keithqueef
New member
? the corners onthe the tank r kind of skinny with silicone. but holds water it is and older tank, was wondering if i could get away with putting a new layer of silicon over this for extra precaution..
re silicone
- Thread starter keithqueef
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keithqueef
New member
or would the extra layer have no affect on the seal
brians4671
New member
my tank leaked and i put a bead over the existing bead worked good but didnt look that great.
psteeleb
Team RC
silicon doesn't stick to dry silicon real well
It isn't that hard to reseal a tank, if you're concerned just do it right and reseal
cut out the old seals using a razor blade (the fillet not the part between the glass)
clean the glass off real well using acetone
apply masking tape about 1/4 to 1/2" away from corners on both sides (distance depends on glass thickness)
apply silicone, and smear in using a wet spoon making a convex curved surface. clean spoon with paper towels and rewet between corners
let set for about an hour
remove masking tape
let dry 24 hours
looks great and good as new
do a search on-line you'll find a couple sites with pictures etc
use proper precautions; well ventilated area, gloves, etc.
It isn't that hard to reseal a tank, if you're concerned just do it right and reseal
cut out the old seals using a razor blade (the fillet not the part between the glass)
clean the glass off real well using acetone
apply masking tape about 1/4 to 1/2" away from corners on both sides (distance depends on glass thickness)
apply silicone, and smear in using a wet spoon making a convex curved surface. clean spoon with paper towels and rewet between corners
let set for about an hour
remove masking tape
let dry 24 hours
looks great and good as new
do a search on-line you'll find a couple sites with pictures etc
use proper precautions; well ventilated area, gloves, etc.
psteeleb
Team RC
yes the fillet is the round part and it can be cut off pretty easy with out hurting the main part between the glass panes
here is one link I found
http://aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=107
they used rubbing alcohol instead of acetone
here is one link I found
http://aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=107
they used rubbing alcohol instead of acetone
Hey thanks. That is exactly what you said, just a little more informative. I do have a question though. The tank that i need the repair on is actually only about a year old. The guy i got it from said it didn't leak. The problem is that he used a magfloat scraper and damage the silicone a little. I am not sure that it is even loose, but it is at least scuffed on the out edge of the silicone strip(the thin part at the end of the taper). Do you think i should reseal it? I also believe that the silicone around the bottom is perfectly fine, and the back of the tank, only the front two corners are in question. thanks
psteeleb
Team RC
the it's really just a "how does it look call" on your part
the seals are probably fine, just nicked up some
actually the seals are more a backup seal just in case there is an air bubble in the main seam. Better quality control has really done away with this need over the years and is why you are seeing the nicer tanks without the extra seals.
If it's just to dress it up you could try cleaning the silicone real good of any algae etc, masking the glass and just smear some new silicone over the old to re-establish the clean edges. It may work, but getting silicone to stick to dry silicone is a hit or miss, maybe the rubbing alcohol helps. If the edges are frayed and pulled up you may want to trim the loose parts. I've never taken this route as it isn't that big a deal to just cut the old ones off and redo them.
I just did the two front ones on my 290g as the others looked fine. Same situation you 're describing, they were chewed up from a mag float or scrapper.
I am concerned more with the factor if the tank will leak more than the looks. I am going to build it into a wall so i can use the back of the tank(of course the part he used as the back)and make it the front. So, if i check the seals and they don't seem loose, then i don't really need to worry about it?
