When is it time to reseal?

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musichead707

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 29, 2005
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CHICAGOLAND
I had my 75 Gallon running for about 3 years when I upgraded to my 240 it was sitting in my garage for about a year than I gave the tank to my cousin who had it for 2 more years. So its about six years old and my cousin just gave it back to me and now im going to be breeding some Red Tiger Motoguense, So should I reseal or not? It does not leak, but the silicone does tear apart pretty easy. So is it worth all the trouble or should it be fine. Im just trying to figure out around how long aquariums last before you need to think about resealing them.
 
I've never thought about the longevity of tanks. I've got one thats about 12 yrs old...
 
I have several 100 gallon "long" 's - acrylic - you can't even see the sealant so I don't know how they are holding water, quite frankly, but they do, and they are 10 years with me, and probably another 10 years old before that. Still going!
 
santoury;1029612; said:
I have several 100 gallon "long" 's - acrylic - you can't even see the sealant so I don't know how they are holding water, quite frankly, but they do, and they are 10 years with me, and probably another 10 years old before that. Still going!
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Well acrylic aquariums don't use silicone, they are molecularly bonded or something like that, so you don't have to worry about your seems ever leaking, But with glass the panes are held together by silicone, and once it gets old it can harden and shrink and wear away allowing water to leak out, I'm just wondering if there is an age where an aquarium should need resealing. And if so, if I'm passed it or not.
 
Thanks for the info - didn't know this.

NEVER had a glass tank leak - why? If it looks funny, I toss it. Simply not worth a leak. Simply not worth the worry.
 
Not literally - but give it away, sell it (as is), or use for other animals
 
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. But, if you are worried, it's easy and cheap to reseal them. You don't have to take it apart, just strip the silicone and reseal it. Use tape to keep the seams clean and it would take an hour or two total.
 
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