300G Acrylic Aquarium Renovation / Removing Silicone

[Kayte]

So before I glue/weld the black acrylic sheets to the bottom of my 300 gallon aquarium with weldon #40 as the final step to repairing a crack, I am thinking I need to remove the silicone the previous owner thought he needed to seal the thing. Who knows... maybe the guy bought the aquarium with the silicone sealing the edges? Regardless I am thinking that the weldon #40 will not work as well along the edges if I don't remove the silicone caulking.

Now I am not too worried about scratches. I am in the process of sanding and buffing all the little scuffs and scratches on the outside and inside of the aquarium. I need to finish the bottom crack repair before I sand and buff down the inside panels. So I have been using a razor. But really? This is excruciating slow work and I don't seem to be getting all of it. Is there something I can use to make removing silicone easier? A chemical perhaps? A tool other than a razor to help especially in the corners? I read somewhere that a blowdryer might help. Has anyone tried this?

I sanded off the silicone residue off the bottom. Should I do that along the edges with perhaps a low grit wet/dry sandpaper than 320 once I get the majority off?

There must be a better way. I am so tired of fitting my body through the tiny windows on top of the tank (or rather my fat little body). So if there is an "easy" button to this so to speak, I really need to know.

Kayte

 

[M1A1]

A razor scraper until you just have the thin film/residue left is what I do. I've had success with a dremel and a tight wire wheel/brush removing the last bits but that was on glass. If you're already sanding out the imperfections then some additional whirls from a wire brush might not be too much of an issue?

I haven't had any success with a hair dryer or heat gun.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Are you sure that the bottom seams are in good shape? I'm just thinking that maybe the previous owner might have had a leak in one of the seams and just siliconed the bottom as a "fix" to seal the tank back up.

As for removing the silicone from the acrylic, I would recommend a very careful razor blade. It will be extremely easy to damage the acrylic compared to the glass. Think about how acrylic gets wear scratches over time but glass usually doesn't. Just be careful.

 

[Starship]

I am looking at the same thing. someone used silicone to seal plastic on the holes in the bottom of my tank.

I would like to remove patches, remove silicon, and apply acrylic with Weldon 16

 

[Dieselhybrid]

As mentioned get as much off mechanically, but you need the adhesive residue out of there as well. The 40 won't stick well to the silicone in there, you need to remove it. To get the residue out, I like to use a little everclear on a rag in quick swipes. Be careful not to pour any and let it puddle, or use a soaked rag. You just want a tiny bit to clean the surface without soaking the acrylic and having any prolonged contact time. Slightly damp passes with a microfiber work great for clean up without risking crazing the hell out of the tank. I know some guys that use acetone to prep the acrylic. You have to be careful not to go too heavy with solvent or it will eat into the material and make it craze. After you get it clean you can tip and pour the whole tank seam by seam and reinforce with #40

Do you have any pictures? Let's see this and we can help you. Weldon 16 is junk. Only use it for non pressurized welds. It's a poor man's #40 at best.

 

[Starship]

This is one of three. Tank setting on garage floor. It had been is use with these patches. So im not sure if I want to "leave it" or "fix it right"

 

[Dieselhybrid]

I would try to remove it especially if it's just silicone. A patch like that is easy to do capillary welded with weldon #4 and a square piece like that. I suspect they used silicone so it's probably barely holding on.