Leaking tank please help

[Backfromthedead]

So you suggest I do use what I have to rebuild? It’s also what a guy at the pet store said to go buy from Walmart

I personally would have no problem using ge1 on a tank that size. The trick is that the tank has to be assembled properly. Good advice from jjohnwm above. Things to gather and get ready before you build are masking tape, clamps, and a solid platform to build the tank on. Right angle clamps are a good idea if you find them, but not strictly necessary. Can you tell me if you are going to be stacking the sides on top of the bottom panel, or rather surrounding the bottom panel with the sides. There are a few differences in build procedure with either method...

Here's a few pics of one of my recent builds in progress:




This tank was built with the sides surrounding the bottom. I use the long clamps and right angle clamps to compress the long panels and secure the seams, and the multiple wooden wedges around the bottom to brace and secure the bottom panel seams. It's important not to "overclamp" the tank when building, as you can squeeze all the silicone out of the seams, but you need firm pressure applied wherever theres a seam for the silicone to properly adhere to the glass and cure.

Good luck with the build. Keep us posted.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

The Silicone I is the product I have been using for many years for both sealing and assembling tanks. When I was a youngster I worked for a local fellow who built aquariums commercially, and that is we ever used, although I seem to recall that the product had a slightly different name at that time. I recall him contacting GE at one point to confirm that the formulation had not changed when the name did. The largest tanks that I personally did were 108-gallons...72x18x18 inches...and Silicone I was more than adequate for both adhesion and sealing.

BUT...the glass typically used was much thicker than that commonly seen today. Thicker glass = a wider seam, much greater contact where one piece butts up against another. None of those tanks had any kind of bracing, and didn't need any. Now that glass is always just thick enough, perhaps the stronger adhesion offered by the newer products is necessary; it's certainly desirable.

Never touched the newer stuff, but if it cures faster then it will indeed be a tougher job for a beginner to do. Make sure you have plenty of braces, weights, jigs, etc. to help hold the pieces in place as you work.

Something we may have forgotten to mention: once you start, the clock is ticking and you can't stop for a break...or to post on MFK...you must get the job done in one smooth, quick step.

I personally would have no problem using ge1 on a tank that size. The trick is that the tank has to be assembled properly. Good advice from jjohnwm above. Things to gather and get ready before you build are masking tape, clamps, and a solid platform to build the tank on. Right angle clamps are a good idea if you find them, but not strictly necessary. Can you tell me if you are going to be stacking the sides on top of the bottom panel, or rather surrounding the bottom panel with the sides. There are a few differences in build procedure with either method...

Here's a few pics of one of my recent builds in progress:
View attachment 1464476
View attachment 1464475
View attachment 1464474

This tank was built with the sides surrounding the bottom. I use the long clamps and right angle clamps to compress the long panels and secure the seams, and the multiple wooden wedges around the bottom to brace and secure the bottom panel seams. It's important not to "overclamp" the tank when building, as you can squeeze all the silicone out of the seams, but you need firm pressure applied wherever theres a seam for the silicone to properly adhere to the glass and cure.

Good luck with the build. Keep us posted.

I’m currently going outside to lay out all the panels to wipe down with isopropyl alcohol to remove any oils from fingers prints and stuff. I got the silicone and caulk gun. Never used either of these things. Wish me luck and thank you all so much for every reply and all of the helpful information and advice I really appreciate it.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Finished building the tank up a while ago but been doing tiger tank maintenance. The tank seems to be holding up really good so far but still haven’t put water in it. That’ll be done in 2 days. Got the tank siliconed and taped together but the silicone job is extremely messy but as long as it holds up for a 3 day water test after it’s all cured then I’ll be moving it inside to cycle and put fish in.

 

[..puSkar..]

Finished building the tank up a while ago but been doing tiger tank maintenance. The tank seems to be holding up really good so far but still haven’t put water in it. That’ll be done in 2 days. Got the tank siliconed and taped together but the silicone job is extremely messy but as long as it holds up for a 3 day water test after it’s all cured then I’ll be moving it inside to cycle and put fish in.

I would recommend atleast wait for 3-5 days before you put water into the tank.
BTW let's see a pic.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

I would recommend atleast wait for 3-5 days before you put water into the tank.
BTW let's see a pic.
[/QUOTE

 

[Backfromthedead]

Finished building the tank up a while ago but been doing tiger tank maintenance. The tank seems to be holding up really good so far but still haven’t put water in it. That’ll be done in 2 days. Got the tank siliconed and taped together but the silicone job is extremely messy but as long as it holds up for a 3 day water test after it’s all cured then I’ll be moving it inside to cycle and put fish in.

Good deal. Make sure to keep the tank out of direct sunlight while its curing since its outside. Try to keep it covered so that dust or dirt doesnt get in the silicone. Definitely do your fill test somewhere that water damage would not be an issue.

Silicone is sticky stuff. I've gotten to the point that I don't use gloves when building but if you want a professional looking result then masking tape is a necessity on all edges where silicone could squeeze out. Then after its cured a couple days you can carefully peel it off.

Looking forward to the results. Commendable that you're starting to build at a young age. Experience now will be indispensable if you ever want to build bigger and better down the road.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Good deal. Make sure to keep the tank out of direct sunlight while its curing since its outside. Try to keep it covered so that dust or dirt doesnt get in the silicone. Definitely do your fill test somewhere that water damage would not be an issue.

Silicone is sticky stuff. I've gotten to the point that I don't use gloves when building but if you want a professional looking result then masking tape is a necessity on all edges where silicone could squeeze out. Then after its cured a couple days you can carefully peel it off.

Looking forward to the results. Commendable that you're starting to build at a young age. Experience now will be indispensable if you ever want to build bigger and better down the road.

Yea the silicone is just kind of everywhere but it’s literally my first time ever holding a caulk gun so I’m pretty proud of it for it being my first ever. The best way to learn is by experience though but I’m really confident in it holding together. I feel like there might be 1 leak just because how hard it was to get a side panel into place but after taping and holding for a minute it finally stuck where I wanted. I really have high hopes for this. And yea in a few days I’m going to move it into the grass and fill with the garden hose and if that holds for a couple of days without any leaks then I’ll be moving it into my room but If it falls apart my mom said she would buy me a new 55g or 75g depending on my behavior. Either way it’s a win but would absolutely love to see this tank work out. Even though the silicone job is ugly, if it holds up with water for a few days then I’ll clean the silicone a bit and do another test just for a day but I’m hoping the best

 

[Backfromthedead]

Yea the silicone is just kind of everywhere but it’s literally my first time ever holding a caulk gun so I’m pretty proud of it for it being my first ever. The best way to learn is by experience though but I’m really confident in it holding together. I feel like there might be 1 leak just because how hard it was to get a side panel into place but after taping and holding for a minute it finally stuck where I wanted. I really have high hopes for this. And yea in a few days I’m going to move it into the grass and fill with the garden hose and if that holds for a couple of days without any leaks then I’ll be moving it into my room but If it falls apart my mom said she would buy me a new 55g or 75g depending on my behavior. Either way it’s a win but would absolutely love to see this tank work out. Even though the silicone job is ugly, if it holds up with water for a few days then I’ll clean the silicone a bit and do another test just for a day but I’m hoping the best

Test it on something solid and level. Not to discourage, but I would not move this first tank inside a house or anywhere where water will damage the floor. You're just not there yet. I built, tested, and set up my first few tanks in my garage before I ever moved some into the ground level of my house, and only now after building for almost 4 years am confident enough to put one of mine on the upper level. I actually have two recent builds that I'm going to completely disassemble and rebuild because the seams weren't up to par.

Just sayin, take it slow and don't be surprised or discouraged if this tank doesnt go the distance. It's a good start though.

 

[celebrist]

Rooting for your first build to hold up no problem

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Test it on something solid and level. Not to discourage, but I would not move this first tank inside a house or anywhere where water will damage the floor. You're just not there yet. I built, tested, and set up my first few tanks in my garage before I ever moved some into the ground level of my house, and only now after building for almost 4 years am confident enough to put one of mine on the upper level. I actually have two recent builds that I'm going to completely disassemble and rebuild because the seams weren't up to par.

Just sayin, take it slow and don't be surprised or discouraged if this tank doesnt go the distance. It's a good start though.

Not sure what I could do with an outdoor tank though. It gets cold at night and other months and the tank would dry freeze over.