Sealing an Aquarium
- Thread starter mgutrman
- Start date
Shark Keeper
Member
when you re-sealed your tank how did you go about removing the old sealicone? that may be your issue.
I re-sealed my 100 gallon sump with no leaks and that was over a year ago. It was a back breaking experience so i can help with advice.
I re-sealed my 100 gallon sump with no leaks and that was over a year ago. It was a back breaking experience so i can help with advice.
CleveYank
20 Years and Over
I've only repaired by removing, cleaning and rebonding and sealing 1 side of a 29 and resealed a 20 long. Both were successful.
What I noted was that complete removal of all of the existing silicone which was a bear was required. Since silicone won't bond to old silicone that is usually the major reason repair/reseal jobs fail.
What I noted was that complete removal of all of the existing silicone which was a bear was required. Since silicone won't bond to old silicone that is usually the major reason repair/reseal jobs fail.
Shark Keeper
Member
I agree CleveYank.
On my 100 gallon I removed every bit of the silicone using razor blades. It killed my back but that is what I was told to do my a glass company that I talked to about doing it for me. They were talking about 50 bucks hour and saying that it would take a week!
On my 100 gallon I removed every bit of the silicone using razor blades. It killed my back but that is what I was told to do my a glass company that I talked to about doing it for me. They were talking about 50 bucks hour and saying that it would take a week!
I agree when I did my 50 gallon sump I cut out all the old silicone and cleaned it with xylene to remove the residue. Then taped off the glass at how wide I wanted the beads and then laid a extra heavy bead down and before it tacked up I removed the tape and it has been holding up for almost 2 years now.
also if you are doing it I would recommend doing the whole tank so you dont have issues in the corners, and run all the beads together so you arent trying to bond it to dry silicone.
also if you are doing it I would recommend doing the whole tank so you dont have issues in the corners, and run all the beads together so you arent trying to bond it to dry silicone.
I scraped all the silicone with a razor then cleaned all corners with rubbing alcohol then caulked all corners of the tank. I made a 3/8 inch bead using a plastic putty knife. It is 5' long 120 gallon tank should I have used a larger bead? It is my cichlid tank so alot of rock in the tank also. It was only leaking on one end. Is the xylene better than alcohol?
Thanks to everyone for your help.
Thanks to everyone for your help.
Reefdiver72
Premium Member
I use acetone it will make sure its gone and melts away what ever is left I havent had any problems with what I have fixed.
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