Resealing Aquarium

clayt101

Registered Abuser
Is it necessary to remove the old silicone before resealing, or can I just put the new sealent on top?
 
you need to remove the old silicone first. silicone doesnt bond to silicone
 
I have a tank on my rack I think i'm about to have to do this to. (I think i've seen a trace of moisture under one of it's seams while cycling and prepping it.)

Where would you guys say the best on line guide for this procedure is? Is there a definative work on the subject?
 
resealing...

I did this recently here is what i did.
1) slice out all the silicone with a box knife.

2) next clean all the glass seams with steel wool and rubbing alcohol

3)vacumn out all the bits of steel and silicone.

4)wipe out the interior with alcohol
5) run masking tape 3/8 from the joint around all seams. This so you can lay in the silicone with nice seams. After you caulk it wait a minute and remove the tape it will leave a nice clean line.

6)Make sure you use a caulking gun to seal it. Also make sure you use 100% pure silicone.NOT bath and tub silicone as it contains mold inhibitors which are toxic to fish. I use home hardware brand slicone it was marked safe for aquariums. Alsi it was 9.99 for 3 large tubes enough to do a bunch of tanks.

7) When you run the seams wear rubber gloves so you can use your finger to smooth the seams or you can use a special silicone spreader for about 5$
Good Luck
KUHLI
 
you could also wet your finger and use that to smooth out the silicone.

good luck! :)
 
Wow, thanks kuhli. I have just removed the old silicone and was wondering how to remove the silicone that does not scrape off. I was also wondering about the strait edges...you would have thought that after painting walls, I would have thought about masking tape.:rolleyes:
Thanks
 
tanks for the info looking to repair a 45h for juvenile jags that i currently have and are taken up space else where. will be doing this this weekend if i can wait until christmas passes........
 
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