Resealing a tank

[Linconooni]

Has anyone done this before?

the Juwel vision I got had a slight leak on the bottom seam. It had been previously repaired but I could see in one corner where it had bubbled and not stuck to the glass (as if it had Not been dry when it had been applied).

I’ve stripped away the replacement silicone on all four bottom edges. It’s been cleaned air blasted and dried, I’m waiting for the aquarium silicone to arrive now.

However. I’ve not removed the vertical original sealant which was water tight. But on reading up about resealing tanks , some are saying that new silicone will not bond to old silicone. Does this mean it is literally impossible to successfully reseal a tank without stripping all eight edges and applying new? Because there will never be a water tight seal between my fresh sealant on the bottom, and the bottom edge of the original sealant??!

 

[fishorama]

Yes, you need to reseal the entire tank. New silicone doesn't stick to old. Prep is all! Razor blade & rubbing alcohol will be your friends, Get it all off!! But don't slice into the glass to glass areas. Then masking tape off all the seams ~1/4 inch away from each corner You only need to be tidy where it might show; the sides; the bottom will have substrate to hide any unevenness. The actual silicone application is easy & needs to be fairly quick. Practice on a cardboard box corner if you're not used to caulking.

 

[Linconooni]

Thanks Fishorama ☺ While the idea was a bit worrying I’ve gone and stripped it all now - just waiting for the tube of aquarium silicone to be delivered now ??

 

[Linconooni]

 

[Amazoniantanklvr]

What size tank is that? a 46 bow?

 

[Linconooni]

It’s a Juwel Vision 180l. So yes about 46 US gallons. I’m in the UK ✌?

 

[Amazoniantanklvr]

It’s a Juwel Vision 180l. So yes about 46 US gallons. I’m in the UK ✌?

ah, ok.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I've always seen re-sealing a tank as kind of a 50% job unless you're somehow completely disassembling the tank and siliconing the glass panels together like they are from the factory.

There's 2 seals of sorts. The one that "glues" the panels together, then the beads that are applied around the perimeter and vertical joints.

 

[Linconooni]

Obviously removing the joint sealant would be much more trouble than it’s worth. The inner edges of glass are now clear and clean of the beading sealant, so when that is reapplied there ought to be a watertight seal all the way round. But we won’t know that until this weekend when it’s been applied, left to cure and brimmed with water ?

 

[FreshyFresh]

Ought to be indeed.