my tank "popped" after being sealed

[Miguel4u2]

I don't think this will work, though depends on how tank is built. I believe the only the two end panels rest upon the bottom glass. Whereas the front and back panels have the bottom glass situated between them.

nope, on my tank non of the panels rest on the bottom panel.

 

[Bderick67]

nope, on my tank non of the panels rest on the bottom panel.

Ya I was looking at a couple of my empty tanks. Seems all four side panels sit in the plastic frame with the bottom panel between them.

 

[Mattyou]

Scrape off all the silicone u can, even in the seams. Clean the crap out of it with acetone or equiv. Seal it all the way around sides top bottom, clean up any stray silicone from the job as well and then let the thing sit for a week or more. If its cold give it more time. If this is your last attempt with this tank flip it over and seal the exterior bottom all around the plastic frame as well just for the added strength of tieing it all together. You can do it.

Never seen a tank that didnt have the sides sitting on the bottom pane of glass and i have seen alot of tanks. Some older ones had doubled glass panel bottoms, one the sides sat on the other sat inside the bottom.

 

[Miguel4u2]

thanks for the help matt for both of my threads, i will do what you said instead of removing the bottom panel.

 

[Burtess]

This is a 30" tall tank, right? This creates alot of water pressure at the bottom of the side panels. If the bond of the silicone has been compromised between any of the side panels and the bottom glass you are in for repeated failures. Without this bond your side glass will bow and stretch the silicone that you applied for sealing, it can only stretch so much until it tears away from the glass causing a leak.

Bderick has hit the nail on the head with his post.

There are two bonds on a glass tank, the strong structural bond between the panes of glass, and the "sealing" bead around the inside.
If you are having a side or bottom split then you have to tear the pane out and replace the silicone BETWEEN the panes of glass. Then you do your beads along the inside.

One of my 75 gallon tanks doesn't even have an inside "sealing" bead, its just held together and watertight from the silicone bond between the glass panes.

thanks for the help matt for both of my threads, i will do what you said instead of removing the bottom panel.

Bad idea, it will leak again.... remove the panel and do it right...

Burt

 

[Miguel4u2]

Bderick has hit the nail on the head with his post.

There are two bonds on a glass tank, the strong structural bond between the panes of glass, and the "sealing" bead around the inside.
If you are having a side or bottom split then you have to tear the pane out and replace the silicone BETWEEN the panes of glass. Then you do your beads along the inside.

One of my 75 gallon tanks doesn't even have an inside "sealing" bead, its just held together and watertight from the silicone bond between the glass panes.



Bad idea, it will leak again.... remove the panel and do it right...

Burt

i will have to remove the trim to do this right? if so, then how i can remove the trim without damaging it and how would i place it back properly?

 

[Miguel4u2]

bump

 

[Burtess]

i will have to remove the trim to do this right? if so, then how i can remove the trim without damaging it and how would i place it back properly?

The silicone will not stick to the plastic trim that strongly so you may be able to slowly work it off with your hands. If not be careful and try to pry it off. If you break it you will have to buy another (or leave it as is since the bottom frame does nothing for structural strength anyway).
When you have replaced the bottom pane and everything has cured you just run another bead around the bottom outside and press the frame into it.

Burt

 

[turtlesrock]

i recently sealed my 100 gallon and all i did was put a big glob over the leak and then smothed it out... it work great!

 

[Miguel4u2]

i recently sealed my 100 gallon and all i did was put a big glob over the leak and then smothed it out... it work great!

yeah but you have a 100 long and mines is a 110 tall meaning that there is a lot more pressure on the bottom seams and for that reason i need to re-apply all the silicone