rEd86
Premium Member
Greetings.
I am considering purchasing a 700 gallon glass tank (10'x3'x3') that has a seam that needs to be repaired. It is a fresh water tank that I will be making into a reef tank. As you see from the photo:
the silicon has come apart at the seam and the tank is now leaking. (it's dribbling, not pouring) The area in question is about 3" in length and is in the middle of the 10ft span.
How should I repair the split seam? I would rather not pull apart the tank, since I think I might create more problems than I am solving and the size/weight of the glass is pretty intimidating to be handling that way, even for someone has tackled a lot of do-it-yourself projects.
Should I attempt to clean out the bad area and inject it with silicon again? I was thinking I would just load up the seam with a LOT of silicon and cover the repair with the trim of the stand so you couldn't see it. I've read that new silicone will not adhere to silicone that's already cured so will loading it up only solve the problem short-term? I just don't know if the seam splitting is an indication it's going to continue - I would hate to have 700+ gallons of salt water on my office floor if I don't repair this properly! The tank is less than 2 years old so I am hopeful that the seams in general are in good shape.
Suggestions?
TIA!
--Ed
I am considering purchasing a 700 gallon glass tank (10'x3'x3') that has a seam that needs to be repaired. It is a fresh water tank that I will be making into a reef tank. As you see from the photo:
the silicon has come apart at the seam and the tank is now leaking. (it's dribbling, not pouring) The area in question is about 3" in length and is in the middle of the 10ft span.
How should I repair the split seam? I would rather not pull apart the tank, since I think I might create more problems than I am solving and the size/weight of the glass is pretty intimidating to be handling that way, even for someone has tackled a lot of do-it-yourself projects.
Should I attempt to clean out the bad area and inject it with silicon again? I was thinking I would just load up the seam with a LOT of silicon and cover the repair with the trim of the stand so you couldn't see it. I've read that new silicone will not adhere to silicone that's already cured so will loading it up only solve the problem short-term? I just don't know if the seam splitting is an indication it's going to continue - I would hate to have 700+ gallons of salt water on my office floor if I don't repair this properly! The tank is less than 2 years old so I am hopeful that the seams in general are in good shape.
Suggestions?
TIA!
--Ed
(not something you can easily look up in the yellow pages) I would think a aquarium builder would need to be local since the cost to ship the tank out and back would be too much. If you know of anyone in the greater Cincinnati area, let me know!
