POLL: resealed tanks
- Thread starter jpatz18
- Start date
Well...I have a 20g tank that I had to reseal and it has yet to leak again. I just resealed my parents' 29g but it keeps sringing other leaks elsewhere. I just resealed all 4 sides now and I'm waiting for it to dry. Hopefully, it won't leak again.
GE Silicone 1 Door and Window not the bath stuff.
The mold/mildew inhibtor stuff causes all kinds of damage to the fish depending on what you've got... Gill deterioration, Lateral line deterioration, Hole in the head deseaseand some others...Apparental in some species it inhibits vitamin absorption.
I've resealed 40-50+ tanks, all sizes. And yes I've had 3 leak out of all of them, I was rushing when it happened and they leaked as soon as I put water in. As far as the others go they never leaked, a couple have 30+ yrs on them too. Take your time, clean everything well & then clean it again. You shouldn't need to cut the silicone from between the two pieces of glass just whatever is sticking out. Use a widgit (razor blade holder and never apply alot of force (emergency rooms are expensive). Let dry for several hours to make sure the old silicone hasn't gone soft from the chemicals you cleaned it with.
jimk's tape idea is good, just a little tricky...You have to remove the tape before the silicone cures, so pull it at a 45degree angle like when you remove it after painting. Do it slow 'cause the silicone could get stringy.
Hey you think silicone is fun, try the pitch (asphalt/tar I think) that they used on the old metal framed tanks. It took a bottle of propane to do a 10g tank and you had to be careful you didn't overheat the slate bottom. That an experience.
Good Luck.
Just waitin' on the pic's now...
Dr Joe
.
The mold/mildew inhibtor stuff causes all kinds of damage to the fish depending on what you've got... Gill deterioration, Lateral line deterioration, Hole in the head deseaseand some others...Apparental in some species it inhibits vitamin absorption.
I've resealed 40-50+ tanks, all sizes. And yes I've had 3 leak out of all of them, I was rushing when it happened and they leaked as soon as I put water in. As far as the others go they never leaked, a couple have 30+ yrs on them too. Take your time, clean everything well & then clean it again. You shouldn't need to cut the silicone from between the two pieces of glass just whatever is sticking out. Use a widgit (razor blade holder and never apply alot of force (emergency rooms are expensive). Let dry for several hours to make sure the old silicone hasn't gone soft from the chemicals you cleaned it with.
jimk's tape idea is good, just a little tricky...You have to remove the tape before the silicone cures, so pull it at a 45degree angle like when you remove it after painting. Do it slow 'cause the silicone could get stringy.
Hey you think silicone is fun, try the pitch (asphalt/tar I think) that they used on the old metal framed tanks. It took a bottle of propane to do a 10g tank and you had to be careful you didn't overheat the slate bottom. That an experience.
Good Luck.
Just waitin' on the pic's now...
Dr Joe
.
will no Pics today because i have found out that me and silicone do not go together i made one hell of a mess i had air bubbles you name it i had it. the silicone was sticking to my "vinyl glove" i was using rubbing alchol. my 4 ones going up came out good, but it doesnt matter because silicone doesnt bond to old stuff. I hate it I WISH SOMEONE WAS AROUND MELBOURNE! But i guess practice makes perfect. I di like the tape idea, i used it w/o tape "this time" next time i will use tape. I think i put to much silicone on the bottom so when i try to make my seal i got globs of it and it was sticking to my glove. ANY ONE HAVE A EZ TIP I COULD USE with silicone and air bubbles.
I can't offer any tips cause ive never done it.However my dad resealed his 75 gal 15 years ago and has not leaked yet.
I got this stuff that sais all glass aquarium sealant. After actually completely reading it i found out it's 100% silicone. As long as it's a silicone for glass i think it would work.
Smoothed with my thumb & a bit of water.. then scraped the extra off that oozed out from my thumb with a razor.
jpatz18;531904; said:will no Pics today because i have found out that me and silicone do not go together i made one hell of a mess i had air bubbles you name it i had it. the silicone was sticking to my "vinyl glove" i was using rubbing alchol. my 4 ones going up came out good, but it doesnt matter because silicone doesnt bond to old stuff. I hate it I WISH SOMEONE WAS AROUND MELBOURNE! But i guess practice makes perfect. I di like the tape idea, i used it w/o tape "this time" next time i will use tape. I think i put to much silicone on the bottom so when i try to make my seal i got globs of it and it was sticking to my glove. ANY ONE HAVE A EZ TIP I COULD USE with silicone and air bubbles.
Congradulations
You did everything right! That's why it's a mess.The trick is 'Practice'.
If your not allergic to the silicone, using you bare finger is the easiest. I've used gloves, rub on lotions for your hands, cut putty knives with angles and notches & other things I'd rather not remember.
It's best to keep the nozzle on the caulking tube cut as small as posible so you can force the silicone in the groove while moving the tube slower. You'll use less silicone and not have to press as much with your finger. Cut the nozzle small, try it. hten cut it a little larger & try it again. When you find the size your comfortable with measure it and right it on a wall somewhere so you won't loose it. @ 4 bucks a tube at least it's not expensive to practice a little.
As far as using it with the air bubbles...SURE...Outside... For aging water for WCs.
Wouldn't want to have it leak and loose any fish.
Practice...Practice...Practice. That's what I am doing every time I redo a tank.
If You Don't Try, You can't Do.
Dr Joe
.
