How to seal a tank?

[naten]

Also, by the way those aren't professional tools. Pro's use their fingers.

 

[JK47]

Also, by the way those aren't professional tools. Pro's use their fingers.

So your telling me the guys who assemble tanks all day use their fingers? I don't believe that for a second... I should apply for a job at aqueon, I could save them major $$$$ Why deal with nasty crap on your hands if you don't have to..?

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

When I first read the title I thought it said: "How to steal a tank" lol

 

[Newfe]

This is what I have done so far. The wide scraper works very well at removing the old silicone. I have scraped the entire tank with a razor blade at least 5 times and washed with rubbing alcohol twice. Tomorrow I will scrape it twice more and wash with RA twice. Then I will tape it and caulk it. I sure hope this works.

 

[Newfe]

I tried to get TVR 108 silicone, only 1 place I could find it $ 7.19 + tax for a tube same size as a tube of toothpaste. The pet stores want $20 for a tube of GE 1200 aquarium. Home Hardware has 3 tubes for $ 10.

 

[JK47]

This is what I have done so far. The wide scraper works very well at removing the old silicone. I have scraped the entire tank with a razor blade at least 5 times and washed with rubbing alcohol twice. Tomorrow I will scrape it twice more and wash with RA twice. Then I will tape it and caulk it. I sure hope this works.

Those wide scrapers are way better than razor blades because they flex well and "pick up" the old silicone by from under it. Razors always seems to cut silicone and leave chuncks still attached. It'll work and your going to be allot happier that you dit it yourself.

 

[Clay]

I tried to get TVR 108 silicone, only 1 place I could find it $ 7.19 + tax for a tube same size as a tube of toothpaste. The pet stores want $20 for a tube of GE 1200 aquarium. Home Hardware has 3 tubes for $ 10.

Yeah, I order over the internet since it's almost impossible to find at a local store but kudos for finding something aquarium safe Looks like you're doing a great job as well.

One thing is to make sure to get that very thinnnnnnnn layer of silicone off the glass. Silicone doesn't stick to silicone very well, so it's a must to get it all off. The scraping removes it best, but you should be able to "feel" it on there. The denatured alcohol removes any residual oils or leftover contaminants to prep it for the silicone.

I used to tape, but on the last few times, I've just used ProCaulk (as seen on TV) since it was cheap at a local Home Depot. It does seams perfectly. Much better than those animals who do them on the assembly line!

One more tip: make sure to get the silicone in place, smooth it and don't mess with it again. the surface will cure somewhat quickly and cause very ugly seams if you mess with it too much.

Good luck!

 

[scalesandfins]

i was very scared my first time sealing my 40 gal breeder but it worked out great. my seams looked like crap but it worked.
good luck

 

[Newfe]

Question? I am planning on caulking the bottom of the tank first, all the way around then top to bottom. Is this ok? Or is there a better way to do it? Thanks for the help!!

 

[Clay]

Question? I am planning on caulking the bottom of the tank first, all the way around then top to bottom. Is this ok? Or is there a better way to do it? Thanks for the help!!

The bottom is the best place to start.

Doing the verticals second is fine. If you're really good, you can do it all as one, but it takes some practice, and you have to have a good idea of the cure time (that initial "skin") on the silicone, then balance around that. I suggest that on your first tank, you do it in phases. Bottom first, then the verticals.