How easy or hard is it to re-silicone a tank?

[Jspigs]

I have the opportunity to pic up a 30 gallon tank with stand, lights, etc. free but it apparently has a split in the silicone and needs to be re-siliconed.

So I want to know how easy or hard it would be to re-silicone it and what materials I would need.

 

[Rbishop]

An interior re-seal...easy. A complete re-seal where you break the panes apart is a bit more effort, but really worth the effort on larger and free tanks, IMO.

 

[andyjh]

When it says "one side has a split", that wouldn't satisfy me, because the other three sides might not be far behind. It would most likely require a complete interior silicone strip-out, requiring razor blades, alcohol etc, and to be redone with 100% silcone sealant. Problem is, it's really quite a bit of effort for a "regular" 30 gallon tank, but the "free" aspect may make it worthwhile. I believe there are a number of tutuorials on how to do it if you googled it.
Andy

 

[Jspigs]

Since I am a complete newbie to these kinds of things I will stick with the interior reseal.

 

[Jspigs]

When it says "one side has a split", that wouldn't satisfy me, because the other three sides might not be far behind. It would most likely require a complete interior silicone strip-out, requiring razor blades, alcohol etc, and to be redone with 100% silcone sealant. Problem is, it's really quite a bit of effort for a "regular" 30 gallon tank, but the "free" aspect may make it worthwhile. I believe there are a number of tutuorials on how to do it if you googled it.
Andy

Are these instructions any good?: http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=107

 

[Nolapete]

stripping apart the glass to reseal is absolutely NOT necessary and as someone who refurbishes many tanks I strongly recommend against it, especially for a novice.

Pictures of the "split" would be helpful to point you in the right direction.

Resealing a tank is tedious, but easy. It opens up a lot of great deals if you know how.

that link is a pretty good start.

Bad advice though on "don't skimp on the silicone" though. A bead about the size of a regular drinking straw is max that you'd need before smoothing it out.

 

[andyjh]

Yes. I think those instructions are good (and I think I found those myself when resealing a tank last year). I think a key part of the job aside from stripping and cleaning the old silicone out, is using that masking tape to get a nice clean silicone line up the sides. The bottom isn't nearly as important as far as neatness goes, as this will be covered with gravel.

 

[Jspigs]

stripping apart the glass to reseal is absolutely NOT necessary and as someone who refurbishes many tanks I strongly recommend against it, especially for a novice.

Pictures of the "split" would be helpful to point you in the right direction.

Resealing a tank is tedious, but easy. It opens up a lot of great deals if you know how.

that link is a pretty good start.

Bad advice though on "don't skimp on the silicone" though. A bead about the size of a regular drinking straw is max that you'd need before smoothing it out.

Unfortunately it is a craigslist ad and the seller did not provide any pics.

 

[chickenlady]

Speaking of silacone. Is there any kind of silacone I can get at say home depot, or Lowes? Every type of silacone I look at says not for use underwater, or not for aquariums. Silacone for aquariums costs a lot more money, and comes in small tubes. Any ideas? Thank you, Patricia

 

[andyjh]

Patricia- Silicone in the regular caulking cartridges at Home Depot or Lowes will be fine. It must say "100% Silicone" on the cartridge and NOT contain any of the anti-mildew or anti-bacterial chemicals in it. The ones containing these chemicals are clearly marked as such. I believe the substance you want to avoid is called "Microban". I resealed a tank using plain old 100% Silicone and had NO problems with it. I'd ignore the warnings not to use on fish tanks as long as you're positive that it's 100% Silicone.