75 gallon All Glass, resealing, reinforcement.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
markstrimaran

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2015
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OK I finally got it in the garage, to start removing old silicone and drill it some more.
Have a problem, the lower corner plastic frame has a 3/8" hair line crack. Right in the 90 degree corner.
What to do.

1. Drill the end of the crack.
2. Drill the whole crack, and plastic glue.
3. 1/8" thick epoxy, glass cloth ring around frame..
4 . I am hoping that the silicone inside, is so strong that the frame is mostly a chip protector.
5. Replace lower plastic frame, if I can find a 48.5" x 18.5" od. I can only find 48"x18"

20160330_190233.jpg
Is it worth the effort to try and cut out the heavily siliconed, overflow, the silicone inside it is in good condition.

1.Does new silicone bond well to the old?

2. I also want to silicone some clear corner guards. If I can find something.

Thanks
 
You won't get a proper bond laying new silicone over old.

Per the label, that's a 20yr/old tank. Hate to say it, but I'd probably shell out another $120-140 for a new 75g. I paid $140 for mine from an (grossly overpriced and now closed) LFS a little over 2yrs ago. Or maybe a CraigsList deal can be had?
 
FreshyFresh said:
You won't get a proper bond laying new silicone over old.

Per the label, that's a 20yr/old tank. Hate to say it, but I'd probably shell out another $120-140 for a new 75g. I paid $140 for mine from an (grossly overpriced and now closed) LFS a little over 2yrs ago. Or maybe a CraigsList deal can be had?
Click to expand...

I want one that I can drill. All the new ones seam to be tempered glass.
 
Yep, 55's and up typically have tempered bottom glass only.
 
I forgot to mention. The tank is going in a corner. A drilled bottom is the route, I need to go to the sump with.
I currently have a lot more time than money. I will strip the whole tank and reseal. I read guitar strings are handy for overflow removal.
It has to be easier than cutting out a windshield. I am surprised urathane adhesive are not used to build aquariums. Must be toxic.
Took about 30 minutes too do 3 corners so far. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
 
Any ideas about the black silicone over top the clear, it seams like a strong bond, Factory built?
 
It took about 5 minutes to cut the overflow out with guitar wire. The bottom was done in 10 minutes. Getting the last little specks probably 30 minutes. Including a good cleaning.
 
I would strip it reseal it and not do anything about the plastic frame. Older tanks like that often had the frame built in separate pieces anyways so it doesn't do much for the tank. More of an aesthetic and chip protection than providing any support. I had a few tanks where the bottom frame was just angled aluminum siliconed to the base
 
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