40breeder re-silicone

K

kcrush4989

New member
I just bought a 40 breeder to use as a sump but when i picked it up it was in rough shape. It did hold water but wasnt sure for how long. I scraped all the seams and got everthing off the glass but did NOT seperate the walls. Can i resilicone without taking all the way apart? What is the best silicone to use? Im i looking for trouble not taking it all the way apart?

Thanks
Keith
 
I've never actually done this myself, but I've seen and read about lots of people re-sealing without separating the panes of glass. Just get as much of the old silicone out as you can. Since its going to be a sump and it doesn't need to be pretty, I would use a thick bead of silicone. Then use the back of a plastic spoon or your wet finger to push the silicone into the seams.
HTH, good luck!
 
Thanks, I just wanted to make sure. I am going to use RTV108 to reseal so it should have a nice tight bond. It has been cleaned very well and will be wiped with rubbing alc. before resealed.

Thanks
Keith
 
Just clean the seams and use ge1 window and door 100% silicon i use it all the time when i re seal tanks or put baffles in sumps you can get it at wal-mart for under 5.00....
 
I have read that but wasnt to sure about the strength of it. I really dont want 35 gal of water on the floor. I did just mesure the tank and found out it is a 50gal. 36x18x17 major score...

MR HONDA said:
Just clean the seams and use ge1 window and door 100% silicon i use it all the time when i re seal tanks or put baffles in sumps you can get it at wal-mart for under 5.00....
Click to expand...
 
I have reseal a few tank if it was not leaking . you due not need to cut it a part. If it was a leaker i would cut it a part and reseal it
 
Yes it does have a frame on the top and bottom. And there were no leaks when i leaked tested. It just looked like something that would look like it leaked. The glass is also 1/2in to 5/8 thick. The tank is an oldie but got it for 40 bucks. I just couldnt pass it up. It will beat the 29 tall that i'm using now.

MR HONDA said:
Does the tank have a frame around the top and bottom?
Click to expand...
 
After you cut the inner bead of silicone off with a razor blade, take a small scrap of VERY high grit sandpaper and rub it over the lines where the old bead was. Any remaining silicone you missed will show up as a filmy haze you can go over again with the razor blade.
I know it sounds like overkill to some, but I'd bite the bullet and spend a few extra bucks on RTV108. There are significant differences in the tensile strength of different silicone formulas, and RTV 108 is about the strongest you can get at retail. It's a used tank, and you just don't know anything about it's history. To me DIY is about doing it right, yourself. That usually lets you use better material and still save a bundle.
 
MR HONDA said:
From what i have read the tank companies use the same silicone to build there tanks...
Click to expand...

No sir they do not. GE Silicone I is not used for tank assembly. It is labeled not for aquarium use, because it lacks the strength to hold a tank together. The most common GE/Momentive silicone used for aquariums is RTV108. IS808 is the second most used.

The cost difference here is not significant enough to warrant using a silicone that is not suited for the job.

Jim
 
GDAVIDSON7285 said:
Make sure you let it set for at lease 3 to 4 days before you put water in to test after you reseal it
Click to expand...


The silicone needs to cure 7 days minimum for RTV108 silicone. (And most others) --- this is in the product data sheets, not on the label necessarily. This varies with temperature and humidity. Higher temps and humidity can reduce the full cure time.

Regards,

Jim
 
Thanks everyone. I'm going to make sure i clean the tank really good tonight with acatone and seal with black rtv108. I will then build my bubble traps and fuge section with clear GE 1. Thanks for all the help.

Keith
 
If you are not separating the glass, this silicone will not be used to hold it together, stength wont matter here. Any 100% silicone will do, but if the cost is the same def, get the RTV108
 
greinger has the RTV108 and you can get GE 1 anywhere. I want to do this once so thats why i am going with the RTV. The GE 1 might work but there is nothing wrong with a little overkill. Whats 5 buck more.

Keith

broberts said:
I was also wondering what knid of silicone to use. Is there a name brand of this, can it be bought anywhere?
Click to expand...
 
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