re silicone a 10gal :D worth it?

[miketaco]

yes as the tittle stated i had a leaking tank and replaced it for fish sake's with the same brand 13$ walmart empty tank... and well i recently gotten a free 55gallon tank and stand but i was thinking should i redo the silicone on it for peace of mind and i have not done this before so i decide to test it out on my recent leaky 10gallon... i paid 5$ for the small ass tube of aquarium safe glue also this pump was so called broken with that tank but it just needed a downward tube i glued onto it and seems to work fine its an aquon10 and they had this filtering a 55gal? i have no idea but so far the tank is holding water ill chime back once it blows out... was it worth it on such a small tank no but i did it for more experience and ive done a lot of work with caulking and glue from past jobs what do yall think would u take the time to repair a tank of any size or do u just prep for a new one?
i think the hardest part is slowly cleaning all the glass perfectly and all the bits of glue just gets all over but maby this was just me peace! if it was just another 10gallon i would def pay the 13$ for a cheap tank replacement

 

[Frank Castle]

yes as the tittle stated i had a leaking tank and replaced it for fish sake's with the same brand 13$ walmart empty tank... and well i recently gotten a free 55gallon tank and stand but i was thinking should i redo the silicone on it for peace of mind and i have not done this before so i decide to test it out on my recent leaky 10gallon... i paid 5$ for the small ass tube of aquarium safe glue also this pump was so called broken with that tank but it just needed a downward tube i glued onto it and seems to work fine its an aquon10 and they had this filtering a 55gal? i have no idea but so far the tank is holding water ill chime back once it blows out... was it worth it on such a small tank no but i did it for more experience and ive done a lot of work with caulking and glue from past jobs what do yall think would u take the time to repair a tank of any size or do u just prep for a new one?
i think the hardest part is slowly cleaning all the glass perfectly and all the bits of glue just gets all over but maby this was just me peace! if it was just another 10gallon i would def pay the 13$ for a cheap tank replacement
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some people dont like throwing supplies away so its worth it to you if its worth it to you.

Silicone is great for fixing things. I'm so good with silicone I should be a PLASTIC SURGEON!!!!

 

[GamerChick5567]

If you can find it, black aquarium silicone can look very good too depending on the setup. As long as the main panels aren't cracked I'd go for it.

And reusing, upcycling, and fixing broken stuff is the way to go for me as well! It really does save money. Sometimes it doesn't save sanity though so take that into consideration haha. I have projects I haven't started or finished yet. Or parts and tools are discombobulated since I'm a bit lazy... the bf sure gets annoyed lol.

Thankfully my main fish tank stuff stays in one area and my old stuff that is currently dormant for my next 5 gallon nano tank goes in its own box.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

save your cash on "aquarium" silicone and use RTV 108. its construction grade, will hold ANY glass tank together if used right and is what a lot of the pro's use building aquariums. My 2 cents is if the silicone in the 55 isn't cracked, or dried out DON'T strip it out. You'll cause yourself more headaches than peace of mind by redoing a tank that doesn't need it.

 

[Frank Castle]

save your cash on "aquarium" silicone and use RTV 108. its construction grade, will hold ANY glass tank together if used right and is what a lot of the pro's use building aquariums. My 2 cents is if the silicone in the 55 isn't cracked, or dried out DON'T strip it out. You'll cause yourself more headaches than peace of mind by redoing a tank that doesn't need it.

This RTV 108 is aquarium-safe?

 

[predatorkeeper87]

This RTV 108 is aquarium-safe?

ya. just as inert as any silicone is when dry. It'll hold a mac truck to the ceiling too.

 

[Frank Castle]

ya. just as inert as any silicone is when dry. It'll hold a mac truck to the ceiling too.

ok, I have a 70g X-tall and I resealed it w/ Loctite this summer and I guess since the cross brace was broken when I bought it 2nd-hand and the Loctite says in fine print "not for use on aquariums bigger than 30 gallons" (which I saw AFTER several hours of stripping and re-doing silicone)....anyway long story short, the seal blew out at the top, about 4" down.....just started spouting water everywhere

You think this stuff is strong enough to hold together a tank that's missing the cross brace, is made of 1/2" glass and measures 48.5"L X 13.5"W X 25.5"H???

It's HEAVY.....my friend highly underestimated the weight when he helped me move it.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

ok, I have a 70g X-tall and I resealed it w/ Loctite this summer and I guess since the cross brace was broken when I bought it 2nd-hand and the Loctite says in fine print "not for use on aquariums bigger than 30 gallons" (which I saw AFTER several hours of stripping and re-doing silicone)....anyway long story short, the seal blew out at the top, about 4" down.....just started spouting water everywhere

You think this stuff is strong enough to hold together a tank that's missing the cross brace, is made of 1/2" glass and measures 48.5"L X 13.5"W X 25.5"H???

Ya I do. I'd still get some type of bracing up top, but I'd be willing to bet RTV will hold that tank together regardless. You can order it online or places like Grainger and other more contractor oriented construction stores will carry it. You probably have a Grainger out your way.

 

[duanes]

Though where I used to live, a used 10 gal tank could be had for between $2-$5, if not free, I think the experience of doing it is worth the effort, especially if you ever end up with something larger and leaks, which would be more economical.
Sometimes with a missing middle brace it is neseccary to break down the entire tank, and resilicone it all again, because the middle could be stressed and ready to leak, from pressure. Maybe even add a make shift brace if the tank is long, or tall.
I agree with using the RTV, I only use the GE 1 if stress pressure is not an issue.

 

[duanes]

Though where I used to live, a used 10 gal tank could be had for between $2-$5, if not free, I think the experience of doing it is worth the effort, especially if you ever end up with something larger and leaks, which would be more economical.
Sometimes with a missing middle brace it is neseccary to break down the entire tank, and resilicone it all again, because the middle could be stressed and ready to leak, from pressure. Maybe even add a make shift brace if the tank is long, or tall.
I agree with using the RTV, I only use the GE 1 if stress pressure is not an issue.