A friend gave me a 29 gallon tank and said it had a small leak. After getting it home and looking at it better i noticed that one of the corners have come apart all the way down the side but is holding on for about 2" from the bottom. the old sealent in between the glass has come off and there is nothing in between them, i have new sealent but i'm wondering if it is going to be a problem the get it to hold again? the rest of the tank is fine but for that one corner, anybody got any suggestions on how to fix it for good so it doesn't leak from there???
need a little help
- Thread starter txfishkeeper
- Start date
But I am resealing the entire tank!!! but am wondering how to do that one corner the right way so it doesnt leak anytime soon on me.
You'll need to stip all the silicon off the entire tank, and re-assemble the entire thing with fresh silicon.
You'll need GE-I Silicon NOT GE-II which has mold killers in it, acetone, razor blades, and some masking/painters tape if you want the inside seams to be straight and decent looking.
Search the forums or google for detailed instructions on how to go about doing it.
You'll need GE-I Silicon NOT GE-II which has mold killers in it, acetone, razor blades, and some masking/painters tape if you want the inside seams to be straight and decent looking.
Search the forums or google for detailed instructions on how to go about doing it.
If the tank is structurally sound other than this one seam, you don't need to cut the glass apart and rebuild the whole thing on a 29g.
Cut all the silicone from the inside of the tank using a razor knife, then clean it (outside in the fresh air) with accetone or M.E.K. (DO NOPT breath these fumes they're NOT the fun kind) and alot of paper towels.
Use painters masking tape (blue or green) and tape off 1/2" from corner the full length of the seams. Apply the silicone with a caulking gun in a small to medium bead, then push in and smooth with a rubber gloved finger (nothing better than you finger) DO NOT keep going over the same area as it will mess it up (silicone skins quickly). After 5-10 minutes pull the tape off at a 45 degree angle so the silicone doesn't come with it. Let it cure for 3-4 days and test outside for the same amount of time.
Did I mention this all takes practice so don't get discouraged.
Take pix to show us your handy work...
Good luck.
Dr Joe
.
Cut all the silicone from the inside of the tank using a razor knife, then clean it (outside in the fresh air) with accetone or M.E.K. (DO NOPT breath these fumes they're NOT the fun kind) and alot of paper towels.
Use painters masking tape (blue or green) and tape off 1/2" from corner the full length of the seams. Apply the silicone with a caulking gun in a small to medium bead, then push in and smooth with a rubber gloved finger (nothing better than you finger) DO NOT keep going over the same area as it will mess it up (silicone skins quickly). After 5-10 minutes pull the tape off at a 45 degree angle so the silicone doesn't come with it. Let it cure for 3-4 days and test outside for the same amount of time.
Did I mention this all takes practice so don't get discouraged.
Take pix to show us your handy work...
Good luck.
Dr Joe
.