How to seal a tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I cleaned up some of the verticules as best I could and it don't look as bad as it did. I think I wait and water test it Friay or Saturday. If it sealed, I'll use it if not then I'll try it 1 more time.

How long should I leaver water in it to see if it leaks?
 
I haven't had a look at this thread for a while. Here are a few pointers from my side.
-do the bottom section first then seal the verticals from the bottom up. Do not smooth any seams out until you have everything sealed. It will made for a nicer finish.
-If you want to smooth the seams out on the cheap wear a surgical glove and just dip it into some soapy water. It doesn't matter if you have used too much silicone. Just wipe it off and any other surplus will end up on the tape.
-Remove the tape as soon as you are finished smoothing the seams. This is the tricky bit so be careful not to rip the whole thing off in one go by accident. Take your time
 
I don't want to hijack but.....

This thread is a fabulous educational read. I have sealed few tanks and I just learned a lot about better ways to do it in the future.

My Question: I am considering buying a large tank that has been disassembled into a pile of glass panes. How in the world would I make structural seams? I have to confess, I am tempted to build a frame around it just to make myself feel better.
 
I haven't done structural seams, but I would use a sealant/adhesive. In that case, I would look to industrial alternatives that are FDA approved. The structural seams *shouldn't* be that hard, but ultimately, depends on proper setup and proper jigs/frames.

*in before "OMG GE1 THA BEST U NOOB!!!!!!oneelevenone!!!GE1CURES CANCER U DONT KNWO ANYTHING /Conspiracy OMG"
For clarification on the above statement, read any of the recent threads about alternatives to GE1 and you'll see that I've apparently stirred up a hornet's nest.
 
Here is a look at one of the seams. It appears to have air bubbles behind the silicone. Do you think this will leak? If I cut out a section and reseal it will the new silicone I use today bond with the silicone I used 2 days ago? Or should I redo the entire tank again?

I'm Poisioned with this now.

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Air bubbles behind the silicone are bad. I suggest either cutting that part out and resealing. I wouldn't worry too much about it bonding to the silicone since it is relatively new, and shouldn't be contaminated. I would really doubt it's fully cured on the back side of that seal anyway. Clean with denatured alcohol or something similar (no residue) before you put the new silicone in there.
 
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