any tips on re sealing a 220 gal. aquarium to hold water again?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
see thats what i am wondering and torn between something is telling me to remove the bottom panel or all panels and rebuild it,but i hear both sides and not sure if i should or not,really wanna do it right the first time
 
FYI paper mask bad:( because they don't seal like a NOSH mask where the vapors do make it in they get in at a very large concentration. Like sniffing acetone through a straw.
 
Remove just the bottom glass; be sure that the tank is on a flat level surface and wont move. Don't at any time pry the glass just use the razor to slice through the silicone and then it will come right off. trust me it's a pain but well worth the effort. If you want more info PM me and we can talk over the phone.
 
Okay so while I wait for your call. the tank should be upside down (opening down) and you will need alot of razors when you think you've bought enough buy another pack. the hardest part is getting the glass off. So using a thin bladed box cutter type razor start slicing through the seam; like cutting steak. Work about one foot at a time and just cutting half way through the seam all the way around until your back where you started. Now slice through the seam until the razor appears 1/2" on the other side and then contiue all the way around do not pry even with the razor I've had friends do this and not be paitent ended up repairing the glass too. once you get off all the silicone with a scraping razor and then when it looks like your done get a green 3m scrubbing pad and scrub all the surfaces that will be in contact with silicone you can use just water or acetone. the point of this is to clean but most of all you will dull any silicone left on the glass making it very visable to you then scrape and repeat once more. once cleaned lay atleast a 1/2" bead on the tank edges and then set you bottom glas down. Weigh down the glass; I used 15lb bags of sand about 7-10 bags. Then smooth the outside I let it sit this way for 5 days then I turned it over and trimmed the excess that had been squeezed out and added silicone to the inside panels I agin let it sit this time for 10 days then filled halfway for 5 days and all was good
 
NORTHERNREEF;3776023; said:
see i have heard that and i also heard that the only proper way to do it is take the whole thing apart,all panels clean/dry and re apply panels with new silicone
the leak is on the bottom seal and with the water pressure i just wanna do it right
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ABSOLUTELY NOT!

All you have to do is strip the silicone from the inside of the tank. DO NOT try to remove the silicone from between the glass. It is NOT necessary to take the tank apart.

YOU MUST be meticulous about removing every last piece of silicone from the inside of the tank. I use distilled white vinegar and water to clean the inside of the tank. I don't trust using acetone even though it's supposed to evaporate and leave no residue. The glass should look pristine when you're done regardless of what you use.

Use 100% silicone without any anti-mildew chemicals (i.e. Don't use Silicon II). Grainger has some black 100% silicone which is FDA approved. Dow 795 comes in black as well and is fish safe if you choose not to go with clear silicone.

I have resealed many tanks this way and have not had a single one leak ever again.
 
I would def use the masking tape. Aquarium silicone can be hard to work with because it is VERY VERY sticky when it has not cured yet. Before you squeeze it take your time and make sure you are putting it exactly where you want it. If you get some in the wrong spot you can wait until it cures and snip it with scissors. Althought i found this much easier said then done and it didn't look as nice.
 
Midknightskie's method would work IF the side panels sat on top of the bottom glass. But from the pics that Northernreef posted, that looks like an All-Glass brand tank. Most tanks I've personally seen, the bottom glass is inset between the side panels.

I found using masking tape was a waste of time for me. If you don't hurry when you are smoothing the bead with a gloved finger and clean your finger of excess silicone frequently, it looks just fine. Any excess silicone in the wrong spot can be removed with a new razorblade.
 
it is a all glass tank for sure, i still didn't take it apart or do anything to it, waiting to see what my best option will be,i think i am going to just do the inside and wait a week and see what happens, a lot of people say just do the inside and do it right you are golden, so i'm game, will prob do it tonight since all i gotta do is re apply the new silicone,
but it is a aga tank so no tearing panels apart?
 
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