New Tank! ReSealing

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Fish Eat Fish

Fish Eat Fish

Piranha
MFK Member
Sep 24, 2007
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Mankato
Im going to be resealing my new tank tomarrow. so far the original silicone has been cut out.

My questions are

1. How wide do I want to make my tape lines for the silicone edges?

2. What is a good "smoother"? Credit card?

3. How long does it take to dry before I can test fill?

4. What should I use to clean away the old silicone residue?

Thanks in advance :D
 
Fish Eat Fish;1828900; said:
Im going to be resealing my new tank tomarrow. so far the original silicone has been cut out.

My questions are

1. How wide do I want to make my tape lines for the silicone edges?

2. What is a good "smoother"? Credit card?

3. How long does it take to dry before I can test fill?

4. What should I use to clean away the old silicone residue?

Thanks in advance :D
Click to expand...

1. I would do 1/8" either side.
2. Your thumb and tongue are cheap and work best other wise a cup of water and a spoon.
3. I would give it 24 hours to be safe.
4. I would just use a razor blade.
 
yup, or you could also use a wet finger for #2
 
use acetone to clean up the residue.

i generally put my tape 1/4 inch to either side so that you have a 1/2 inch bead.

i always use my finger to smooth out the bead, keep a rag in your free hand tha is moistened with acetone.

remove the tape right away after soothing out the joints. 24 hours is probably long enough, but just to be sure read the instructions on the tube, there should be a duration given for skin over time and full cure/full strength time. wait at least as long as the full cure time
 
ok thanks guys!

one more. Whats the best silicone to use? I went to get some today but wasnt sure what had mold inhibitors and what didnt.
 
GE I windows and doors, GEII is a no no cause it has the mold stuff in it, but GE I does not.

i get it in a 4 pack all the time, resealed 4 tanks with it so far.

on my tanks i didnt care how big the silicone bead was, so i just winged it and made it approx 1" bead (1/2" each way) so all my tanks are REALLY sealed.

its amazing how many leaking tanks i got for free because the previous owner tried to just put new silicone OVER the old stuff.

matthew
 
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