removing silicone
- Thread starter saratoga80
- Start date
Did you ever get an answer to this or find a solution? I need to remove silicone from the bottom of my tank for the same reason. I want to do it while the fish are still in it if possible. I was thinking maybe a long handle floor scraper might work, something like this: http://www.uline.com/BL_7024/Floor-Scrapers
This is what I used when I did my resealed my 180.
If I understand correctly, you want to just remove the visible portion of the silicone sealant? If so, I don't thing that's a good idea because while the tank will still hold water, over time the seal between the glass pane may weaken and ultimately start leaking.
How about removing the original silicone and resealing with black silicone instead?
If I understand correctly, you want to just remove the visible portion of the silicone sealant? If so, I don't thing that's a good idea because while the tank will still hold water, over time the seal between the glass pane may weaken and ultimately start leaking.
How about removing the original silicone and resealing with black silicone instead?
Sorry I wasn't specific. I'm not removing the sealant from the tank. I'm removing 2 thick lines of silicone going the length of my tank in the middle. When I had my 200 gal built the guy who was making it refused to add an airline bulkhead so I ran the air hose the length of my tank then up the backside of my overflow box so it would remain hidden. I learned that 3/8" airline hose doesn't want to sink even under gravel so I decided to silicone it down. Unfortunately, that didn't last long because my big fish thought the tubing was a worm and within 2 weeks yanked the entire airline hose up. 2 thick lines of silicone now remain in the bottom of my tank preventing me from taking the gravel out and laying tile.
Unfortunately that mini glass scraper didn't work for me. It is a huge amount of silicone, 10 ounces. I can't even get the small blade under it correctly. I was hoping maybe one of the heavy duty floor scrapers would work.
Also I really don't want to remove the new fish that are in there right now.
Oh ok. Well, you may have another issue. Glass is actually porous so even if you get the majority of the silicone off, the silicone area will probably still be noticeable since they're within the micro pores of the glass itself........kinda like a staining.
Interesting. I didn't know that. I'm ok with staining and even getting scratched since I will cover the area with tile. I'm just worried I won't be able to get it off.
I never thought I would go tile in that tank because I love the white rock but I just can't keep it clean, even with 2 powerheads shooting debris across the gravel to the overflow box it still turns brown and has to be stirred up/siphoned 1-2x's every day. I even wrapped the powerheads in fine filter pads and change them out daily. The tank itself is crystal clear.
It's not overstocked the fish are just dirty. 200g with 8 discus, 4 small angels, 2 cories, a pair of zebra plecs, a bristlenose and 25 neon tetras. I feed 2xs a day and change out 50% of water daily.
Get rid of the poop factories (plecos) and you should resolve your messy substrate problem 
How about sharing a pic of that tank?
How about sharing a pic of that tank?
Haha! I never knew plecs were that bad. There's a 1" long finned blue eye albino bristlenose and two 2.5 inch zebras. I will post a pic tomorrow after the rest of my plastic rock and 3 electric blue rams arrive.Get rid of the poop factories (plecos) and you should resolve your messy substrate problem
How about sharing a pic of that tank?