Questions about resealing a tank for the experienced

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M

macclellan

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 22, 2010
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Hi all, I'm picking up a used 210g glass tank (72"x24"x30") tomorrow. He resealed it when he got it, and said I should do the same because the glass panes may move while transporting it. I'm not going to reseal so much for that reason as for the fact that he did a pretty sloppy job of sealing it (didn't use masking tape for clean edges and used way too much silicone by the looks of it) and, while I've never done this before, I figure I can do better myself.

Anyways, should I scrape off just the silicone fillets, and some articles I've read suggest, or also redo the seams? Just doing the fillets seems straightforward. If I really should redo the seams too, please explain how and/or point me to a how-to article. I'm uncertain about spacing the panes and what-not if I take out the seams too, and really don't want to break these huge, expensive, and potentially dangerous panes of glass.

Thanks in advance!
 
If you look around there should be several threads on the subject. You can test fill the tank, other wise you will need to spend a bit with a scraper and/or razor. Once you've removed most of the silicone, you'll want to use acetone and a razord to get the film off. Once its all off I suggest using RTV silicone, great stuff although a lot of people use GE 1. you can use pro silicone tools or one of those platic spatula things to get the nice look, as well as going over and smoothing with your finger. when i sealed my tank i didn't use tape (too lazy) but yes, that will get you nice clean look. I dont really think that the silicone will be a problem during moving unless he did a real crappy job, which it sort of sounds like.
 
Thanks for the reply. I understand what to do in general. You didn't directly answer the question, but seem to be suggesting that I don't need to redo the seams. Others?
 
Get a fresh razor blade, I suggest buying a few. Take out ALL of the silicone. As in all the way around the tank. I have no clue what a fillet is on a tank concerning silicone. Just get ALL of the silicone off. If it has a frame the glass won't just fall off. If it doesn't have a frame then your on your own. I don't deal with tanks without frames.
 
The seams only need to be cut if you can see gaps that span more than 50% of the glass thickness. Do not mask the edges, and then silicone, as this will actually make it messier. Instead run your bead, smooth it, let it dry, then cut a straight line, and remove the excess.
 
dmopar74;4318639;4318639 said:
without using tape i make a terrible mess, with it i get perfect lines.
Click to expand...
Next time try running a bead, let it fully cure, then take a straight edge and cut along it. Then remove the excess, far better results. I'll show you when you come to the meeting below.
 
So you just run a tight bead (without pressing it in with a finger, dowel rod, ice cube, etc. etc., and then trim the excess? Is there a visible 'bump' from where you do the trim? Got pics?

Coming more from a planted FW background than a 'monster tank' background, I'm used to seeing ADA tanks with very thin fillets, so this intrigues me.
 
Here's the Leviathan. You can see in the second pic how poorly the silicone job was.

IMG_3223.jpg


IMG_3222.jpg

No animals were harmed in the making of these photographs.
 
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