Barely DIY, but INDY/resealing help still Required

[MaddMaxx]

Once one panel is off, you do not want to reapply new silicone to old silicone. The two will not adhere to each other.

Good to know. I already decided to go with the total tear down, but I woulda been pissed if I hadn't and it failed!

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know you had decided to do a complete teardown. Will the original bottom trim still fit properly since the bottom will not be recessed any longer or are you going to make a new DIY one?

The frame that is/was on there as only for show/top-holder, it was 8 separate pieces and provided nothing structurally... So I'll be DIY'ing a top brace and leaving the bottom alone.

btw Pharaoh - I'm heading in the 1x2 direction, I went to Loews to scope out some materials and I just couldn't justify the $$ for plywood over some simple sticks.

Acetone just breaks it down so that the remainder left by the razor blade can be removed. I'd say it falls under the better safe than sorry category. I would always use it considering acetone isn't that expensive.

I'm glad my $3.00 bottle of acetone won't be wasted!

I spent some time today tearing down the rest of the tank and scraping a few pieces... I'm hoping to acetone wash and silicone tomorrow! pics to follow then...

Happy Halloween MFK'ers!

 

[mike dunagan]

GL will be waiting!

 

[MaddMaxx]

I didn't get everything done that I wanted, but I did get all the glass cleaned, and most if it taped in preparation for the big seal... I was getting frustrated trying to scrape the glass because it was so dirty in general. Being a retardedly warm November 1st, I took it outside and washed it down with scrubbing-bubbles and the hose. Come to find out that scrubbing bubbles seems to loosen the left-over silicone film.

The products.

I prepped a work area, my garage floor is the closest thing to a large level work surface I have.

Yes, those are garbage bags on the floor... gotta make a clean surface somehow.

Acetone wipe and taped for sealing...

I dunno if I'll have time to put in this week or not, might have to wait til the weekend.

 

[Pharaoh]

Looks good so far. I see you keep the candy close at hand for those stressful situations. LOL

 

[MaddMaxx]

Looks good so far. I see you keep the candy close at hand for those stressful situations. LOL

Gimme a break, its halloween... And break me off a piece of that KitKat Bar while you're at it...

 

[MaddMaxx]

Been super busy, but I have the rest of the week off starting tomorrow so I hoping to have it all siliconed back together...

Any thoughts on how long I should let it cure?

 

[deeda]

The silicone cure time usually depends on the bead thickness, ambient temperature & possibly the humidity level. It should be written on the tube of caulk.

 

[jinkzd]

I think your design, if fit up well , is pretty nice really. I think it would look a lot better than the fake wood plastic junk on a lot tanks. Good luck.

 

[MaddMaxx]

So I took a crack at siliconing the tank together. I got a much later start than I wanted and I was working alone... so its not the prettiest thing ever. I managed to get a lot of silicone on the outside of the joints, plus some smudges. I'm gonna wait about 7 days to try and fill 'er up. Can I cut/scrape the silicone off the outside of the joints? Or will that significantly weaken the joint/seal?

The silicone cure time usually depends on the bead thickness, ambient temperature & possibly the humidity level. It should be written on the tube of caulk.

Yeah, tube says 24hrs, but I'm giving it a week-ish.

I think your design, if fit up well , is pretty nice really. I think it would look a lot better than the fake wood plastic junk on a lot tanks. Good luck.

Thanks!

 

[12 Volt Man]

older tanks used to be made that way with 4 peices of trim siliconed on to the top with out a center brace. however, given that almost all tanks these days have them, its easier to get a glass lid if your tank has one.

not sure about the need for a bottom brace. I know the large Aqeon (aka Allglass) tanks have top and bottom frames (with braces) identical, but the smaller tanks do not (eg. 40 breeder size has none, 38g has a top brace but no bottom brace etc)