Resealing 150 gallon Tank- Need Help ASAP

[anhtu402]

Gosh, I seem to have a lot of questions tonight.

I bought the GE 100% Silicone I Clear. It only says Waterproof Silicone, for Window, Door, Attic, Basement. Each silicone is only 9.8 Fl OZ or 290 mL.

1. It does not say anything about Aquarium or Fish Safe, does that matter?
2. I only bought two tubes of silicone, will that be enough?? After adding all the lengths, widths and height== that's approximately 438 inches of glass to be siliconed, that's about 1.32 mL of silicone per inch.

 

[anhtu402]

based on the glass thickness (with no brace I assume) the tank was probably made in the early to mid 90's at the latest.

around that time they started using the cross braces and thinner glass.

When you say "with no brace", do you mean the cross bracing??? It has a surround bracing for the top and bottom, but it's not all one piece, it's four pieces that's glued together for the bottom, and for the top. Not one piece like they have today .

 

[Knowdafish]

Great advices guys, I appreciate it a lot!!!


Also another question, how big should I make the beads?? Whoever did the last silicone spread it out to 3/4in thick.

The glass panels are 3/4 in thick, 150 gallons (72L x 28H X 19D).

I wonder if I should take pictures or not, think it's necessary??? Since one can look around the internet for it.. :-/ hehehe, just to help others if someone else comes along in the future that might need some help.

My rule of thumb is to make the silicone bead as wide as the glass is thick.

 

[anhtu402]

Alright, As I was about to put on the silicone, I read this line that stopped me in my tracks in the instructions: 5. Allow at least 12 hours before exposing caulk to Water. Not for use below the water line or aquarium.

Ahhh... Okay, I bought this Clear Silicone at Home Depot. It's says it's a Waterproof Silicone for Window/Door/Attic/Basement that is 100% Silicone. Permanently WEATHERPROOF. Also in very small print, it says Stock No. GEO12A , 90696. Is this the one?

Sigh, Thanks everyone!

 

[kallmond]

There's a couple threads about resealing tanks, and one about using clear vs. black silicone that are worth reading. I think black looks way nicer than clear. Those threads mention specific silicone 'makes' to use.

 

[anhtu402]

There's a couple threads about resealing tanks, and one about using clear vs. black silicone that are worth reading. I think black looks way nicer than clear. Those threads mention specific silicone 'makes' to use.

Right, I have been reading a lot of threads about silicone, but does not address the statement that says not for aquarium or below water level use. Even though everyone says to use "GE I Window/Door 100% Silicone, without the fungicide/mildew". This is what I have, and it's stock no. is GE012A. Is this the winner?

In this link, http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118131 , it says it's in a blue tube, the one I have is a white tube.

I don't really like the look of the Black, and also remember that my local hardware store does not carry Black as well, so I will just use clear.

Thanks!

 

[flstffxe]

[..... This is what I have, and it's stock no. is GE012A. Is this the winner?.....![/QUOTE]

The sticky at the top has a bunch of info.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118131

• GE-012A (GE 1 blue tube. Used to say "safe for aquarium use" years ago).

From another forum:

from GE about GE I:

DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS OF THE BUSINESSES MAKING UP THE GE PLASTICS UNIT OF GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES (GEP), ARE SOLD SUBJECT TO GEPS STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICABLE DISTRIBUTOR OR OTHER SALES AGREEMENT, PRINTED ON THE BACK OF ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND INVOICES, AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. ALTHOUGH ANY INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS, OR ADVICE CONTAINED HEREIN IS GIVEN IN GOOD FAITH, GEP MAKES NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, (I) THAT THE RESULTS DESCRIBED HEREIN WILL BE OBTAINED UNDER END-USE CONDITIONS, OR (II) AS TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OR SAFETY OF ANY DESIGN INCORPORATING GEP MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, RECOMMENDATIONS OR ADVICE. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN GEPS STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE, GEP AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES SHALL IN NO EVENT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS RESULTING FROM ANY USE OF ITS MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN. Each user bears full responsibility for making its own determination as to the suitability of GEPs materials, products, recommendations, or advice for its own particular use. Each user must identify and perform all tests and analyses necessary to assure that its finished parts incorporating GEP materials or products will be safe and suitable for use under end-use conditions. Nothing in this or any other document, nor any oral recommendation or advice, shall be deemed to alter, vary, supersede

We don't recommend any of our products for underwater submersion, but some aquarium manufacturers do choose to use our products on glass to glass aquariums. The products they use most often are RTV108 or IS808. These are industrial grade products. Our consumer grade (this means they would be found at Home Depot or a local hardware store) offset to these industrial grade products is GE012A (Window and Door Silicone I).

Hope that makes you feel better.

 

[anhtu402]

Awesome, guess I read it too quick. Thank you everyone for helping me out. Out to get 4 tubes of this

 

[RyanP]

any updates on the project? Im about to do the exact same thing on the same size aquarium.

 

[anhtu402]

Yes there are some updates. I just resealed it all around, making sure not to get the silicone that's in between the glasses. Also, If I were to do it again, I would change two things:

1. Use my finger (instead of a credit card) or a spoon to spread and push the silicone down.
2. Wear a real respirator mask then to smell vinegar straight through my nose using those cheap masks.

I left the tank to cure for 5 days (just to be on the safe side), so far, no leaks or blow outs. Everything is great!