Help with 300 gal reseal.

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mustang93svt

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jan 15, 2010
381
13
18
ohio
I have a 300 I'm resealing and need to know how far I need to go removing old seals. Obviously removing to bare glass is probably the best answer. However this tank has about a case of silicone and who knows what else trying to reseal it by previous owner. At this point can I acetone it and reseal and have it hold? Question two the bottom frame surrounding the tank have two cracks will it be safe?

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Have to remove ALL silicone. Only way. I'd just put more silicone near the two edges that are broke. Then I would put wood back on where the frame is broke.
 
Even between panes of glass? I have all silicone cut out except between panes. Probably as easy to disassemble the whole tank at that point, correct? Two wooden trim pieces are missing so no putting them back on..
 
Anyone? I've read, I've searched. I've heard yes I've heard no... Those were all write ups with 20 30 gallon tanks. Anyone with experience on bigger tanks?
 
mustang93svt;4257243; said:
Even between panes of glass? I have all silicone cut out except between panes. Probably as easy to disassemble the whole tank at that point, correct? Two wooden trim pieces are missing so no putting them back on..
Click to expand...

Get as much as you can. Obviously your not going to get it all out. If there's a little bit between panes and you tried your damnest then it's fine. Silicone doesn't stick that well to silicone that's why we all say to get it all off.

Don't dissasemble....a waste of time. Just rub some acetone over where you got the silicone off then start resealing. With the trim, I just meant put a new piece of wood there. Just for looks really.
 
If it were mine, I'd be sure to take a razor and scrape scrape scrape all the old silicone out, and then clean with pure Acetone...
Either build or have a a bottom frame built that will fit over the old one. It is NOT just a decorative piece. It is there to keep the pressure from blowing out the bottom. The bottom has the greatest outward pressure...
You can have it made of sheet metal, like a band that slips down over the old trim. Be sure to fill in the areas that the trim pieces are missing too...

When you reseal the tank, use masking tape to make the lines even. After putting the silicone in the corner smooth it evenly with a rubber spatula or one of those tools made for smoothing out silicone joints...
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...D24X-_-100666143&locStoreNum=1843&marketID=21
silicone tool.jpg
after the silicone sets up a bit peel off the tape and you'll have nice straight even seals...

Take your time and do it right the first time and you'll be glad you did.
Alot of guys just wing it, and they wind up wasting all the materials, and it either looks like a ghetto job or it leaks like like a sieve...:thumbsup: and good luck...~BenO
 
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