240 Gallon to 300 Gallon - Upgrade

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

During the weekend, I removed all the glass patches, used a razor blade scraper to remove the silicone and then completely removed the trim on the bottom of the tank. This gives me full access underneath to the crack so I can completely patch it this time. I'm getting acetone today to finish cleaning it up.

I'm going to do this differently this time, instead of smearing silicone on the glass pane and sticking it to the glass, I'm going to run a bead of silicone on all the cracks and them smear it to about 3" or so on either side. Then will let it dry a few days. Then once the glass arrives i will then add it to the bottom of the tank and silicone it in place and wait a few days again. I think by doing it this way, the silicone can actually cure because when I removed the old glass panes, the silicone was not cured, looked like I just put it on there.

I actually like the look of the tank without the trim, makes it look bigger. The trim was broke anyways so it was time for it to go.

I'm feeling pretty good with this approach, this time around. I will then test fill it half way and wait a day or so to check for leak, while cleaning up the outside of the tank.

 

[theanimalman]

If this is an old Odell 300 then I've been in your shoes before. I removed all silicone from the inside of the tank and resealed. Had to cover a few holes on the bottom, it had been set up as a salt water with a bunch of closed loops.
My mind set was always that the patch on the inside of the tank was stopping the water/reinforcing the glass, so I would completely cover the patch with silicone. No air bubbles or air gaps between the tank glass and the patch. Press the patch on against the tank glass as tight as possible. The patch on the outside of the tank is just for reinforcing. Water pressure will just push silicone out of the way on the outside of the tank, especially if it hasn't cured long enough.
You will be a pro by the time you get this tank water worthy and up and running. Good luck.
Looking forward to seeing it full of water.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Looks like I "might" have mad some progress. I siliconed the bottom after removing old silicone, using acetone, etc. I filled it up halfway and no leaks, but I didn't go far enough with the silicone, but it was a very slow drop. So I drained it just now, cleaned up the spot and then added new silicone. So Sun or Mon I will test fill again. The real test will be when it's filled up all the way, I'm ready for this to be over.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Looks like the added work paid off, no leaks at halfway, going to fill all the way tonight and let sit for a day or two

 

[thrillbillie12]

Looks like the added work paid off, no leaks at halfway, going to fill all the way tonight and let sit for a day or two

Hope it works out this time.

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[SePPii]

Any update?


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[cdrake261]

...shoot! I just read the original post and started to get exciting about you not needing your 240 gal until I saw that you sold it....

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Looks like today I decided to remove the old silicon inside the tank and reseal, probably should have done it in the first place but tried to find an easy way out. I have all the trim removed, either will get new or leave it as is, so far have one corner silicone removed and cleaned up, moving onto the second corner.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Tank is almost stripped of the silicone. I vacuumed out the excess silicone so I can see what areas are left, I may be done tomorrow or Thursday inside, hoping to be done by Friday completely. I'm trying to order the brace/trim for the top and bottom as well. I'm leaving those panes of glass in there as well, too much trouble trying to pry them up unless someone here has any ideas.

 

[mustang93svt]

Are you planing on just re siliconing as it is now? If I had it this far apart I would disassemble and run all new silicone. As far as that goes I would replace the bottom pane too. Not cheap, but then again you'd basically have a new tank. I went through them same exact thing your going through with a leaking 300, lost money on it when I sold it. And the person who got it completely disassemble it and re siliconed it holds water now. Just my 2 cents... Leaking tanks suck...