Fixing old 5ft x 2ft x 2.5ft

[Epineiro2022]

Hey guys,

Need some silicone help.

I found some leaks on this tank, it has been a big effort to this point and I feel throwing it out upsets me. I’m a little attached, it’s got nice thick glass.

Can I get silicone help please, I added the attached silicone waited half a day but I’m finding the leaks are still there in the same spot!

Advanced appreciation it’s getting stressful.

Attached photos includes the silicone I’m using.

Basically need to know if fixing silicon leaks is even possible or is it best to strip out all the silicones and start from 0 keeping the 10mm thick glass?

Regards,
Edson

 

[kharmaguru]

Hey guys,

Need some silicone help.

I found some leaks on this tank, it has been a big effort to this point and I feel throwing it out upsets me. I’m a little attached, it’s got nice thick glass.

Can I get silicone help please, I added the attached silicone waited half a day but I’m finding the leaks are still there in the same spot!

Advanced appreciation it’s getting stressful.

Attached photos includes the silicone I’m using.

Basically need to know if fixing silicon leaks is even possible or is it best to strip out all the silicones and start from 0 keeping the 10mm thick glass?

Regards,
Edson

Silicone can't be applied to silicone. It has to be razorbladed off to the glass and cleaned with acetone until there is none left before you will get a good bond and seal. The entire inner seam should be done all at once and not just patched - especially on a large tank. You don't need to cut the tank apart unless it's really old and it's decided it's unsafe. It's requires patience and taking your time to properly prep for new silicone.

 

[JohnL]

Welcome to Reef Central. Good luck with this project.

 

[Epineiro2022]

Silicone can't be applied to silicone. It has to be razorbladed off to the glass and cleaned with acetone until there is none left before you will get a good bond and seal. The entire inner seam should be done all at once and not just patched - especially on a large tank. You don't need to cut the tank apart unless it's really old and it's decided it's unsafe. It's requires patience and taking your time to properly prep for new silicone.

Is the seel simply to waterproof the tank?

For example the only silicone holding the tank together is the inside seems between the glass joins, correct me if I’m wrong?

Also the tank seel includes a glass strip, should it be re-striped with a glass rod and glass-strip?

I’m just planning that’s all.

I think the tank is old but safe and strong in the joins and silicone seems. There’s no signs of bubbles or damage in the joins and it’s holding together even after being under a lot of pressure and movement. I just want to waterproof it.

I really appreciate your help by the way, thanks Kharma.

 

[kharmaguru]

Also the tank seel includes a glass strip, should it be re-striped with a glass rod and glass-strip?

This is all the way around the bottom? Maybe some are done this way, but it sounds like a repair. Did you have this tank from brand new?

The silicone between the panes holds the tank together. Technically this seals the tank as well, however due to silicone imperfections during assembly, some scientific voodoo (capillary action? osmotic pressure?), and algae or other organism moving into the crack (rude), water can squeeze through in spots over time. This is prevented by the inner seal.

Generally speaking, re-sealing the tank is satisfactory assuming the remaining silicone is not old and dry. You must be able to sleep at night either way. YouTube has lots of videos on resealing. This one seems reasonably informative:

 

[Epineiro2022]

Hello Kharmaguru,

Thank you for the message.

If I may pick your thoughts regarding the glass strip and glass rod are these safe to remove or are they holding the tank together like infrastructure adjustments to the tank. I also assume this adjustment was added to fix a prior leak as that seems to be a practice around these ways for example see attached photo and video. But I really don’t know.

Just to let you know I don’t know the complete history of this tank. But the glass is 10mm thick with no scratches so I like it. Doesn’t seem too old.

Also do you know the name of the tool used to spread the silicone across the edges. In your video it’s the blue professional tool instead of using the finger?

Again I really appreciate your help and I have lots of time on my hands and help to continue this project and plan to run through the process here as much as possible with a healthy balanced fish colony in the end, so thank you!

 

[kharmaguru]

Lots of those tools on Amazon. What part of the world are you in?

https://www.amazon.com/Outus-Caulki...OTQifQ==&sprefix=silicine+sprea,aps,85&sr=8-4

If the added glass was for a leak, then it can be removed and when your inner seal is redone it won't be needed anymore. If you think you can do a clean reseal and leave the glass strip in place without removing it, then that's an option as well. The whole glass rod thing is a weird one to me. That video makes you think the fix is for a tank with a structural problem not just leaking silicone.

That's a pretty big tank for 10mm glass. It must be tempered.

 

[Epineiro2022]

Lots of those tools on Amazon. What part of the world are you in?

https://www.amazon.com/Outus-Caulking-Silicone-Finishing-Bathroom/dp/B0722TTX9H/ref=sr_1_4?crid=36NXLWXEE9KLT&keywords=silicone+spreader+tool&qid=1664282396&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjgxIiwicXNhIjoiNC4yMSIsInFzcCI6IjMuOTQifQ==&sprefix=silicine+sprea,aps,85&sr=8-4

If the added glass was for a leak, then it can be removed and when your inner seal is redone it won't be needed anymore. If you think you can do a clean reseal and leave the glass strip in place without removing it, then that's an option as well. The whole glass rod thing is a weird one to me. That video makes you think the fix is for a tank with a structural problem not just leaking silicone.

That's a pretty big tank for 10mm glass. It must be tempered.

Hi Kharmaguru,

Thank you for the information, I’m in Australia.

What’s the best method of detecting if the glass is tempered.

 

[Epineiro2022]

Hello Kharmaguru,

I’ve started investigating the silicone so I removed some of it. I found it strange as to why the silicone wasn’t spread throughout the bottom of the glass strip. See attached photo.

Do you think it’s safe to remove the glass strip and what’s the method of doing so? For example use sharp razor between the bottom glass panel and the strip to seperate the panel?

Also notice sand under the glass strip.

Apologies again for all the questions.

Regards,
Edson

 

[kharmaguru]

tempered glass test!

Can you supply a full top-down shot of the tank showing the entirety of the glass strips?

 

[Epineiro2022]

I’ve got it on its side so that I can clean the silicone out from the bottom.

 

[kharmaguru]

If you have been referring to glass strips at the top of the tank, that is called Euro bracing. The front and back are joined together to prevent the tank from bowing and with 10mm glass for a tank that size, it is likely necessary to be safe and to not look distorted like a fish eye when viewing from the front. It appears yours also allowed for glass tops to be inserted. You can take the bracing out but I highly recommend you put something back. It can be done quite cleanly like so: