Resealing Tanks?

Bktgifridays · Mar 13, 2012

I've recently gotten into the DIY part of the aquarium hobby, which I'm finding is just as fun as the fish keeping itself! I've made a couple of smaller all-glass tanks using using the standard "GE Silicone #1" with good results!(30 gallon up and running with no issues for 2 months) but....apparently I'm not very good at resealing leaky tanks! Had a minor disaster with a 110 gallon and another 45 gallon that didn't hold. With that all said, I'm just wondering if there is a stronger product I could use such as an epoxy or something? I'm not as concerned about appearance as I am functionality!

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fly boy · Mar 13, 2012

silicone is more than strong enough , you need to take the leaky panel out , strip all of the old silicone off and make sure its totally dry before you glue it all back together and give it sufficient time to dry before you re fill it

smitty03281964 · Mar 13, 2012

That is the main thing making sure that the glass is completely clean. I have never used any silicone other than All-Glass. Also i don't thing you need to take the pane out.

joe jaskot · Mar 13, 2012

Resealing a tank is easy. Preparation is the key. No need to remove the pane of glass. You have to reseal the whole tank. New caulk does not stick to old caulk very well. Cut out the caulk on the inside of the tank. A vacuum helps picking up the small pieces of caulk. After caulk is removed clean area to be caulked with acetone or rubbing alcohol. Apply caulk. Smooth out with finger or tool. Let dry for 48 hours before filling.

nolapete · Mar 13, 2012

fly boy said:
silicone is more than strong enough , you need to take the leaky panel out , strip all of the old silicone off and make sure its totally dry before you glue it all back together and give it sufficient time to dry before you re fill it

Absolutely NOT!!! You do not need to remove it.

EricJ7182 · Mar 13, 2012

As long as the inner seal is not pierced you shouldn't have to remove the glass pane. Good Luck

Jloco · Mar 13, 2012

Hey not tryin to interrupt but, I have a 150 all sides good except one is missing the whole pane is it worth repairing ?

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nolapete · Mar 13, 2012

See my post http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...-glass-tanks&p=5636384&viewfull=1#post5636384 for how we reseal tanks.

nolapete · Mar 13, 2012

Yes, I've replaced broken panes. A friend just replaced the bottom of a 180 with glass he got from Glasscages. It's definitely worth it. Just check all the other seals (between the glass). They should look solid and clear with no striations or breaks. You do have to reseal the entire inside of the tank when you replace the missing pane, so get the old silicone cleaned off before even getting your replacement glass. Just inside, not between the panes.

Bktgifridays · Mar 13, 2012

Thank you all, I appreciate the advice. Now, I have done all the necessary steps. Removed old silicone, cleaned with acetone, beaded the seams with GE 100% silicone #1, flattened seams with finger, cured for a week before filling, and still a disaster. Is there any other sort of stronger adhesive/sealant/weld I could use on glass that it won't matter if old silicone is COMPLETELY removed. Something that would cover and adhere to the silicone??? Pond sealant, epoxy, marine adhesives?

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