DIY Glass tank help (260g project)

[Ramesh]

I have a 180g 6x2x2 (L x W x H) that has a cracked base and I want to repair it and up grade the demensions to 6x3x2.
I will keep the front and back pannels and the braces but change the end pieces and the base of course.
I would like any hints or links to help and advise with glueing.
Most of the web pages with plans are only for small tanks and I would like some advice from MFK.

I have been told that all I need to do is to tape the pannels together base, front/back and side pannels. Then just run a thick consistent bead of silicon around the inside, smooth the bead to get a nice finish and leave to cure.

Do I have the method right??
Do I need to use spacers so the silicon gets between/under the edges of where the glass pannels join as well as the side??

After this of course you add the braces to the tank.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

You do not want the glass on glass contact that your method would cause. You need a little cushion of silicone between the panels. It would take 2 people to do this properly or one really skilled person. What you need to do is lay the bottom on your work surface and apply silicone to the bottom peice and then set the front on the silicone bead. Then take a side and apply silicone to the front peice and the bottom peice where the side will touch and set the side in and down. Once you have this here. tape the front to the side piece around the corner very well on the outiside. And then tape them to the bottom. It is helpful if you leave the bottom hanging off the work table a few inches so that the tape can be wrapped around. Then apply the other side peice in the same manner. then apply silicone on the bottom and two sides and slide the back in place. Let that dry over night (24hrs) then go back and run your bead in side the tank and smooth it and let it set for a few days to season out completly and its ready to go.-------------have fun and post pics.

 

[Ramesh]

Thanks for the tips mate the sliding technique is handy as I wasn't sure how to get the last pannel in place.
Won't the weight of the glass push the silicon out from between the joins?
Have you used spacers before??
I will definately post pics though.

 

[ghengis]

It would take 2 people to do this properly

Wise counsell, that. Redid my tank after trying the "one person with some tape" method... Enlisted the help of my GF for the second attempt. The spare pair of hands was invaluable. We also used the methods listed above, laying silicone onto the piece to be fitted up, before setting it in place. The only difference was that we ran the second, corner, bead straight after the first, rather than wait the 24hrs. I just feel wet silicone sticks better to wet silicone, than dry.....

This is what we ended up with. Certainly not a ]v[onster, but a reasonable result none the less...

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

Nice ^^^ i do agree with doing the main seal silicone right after you assemble the tank. i have knocked a tank apart trying to lean in and do the main seal while the first was not dry. So that is why i say wait 24hrs. But if you can do it safely with out disturbing the panes of glass than it would be ok.