resealling a 220gal

[Valous]

Well I picked up a 220 gal AGA tank, well I think an AGA, from a guy who said it leaks. So i stripped down, all the way. As I was taking the trim off I noticed water trapped in side the bottom black trim. Ok so the leak was in the front and not the back. well as i got the to the back, I noticed a potential big problem. there are 2 major spots were the glass has broken but not all the way through. chips of glass were coming up attacked to the silicone. Here are a few pictures of what I am talking about.

here is the tank top and front panel held on with painters tape. Bottom was still attached but not taking any chances.

So I am wondering if I am able to go ahead and reseal it even with those chips of glass missing. The fist picture shows the glass that came up with the silicone.

 

[Pharaoh]

The pictures are a little fuzzy, so it is hard to say for sure. Are they on the vertical pane or the bottom pane?

 

[Valous]

its on the back vertical pane. They chips go about 1/3 of the way through the glass.

 

[Conner]

Is it at the bottom of the vertical pane, where it would meet with the bottom glass? If so, can you just flip the pane over so the chip is at the top? If its at the top, hidden by the trim, I wouldn't think it would be anything to worry about.

 

[Valous]

well its the bottom. and the inside has 1/2" thick glass bracing but the chip goes up about 1/2" to an 1" above the bottom bracking. I am just wondering for when it comes time to reseal that it will be ok and hold water.

 

[Conner]

If the tank is taken apart, can't you just flip that pane over so the chipped glass is at the top, instead of the bottom?

 

[Pharaoh]

Is it at the bottom of the vertical pane, where it would meet with the bottom glass? If so, can you just flip the pane over so the chip is at the top? If its at the top, hidden by the trim, I wouldn't think it would be anything to worry about.

If the tank is taken apart, can't you just flip that pane over so the chipped glass is at the top, instead of the bottom?

This is what I would do. Flip the pane and use the trim to hide the chips at the top.

 

[Valous]

yea. its almost all apart. there is an additional 1/2" piece of glass on the top of pane. i was making sure it will be ok to use to fill the tank. thanks for all the reply and putting my head ache to ease.

 

[Valous]

Well finally got friends over to help put the tank back together after fighting to clean every bit of silicone off the glass. My last question is how long does everyone like to wait for the for the silicone to cure? I know the tube says 24 hrs but i know my house is not 75 degrees or have zero humidity. And it is raining off and on today. Here are some pics of sat night.

sorry the pics are small my girlfriend didn't feel like getting her camera so just used her phone.

 

[leather]

Wait as long as you can, I usually wait at least 3 days before moving it. It will probably be cured in 24 hours but still be weak. Moving it will strain and pull at it. When silicone is in partial cure it tears, so where the air can't get and it takes longer to cure will tear and weaken. Patience is the hardest part of these types of projects.