Im building this tank (ply tank) that seems to never seal. I NEED MAJOR HELP!!!!!!! I am using aquarium silicone bought from Jacks Pet Store. Every time i fill it up it leaks in a different spot around the window. I don't know what to do. I have resealed the window several times and it never seems to work. What am i doing wrong? Please someone help who knows what there doing or has done this before.
Need major help Tank Sealing
- Thread starter GrossGraphix
- Start date
ive only resealed one tank, so i may not be much help. but..
Are you adding sealant over top of old sealant?
are you letting it fully cure before retrying it?
can we get a picture of what your seals look like?
thats all i know to ask.. hope all goes well!
Are you adding sealant over top of old sealant?
are you letting it fully cure before retrying it?
can we get a picture of what your seals look like?
thats all i know to ask.. hope all goes well!
make sure to lay down thick beads then run a penny, finger, or sealing tool whatever your using. don't be stingy on the silicon esp. when it runs like 4 bucks a tube and i used like one tube for my whole 90 gallon. also don't forget to clean all the surfaces that will be bonded with alcohol and let dry. if you know all this already sorry! don't mean to repeat it. remember the surface has to be completely dry/dust free! if this doesn't work. all i can thick of is somehow the glass pressure compared to the plywood pressure may be uneven, (either from maybe warping in the wood when filled causing the seal to not sit correctly or be tugged on. But this is all just in my head so don't take my word for it!
Look for structure problems when filling. Is your fromt bracing bowing? The frameless corner is a strength loss in a plywood tank. If something is moving it could be pulling at your silicone.
that what i was guessing that the silicone must be pulling away. Visually i dont see anything bowing. I have resealed over silicone and cut it out both, neither seemed to work for me. All surfaces were clean and dirt free when put in. I will get a picture of the inside edge tonight and post it up.
Talked to a guy in Akron who build tanks and he said to put the window in a channel. He says he thinks the problem is that the glass is bowing a just enough to let the water seep past the seal.