resealing aquariums
- Thread starter a2fire2i
- Start date
No trick. If you are just putting new silicone on and not cutting the aquarium up, it is easy. Take everything out of tank, clean well, bleach and acid and bleach inside of tank as you would a normal used tank. Rinse well. Then with a razor blade holder-the kind you scrape windows with, slice through the silicone. Slide the blade down and cut off all silicone, but leave what is in the space between the 2 panes. After that, scrape with a new blade so you have a fairly clean, glass surface. Now wipe with alcohol so there is no oils, and let dry. Get a caulking gun and a large tube of clear window and doors 3M 100% silicone caulk. Do not use bathroom and tub caulk, as it contains some kind of mildew preventative. Tape with blue masking tape so you have a 3/4" wide caulking area, side to side. Use a razor to make it just right. If you are good at caulking it isnt necessary, but it does make it cleaner. Caulk the bottom and then the sides, while it is all still wet. You want it all caulked, no voids, and all down into the corners. Use a wet finger first to spread it all in place. You dont want it too thick at the tape line. Then use a wet ice cube to finish. With the tape and ice you will get a perfect job. Before it gets too dry, pull up the tape. Let it dry for a day or preferably 2 or 3. Then fill with water and let it sit. A wash just wont get it all. This will get all the acetic acid that is put off by the drying silicone. You could do it with less of the above, but that is just if you want a great job.
Agu
Premium Member
What Steve said with a couple of changes/additions,
Tape the four corners and do them first. Pull the tape off when the caulk is still wet. You don't want the caulk to stick to the tape. Wait a couple of days and then do the bottom. ( say this because if I'm working with too much caulk it tends to get too messy).
Also with the 100% pure silicone I'd recommend disposable latex gloves, that stuff is sticky. Use one glove per corner seam, that way you'll get cleaner seams.
Gonna have to try the ice cube trick
Tape the four corners and do them first. Pull the tape off when the caulk is still wet. You don't want the caulk to stick to the tape. Wait a couple of days and then do the bottom. ( say this because if I'm working with too much caulk it tends to get too messy).
Also with the 100% pure silicone I'd recommend disposable latex gloves, that stuff is sticky. Use one glove per corner seam, that way you'll get cleaner seams.
Gonna have to try the ice cube trick
