Slate-bottom 30 gallon

Sweet tank! I had a slate hex tank when I was a kid.Got it from my grandma.I have no idea what happened to it.How many gallons is that?
 
30 gallons,duh.I should have read the title. :duh:
 
I have one of those. It's a 20 long, though. I'm trying to sell it, need cash to go to the 55 gallon fund. (:
They are neat tanks. I have to agree with that.
 
A few years back a slate bottom 55 went up for auction at my aquarium club. I forget exactly what it sold for, but I do remember that it was considerably more than a brand new all glass one. Larger ones are getting hard to come by. Nice find!
 
After about 12 hours one side of the paper under the aquarium, the left side, was wet. So I'm assuming it leaks : (

I suppose I should just reseal the whole thing....but how exactly do I go about scraping out the stuff that's there? Should I do anything with the tar sealed in bottom? I don't know where on the left side the leak is...but I'm assuming there's a good chance it's on the bottom...

Also, I read that, due to the difficult of silicon adhering to slate, a separate glass panel can be sealed in over the slate (probably expensive?) or the slate should be cleaned throughly to remove any oily residue and then I should try to make a seal with silicon. As for scraping the tar out...I suppose I'll have to heat it? Would a hair dryer type device work? Can I just get it out with a razor blade and some hard work without heating it?

I guess I'll let it sit for a while longer...see if the seal kicks in with some pressure...but it isn't looking all that good.
 
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I would let it sit for awhile, it very well may stop leaking. Years ago it was easy to pick up 'leakers' but they would hold water after awhile. Do not rush...
 
Seriously take a handful of ordinary garden dirt and stir it up really well.
 
:iagree::iagree::iagree:
 
I cleaned the old black sealant out of mine with a razor blade and thoroughly cleaned the slate and glass with vinegar first, then alcohol. Similar to what Sploke mentioned. The silicone sealed to the slate without any issues in my case. If it continues to leak that would be the way to go IMO.
 
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