my tank "popped" after being sealed
- Thread starter Miguel4u2
- Start date
i have successfully resealed quite a few tanks up to 220g. And the method i use is whats called the spoon bead.
Basically you do everything just as normal (remove all silicone from inside, clean with denatured alcohol or acetone, tape off 3/4" around the entire tank at all seams, etc)
And then you use the back side of a plastic spoon to spread the silicone. It makes a larger bead size. And in theory should provide stronger seal strength. After spreading evenly with the spoon you remove the tape to make nice crisp sealant lines and it looks professional.
Basically you do everything just as normal (remove all silicone from inside, clean with denatured alcohol or acetone, tape off 3/4" around the entire tank at all seams, etc)
And then you use the back side of a plastic spoon to spread the silicone. It makes a larger bead size. And in theory should provide stronger seal strength. After spreading evenly with the spoon you remove the tape to make nice crisp sealant lines and it looks professional.
I use a old credit card that I trim my own radius on one corner. This virtually eliminates the need to tape off the edge of the beads and gives uniform beads all around. I straighten up any odd portions of the beads before it gets a chance to set up with a razor blade.
There are a number of good ways to get a nice looking bead.
My best advice is to push the bead of new silicone, do not pull it. Pushing the bead with a small amount leading the tip of the tube makes sure the new silicone makes it all the way down into the corner. Pulling the bead can allow air pockets under the silicone in the corner giving you a false idea you have a good bead.
There are a number of good ways to get a nice looking bead.
My best advice is to push the bead of new silicone, do not pull it. Pushing the bead with a small amount leading the tip of the tube makes sure the new silicone makes it all the way down into the corner. Pulling the bead can allow air pockets under the silicone in the corner giving you a false idea you have a good bead.
How long did you let the silicone cure? If it held water for six hours then a slow leak started and then it became a huge leak it sounds like the silicone didn't get enough time to harden properly. It happened to me once before so the second time around I let it cure for a week. Probably too long but I was paranoid of it happening again.
go with acrylic , silicone really isnt that strong. I would just order some acrylic sheets and make yourself a tank. ill never go with glass over 100 gallons anyone , after my 200 gallon sprang a leak. Now all my fish are at the lfs awaiting their new home.
Silicone can hold the weight. But the GE II might be your issue. It is non bioseal and all but I've used it for a few small projects and had poor results with it compared to GE 1.
I had 2 tubes that took forever to cure and had very weak hold after they did.
I had 2 tubes that took forever to cure and had very weak hold after they did.
Yeah, first, how long did you leave the silicone to cure? I left it to cure for approximately 5 days. My beads were at 3/4in wide, even after 5 days, i think some part were somewhat soft than other parts, but I thought it was safe enough to start filling with water. As for scraping the old silicone, I scraped everywhere EXCEPT the silicone in-between the glass panels. On the corners, I put down extra silicone for extra protection/hold. I also used a credit card to "PUSH" the silicone into place, making sure to put enough pressure to go into the cracks that once had old silicone. IF i were to do it again, I would go with the spoon approach, sounds easier and less of a mess.
Remember the importance of resealing, HAVE LOTS OF PATIENCE BEFORE refilling with water. I would wait a week or week and a half before putting water in.
Good luck redoing it. I know it sucks, but it will all pay off in the end!
Remember the importance of resealing, HAVE LOTS OF PATIENCE BEFORE refilling with water. I would wait a week or week and a half before putting water in.
Good luck redoing it. I know it sucks, but it will all pay off in the end!
How long did you let it cure? I just used DAP on the box it said you could fill the tank after 48 hours, but online the more complete instructions say you can fill at 48 hours but full strenght is at 7 days, as hard as it is to wait that is what i'm doing, wedneday i'll find out if it holds
