Re-siliconing 125g glass tank...

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Conner

Conner

Piranha
MFK Member
Dec 27, 2008
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Kentucky
So I got all of the old silicone stripped out of the inside of my new 125g tank that had a leak. I'm going to be re-siliconing it starting in about 5 minutes. I'm going to go pretty heavy with the new silicone, just to make sure there aren't going to be any leaks. I've got a couple of questions.

1. How long do I need to let it cure before test filling it? 48 hours, just to be safe? Longer or shorter?

2. I was wondering how long you guys would recommend leaving it filled outside (leak free) before I can trust bringing it back into the house and filling it up? Would 1 week be considered an acceptable time, or do you think I should leave it even longer?

3. Right now the temp is dipping below freezing outside on a daily basis, and I'm not sure when it will get back to warmer temps for good. Obviously it would be better if I could do it inside a warm building, but that really isn't an option at the moment. Would it be ok outside if I used a heater and/or some powerheads to keep the water from freezing? Or should I wait until I can do it indoors or the weather warms up?
 
I would let the silicone cure for at least 48 hours, but depending on how heavy you go on the silicone maybe longer. When its fully cured you won't smell the "ammonia" smell any more, so when you can stick you head in the tank and it doesn't reek your good.

I normally let the tank cure for a week just to be sure.
 
well, I siliconed the interior of the tank. Kind of did a messy job, and used about 3 times as much as the manufacturer did, but hey, their job leaked, right?

I'll give this at least 48 hours before I try filling it. It may end up being longer than that, depending on the weather and if I have to leave it outside to fill it, or can find someones garage to put it in to try. Any suggestions on that part of it?

oh, and I used GE I silicone for Windows and Doors, just for reference.
 
I would say if you put it on heavy, and the temps are pretty cold, I would hold off on filling it for 72 hours. Before filling, be sure to do a light touch test. If it is still kind of a jello feel, and you can see the silicone moving under your touch, hold off on filling it. Since you have done all the work, to clean out the old silicone, it wouldn't be fun to have to do all that work again.
 
I have allways went with if its going to leak its going to leak now theory. So i fill them up and check all around for drips and drain and move to location for set-up.
 
I usaly leave it for 24 hours to be sure. How far bellow 0 is it going? If it is only going to like 30 I would just trough a 300w heater in there for the night.
 
Well, it's sitting in my spare bedroom right now for the siliconing. I'm considering moving it outside for the fill test (don't want 125g gushing into my living room). I've got a spare heater just lying around, so I figure I could use it and maybe a spare HOB for water movement, and wouldn't have to worry about the water freezing. It's actually 35F out right now, so I wouldn't even have to worry about freezing today. But the high for tomorrow is only 28F.
 
if its at room temp id let it cure for 72 hours.. then fill it in the garage.. if it makes it overnight call it good

im no pro so if it holds and then blows out once you put it inside dont yell at me ok
 
Mine sat empty for over a week after I sealed it, because I didn't have a stand.

I tested it for a day and it didn't leak, and it has been fine since.
I didn't even both putting it outside, I had the tank on a towel and filled it up a little bit at a time. I checked to see if the towel was wet to see if it had leaked.
 
well, the reason I'm a little gun-shy with this is because it was my brothers tank. He had it set up and running for about 6 months, and then he wakes up one day with soaked living room carpet and an empty reef tank...

I was hoping to leave it full for a week just to give myself a little more confidence. However, I don't currently have access to a garage or other indoor area to test fill it. If anyone thinks I can trust it after just 24-48 hours full, then I can just put it outside in my yard and fill it, with a heater and hob to make sure the water doesn't freeze.

Any idea how the cold weather might affect the silicone?
 
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