Hello all-
I am new here and I have spent the last few hours searching and reading through threads on resealing tanks. Here's my situation...
I was lucky enough to obtain a 210 AGA tank and cherry stand for a really good price(did I mention really good??? lol). It has been through 2 previous owners before I got it even though it's only a couple of years old. The first owner said that it sprung a leak on the back rear corner which caused the top frame to split one of the braces. The second owner repaired the leak and put on a new brace. After having it setup approx 3 months the bottom seam on the front panel gave completely away causing 210 gals of water to empty onto their floor within a matter of a minute or so. This is why they sold the tank. They are not willing to take the risk and try to seal the tank again...as they had to replace the flooring, walls, etc
Now I have been reading and I think that my best bet would be to completely take the tank apart and reassemble it. As I'm thinking that either at one point the tank was unlevel causing stress on the seams or that it was a bad silicone from the manufacturer to cause it to leak in several places as the tank is not that old.
I have razor blades, acetone, and new tank top and bottom frames.
I have a couple of questions if you dont mind giving your opinion.
1) I have read that people have used GE RTV108 or GE 1200 for their silicone. Which one is better for a tank my size? And would 10 tubes be enough to completely reassemble the tank?
2) The bottom of the tank is set "up and inside of the outside panels" a 1/4" or so. Which is the best way of resetting this back the same way or is it even necessary? The tank does have a plastic bottom frame that goes on over the outside panels as well as the bottom.
3) There are little plastic disks between the glass that I found when I took the tank apart. Are these spacers to ensure that the glass panels don't touch? Are they necessary to put back in when gluing the panels together?
4) It it better to glue the panels together and let dry and then go back and run a seal along the inside of the tank or glue the panels together and as soon as I have it assembled to go and do the inside seal? Also what do I do about the silicone that "squishes" out when the panels are assembled...leave it or clean it up?
I know this is alot of questions...but 210 gals is alot of water on my floor.
I have put together sumps with baffels before so I'm familiar with gluing those panels in..but they just have to stay in place...not hold water.
Thanks for all of your help and input! It's much appreciated!
I am new here and I have spent the last few hours searching and reading through threads on resealing tanks. Here's my situation...
I was lucky enough to obtain a 210 AGA tank and cherry stand for a really good price(did I mention really good??? lol). It has been through 2 previous owners before I got it even though it's only a couple of years old. The first owner said that it sprung a leak on the back rear corner which caused the top frame to split one of the braces. The second owner repaired the leak and put on a new brace. After having it setup approx 3 months the bottom seam on the front panel gave completely away causing 210 gals of water to empty onto their floor within a matter of a minute or so. This is why they sold the tank. They are not willing to take the risk and try to seal the tank again...as they had to replace the flooring, walls, etc
Now I have been reading and I think that my best bet would be to completely take the tank apart and reassemble it. As I'm thinking that either at one point the tank was unlevel causing stress on the seams or that it was a bad silicone from the manufacturer to cause it to leak in several places as the tank is not that old.
I have razor blades, acetone, and new tank top and bottom frames.
I have a couple of questions if you dont mind giving your opinion.
1) I have read that people have used GE RTV108 or GE 1200 for their silicone. Which one is better for a tank my size? And would 10 tubes be enough to completely reassemble the tank?
2) The bottom of the tank is set "up and inside of the outside panels" a 1/4" or so. Which is the best way of resetting this back the same way or is it even necessary? The tank does have a plastic bottom frame that goes on over the outside panels as well as the bottom.
3) There are little plastic disks between the glass that I found when I took the tank apart. Are these spacers to ensure that the glass panels don't touch? Are they necessary to put back in when gluing the panels together?
4) It it better to glue the panels together and let dry and then go back and run a seal along the inside of the tank or glue the panels together and as soon as I have it assembled to go and do the inside seal? Also what do I do about the silicone that "squishes" out when the panels are assembled...leave it or clean it up?
I know this is alot of questions...but 210 gals is alot of water on my floor.
I have put together sumps with baffels before so I'm familiar with gluing those panels in..but they just have to stay in place...not hold water.Thanks for all of your help and input! It's much appreciated!
