price: just go get it.)

[Buckdog]

It's only a 29G so you may want to look at whether or not just buying a new tank would be easier (and safer). You already got some goodies to go with it. It's scary to some folks to reseal a tank for the first time, not knowing if they did it right.

Keep the first one and take your time researching the re-seal process. Eventually you'll have two.

There are lots of other fish forums where folks have done re-seals.

[FishBliss]

Thanks for responding.

[Cyberpaddy66]

I've re-sealed a 3 footer and a 2 footer so far, just clean ALL the silicon off (I used a Stanley blade and craft knives) before using Meths to clean the glass then apply evenly and use a wetted spoon or your thumb to smooth it in place.

Just make sure you leave it to cure for at least 48 hours then fill it with water and leave it testing for a further 48 hours - if it passes it'll be fine :D

BTW - freecycle rocks!

[Rbishop]

Yes, all the old silicone will have to be removed. The new will not bond with the old cured silicone.

[FishBliss]

I've re-sealed a 3 footer and a 2 footer so far, just clean ALL the silicon off (I used a Stanley blade and craft knives) before using Meths to clean the glass then apply evenly and use a wetted spoon or your thumb to smooth it in place.

Just make sure you leave it to cure for at least 48 hours then fill it with water and leave it testing for a further 48 hours - if it passes it'll be fine :D

BTW - freecycle rocks!

sorry, what is "Meths"?

[Cyberpaddy66]

Sorry for not responding sooner, I've been a bit busy.

Methylated Spirits, the stuff you clean your paint brushes with ;)

[The Zigman]

Re sealing a tank is not that difficult..
I wish I had done a DIY when I resealed my 125, Next reseal, I'll do the DIY.

Be sure all of the ols sealant is gone. yes, all of it, you will most likely use several razor blades as they will dull fast.
once you think you have all of the siliconr removed, clean the seams with alcohol or something equivilent.. no not scotch, or bourbon, but isopropal alcohol from the pharmacy...

then double check to make sure no old silicone exists.
I sealed my tank with DAP 100% pure silicone from Home Depot.
it does not say aquarium safe on the label, but it also does not say not to use in aquariums, if they ever thought someone was going to use it for this purpose maybe they would put it on the label...Anyway..

seal the tank, you have to work qucikly as the silicone will skin over relitivly quickly.
Seal the bottom of the tank first, you dont need a huge bead of silicone, you are just sealing the joint where the 2 panes come together.
then do the sides, working from the bottom of the tank up to the top. be sure to get the corners sealed (where 3 panes come together). then do the top. You can smooth out the beads if you like, or if it will look neater.. but if the beads are nice and uniform, and make full contact eith the edges, then you relly dont have to.

I let mine dry and cure for about a week, then I filled it and let is sit for another week to check for leaks...

If it does leak, there is no easy fix you will heve to reseal the whole tank, so be careful, and take your time.

if you spill a big glob of silicone elsewhere on the tank, just letit cure, and scrape it off with a razor blade. If you try to wipe up wet silicone, it will just smear all over.

Hopefully this will help.. Next resael, I will do a step-by-step.

[fishorama]

It's like a lot of DIY, the preparation matters more & takes longer than the actual siliconing. I like to masking tape off about 1/8 inch or so from the joint. Remove the tape after the wet finger/spoon/popsickle stick smoothing. Do all the joints at one time or you'll need to start all over.