Hello everyone! First post on this great site forum. I am in the process of resealing a 45g hex tank I picked off for 25 bucks. I just got in some dow corning 732 sealent, but I was wondering if I really need the 1200 primer or if I can get away with just cleaning the joints with solvent and caulk away. I am also planning to add some additional bracing on the top rim(just around the edes) as well as the bottom floor of the tank, and I am just wondering if I am being paranoid. Its just that when I picked the tank up I noticed considerable flexing that made me a bit uneasy.
Resealing with Dow 732???
- Thread starter KnightWolf87
- Start date
KnightWolf87;2191521; said:
Welcome to MFK!
I see you've been reading the threads. Good start. Read as many as possible - there's a lot on the site.
I'll be the first to say I've never done a re-seal with the 732. BUT, my 2 cents would be to fill your tank and check it first. If you dont feel comfortable with it then strip and reseal. The 732 is pretty tenacious stuff so with a small tank I wouldnt use primer unless I had some already lying around - or some one can give you a bit. The primer is a bit difficult to get, comes in odd quantities and is expensive. Take your time, plan your moves and it should come out fine.
Welcome to MFK good luck on the re-seal I don't think its necassary to use the primer. before putting it its home test it preferably outside or somewhere where you can have a leak. us a solvent and a razor blade to clean the old silicone off and have fun with it. when resealing cleanliness is next to godliness and is critical. mask beside your joints and you will get a clean finish. let the silicone cure for a few days (I wait a week) before test filling. clean it again before cycling and adding your fish.
Enjoy MFK
Enjoy MFK
as already posted, you can skip the primer for the reseal.
as for the bracing at the top, your best location to minimize flexure is at mid-span from the front to the back.
as for the bracing at the top, your best location to minimize flexure is at mid-span from the front to the back.
Thanks for the input guys. I've already resealed it with 732 I got from mcmaster carr since its practically in my back yard. I ended up not using primer and it seems to be super strong stuff non the less. I let it cure for about 4 days already and I am testing it today and so far so good!!!! I did brace up the bottom with acrylic and dow sealent and its alot more rigid then before I resealed. As for mid-span reinforment how would one accomplish this? I don't know if I would need it now but in case I ever decide to build a tank might be something worth knowing. I have some weld-on 16 and scrap acrylic laying around, and if this tank works out well who knows 
. I will reinforce the top, but its also going to serve the purpose of helping support lights and lid. Anyone know where to track down a decent lid for a hexagon tank?
. I will reinforce the top, but its also going to serve the purpose of helping support lights and lid. Anyone know where to track down a decent lid for a hexagon tank?
KnightWolf87;2210794; said:Thanks for the input guys. I've already resealed it with 732 I got from mcmaster carr since its practically in my back yard. I ended up not using primer and it seems to be super strong stuff non the less. I let it cure for about 4 days already and I am testing it today and so far so good!!!! I did brace up the bottom with acrylic and dow sealent and its alot more rigid then before I resealed. As for mid-span reinforment how would one accomplish this? I don't know if I would need it now but in case I ever decide to build a tank might be something worth knowing. I have some weld-on 16 and scrap acrylic laying around, and if this tank works out well who knows
Cool.
If you can, post some pictures (that's a big thing here - we love pics) to give us better idea of what you're doing.
If you cant fabricate a lid with acrylic, maybe look on Craigslist or an LFS as a start.
The tank is still to rough to take pictures of lol. I've tried cleaning it with muratic acid to no avail, but when its full of water you can't even tell so I think I am just gonna let it go. I think I might just fabricate a canopy out of acrylic for it since prices are way to high for me for a new one canopy. The one I saw as around $179 new (yikes!).