Help! how to put new cap on tank?

[rica5tully]

Hi everyone,

I could really use some advice:

I have a 72-gallon bowfront All-Glass tank. It is NOT set up currently but I'm trying to get it ready.

I noticed that the top/middle/center brace that keeps the front and back from bowing out is broken. It's plastic and is part of the large plastic cap that covers the entire top of the tank. So now when I fill the tank with water the back wall bows out about 1/4 inch.

I have a new cap that I got from All-Glass. But how do I put it on? How do I take the old cap off since it's on there with silicone?

Thanks a lot. I'm excited to get this tank up and running, but I just don't know how to take care of this problem.

ET

 

[smketyr]

Using an exacto knife or the likes start removing the silcone adhesive around the the upper bracing. Keep doing this till the bracing comes loose, might have to tug a little on this. Once it is free scrape the remaining silcone of the glass. You may have to use goof off to get the remaining silicaon(before anyone screams) use as a last resort, put a little on the paper towel and rub in the areas that remain and scrape, you will have to wash the tank really well. Apply silcone to the new bracing and put on. I would use help to put it on, so it goes in one swoop.

I had to do this when my 55 broke, kid put his hot wheel stunt car into the glass, then stepped on the bracing while I was repairing the tank.

Time consuming, but take your time and do it right the first time. Don't force anythine.

GOOD LUCK

Tom

 

[smketyr]

Using an exacto knife or the likes start removing the silcone adhesive around the the upper bracing. Keep doing this till the bracing comes loose, might have to tug a little on this. Once it is free scrape the remaining silcone of the glass. You may have to use goof off to get the remaining silicaon(before anyone screams) use as a last resort, put a little on the paper towel and rub in the areas that remain and scrape, you will have to wash the tank really well. Apply silcone to the new bracing and put on. I would use help to put it on, so it goes in one swoop.

I had to do this when my 55 broke, kid put his hot wheel stunt car into the glass, then stepped on the bracing while I was repairing the tank.

Time consuming, but take your time and do it right the first time. Don't force anything.

GOOD LUCK

Tom

 

[smketyr]

Sorry about the double post. Caught a spelling error and tried to stop it.

 

[rica5tully]

Thanks, it's working so far. I managed to get the cap off (carefully) with a hacksaw and screwdriver. I made cuts at intervals and then could pry the smaller pieces loose.

Question: What's "goop off"? Is that a product like at Home Depot or Walmart? Is it going to leave dangerous residues in the tank?

 

[smketyr]

Goof off, it is like a mix of turpenting, acetone and other methyl ethyl bad stuff. It works great and removing residue and paint. I used it on my tank, but I cleaned the tank, cleaned the tank, cleaned the tank. Did I mention I cleaned the tank. I wanted to be sure that the new silcone adhered and I did not any Goof off remaining in the tank. Clean the tank when done.

 

[smketyr]

Oh yeah, you can get it Walmart. Apply it to a paper towel and rub it in the areas you need to. Oh yeah make sure you clean the tank.

 

[rica5tully]

OK, thanks.

How do you clean the tank after you use goop off? I was thinking of having the tank almost upside down (like in the grass?) so that the goop off didn't run down into the tank. But how would I wash it? Just with a lot of water?

It's hard to know how much of the silicone to take off. Some of it, especially at the corners, is so thick it looks like it needs to stay on there. I don't want to end up with a leaky tank because I was too zealous!

Do I just take off most of it?

ET

 

[smketyr]

I used vinegar, the goof off does not run if apply it to a paper towel and rub in only the areas that you need to. I used a minimal amount and washed it with a rag. Nothing went lower than the rim. I did a pane of glass with it. That area I masked off with painters tape. Scrape as much silcone off with a single edge razor, the corners I completely removed and added the silicone when I put it all togehter. I also ran a lite bead of the silcone around all areas and then smoothed it.

Tom

 

[rica5tully]

Mission Accomplished! It's on and looks good. Thanks for your help, everyone.

One thing: now the tank smells like silicone. The smell is kinda strong. Is this normal? Is it going to affect the water/fish?

 

[smketyr]

It will go away as it dries. Don't add water till then. Glad you got it done!