Anyone good with injection silicone

[PerplexyHexy]

Picked up an aquarium from a dude for free because he broke the front glass... I just purchased a new piece of starphire glass for it and am trying to do a little research on how to get that 3/16” gap of silicone inbetween the glass... ive seen a few videos and read a few analysis on how to inject silicone to reseal aquariums, but still dont feel too confident...

I ordered this marine rtv silicone... Looks like you need to use spacers to get that gap between the glass then seal the inside seam of the tank with tape so the silicone doesnt leak on the inside of the area where your applying... Still not too confident... any knowledge of this would be greatly appreciated... the glass is 1/2” thick...

 

[vetteguy53081]

I prrsonally would go with an approved aquarium sealant such as all glass aqyarium or marineland. You esnt to apply bead and press together then clamp it for 24 hrs then apply an inner bead along seams.
That will complete seal and replacement. Clean surface is key. I use rubbing alcohol.

 

[maroun.c]

when I use clamps it gives a cleaner silicon seam with no air bubbles. yet few days after filling up you see a whitish gap in the seam due to some detaching as silicon is too thin. both my larger tanks were made by professional builders and they didn't use clamps.

 

[vetteguy53081]

when I use clamps it gives a cleaner silicon seam with no air bubbles. yet few days after filling up you see a whitish gap in the seam due to some detaching as silicon is too thin. both my larger tanks were made by professional builders and they didn't use clamps.

you want to use them for support- Not squeeze the pieces together as yes that will reduce amount of silicone to cure and leaving it as a thin dry bead.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

You see that thick gap of silicone? There is a perfect 1/8” gap... no glass to glass contact... so yes, they use spacers to get that gap created... The silicone I got is a high grade marine rtv specifically for aquarium use as says on the tube... Im pretty sure I know what to do... gonna start next week after I finish this filthy frag tank I bought off a pig on here...

 

[Cory]

Hey I used tooth picks as spacers. Use a helper because it's a hard task holding glass together while siliconing. Do not tighten the glass with clamps or you'll end up with water on the floor. Injecting it between the panels is easy but very messy first time around. Don't expect it to go smooth and clean. Be prepared to smooth the silicon bead and have a roll of paper towels nearby.

 

[Cory]

I agree rtv silicone is probably the best silicone you can get.

To remove old silicone use a wire brush on the edges. It works really well. And use steel wool.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Hey I used tooth picks as spacers. Use a helper because it's a hard task holding glass together while siliconing. Do not tighten the glass with clamps or you'll end up with water on the floor. Injecting it between the panels is easy but very messy first time around. Don't expect it to go smooth and clean. Be prepared to smooth the silicon bead and have a roll of paper towels nearby.

Thanks man... Trying to pump myself up for this one... We have a family friend that owns a glass shop in town... Got a 59”x22”x1/2” pane of starphire glass for $200... If I do get this tank in good solid running operation I will be selling my xl 425 and keeping the xl 525

 

[Cory]

Thanks man... Trying to pump myself up for this one... We have a family friend that owns a glass shop in town... Got a 59”x22”x1/2” pane of starphire glass for $200... If I do get this tank in good solid running operation I will be selling my xl 425 and keeping the xl 525

Really good deal for sure. I too got mine at cost because they broke the piece I brought them to cut. Good luck with project!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Only part Im having a hard time understanding... Is when to pull the spacers and then silicone the gaps where the spacers were... im confused because if you silicone everything and leave the spacers and let everything dry then after a few days pull the spacers and silicon in the gaps, isnt there going to be a problem? Silicone doeant stick to cured silicone... So im thinking it has to be done within a few hours after laying down the injection between glass... when it starts to firm, then pull spacers and fill in gaps with silicone... thats what my instinct tells me...

 

[vetteguy53081]

Only part Im having a hard time understanding... Is when to pull the spacers and then silicone the gaps where the spacers were... im confused because if you silicone everything and leave the spacers and let everything dry then after a few days pull the spacers and silicon in the gaps, isnt there going to be a problem? Silicone doeant stick to cured silicone... So im thinking it has to be done within a few hours after laying down the injection between glass... when it starts to firm, then pull spacers and fill in gaps with silicone... thats what my instinct tells me...

Your instinct makes sense.

 

[Cory]

Only part Im having a hard time understanding... Is when to pull the spacers and then silicone the gaps where the spacers were... im confused because if you silicone everything and leave the spacers and let everything dry then after a few days pull the spacers and silicon in the gaps, isnt there going to be a problem? Silicone doeant stick to cured silicone... So im thinking it has to be done within a few hours after laying down the injection between glass... when it starts to firm, then pull spacers and fill in gaps with silicone... thats what my instinct tells me...

I pulled the tooth picks out as soon as I was done with the silicone section

 

[PerplexyHexy]

I pulled the tooth picks out as soon as I was done with the silicone section

These gaps are bigger than toothpicks... So the silicone doesn’t squash itself from the weight of the glass? Do you still use C-Clamps or do you just let it set? Im so freaking dredding this project

 

[Cory]

These gaps are bigger than toothpicks... So the silicone doesn’t squash itself from the weight of the glass? Do you still use C-Clamps or do you just let it set? Im so freaking dredding this project

I used c clamps too. But clamping it tight causes the glass to dry where you clamped it. If there was a slight bend in the glass from clamping it will break from water pressure. You don't want that. I also used tape. I've seen tanks built with just tape. Problem is tape is scary when holding a heavy 1/2" thick glass. But it works. The weight of the glass is enough but you should push it together when done and apply tape to hold in place. It's not easy, and was very stressful for me being a first timer. I wouldn't do it again on a big tank, small yes but big no way.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

I used c clamps too. But clamping it tight causes the glass to dry where you clamped it. If there was a slight bend in the glass from clamping it will break from water pressure. You don't want that. I also used tape. I've seen tanks built with just tape. Problem is tape is scary when holding a heavy 1/2" thick glass. But it works. The weight of the glass is enough but you should push it together when done and apply tape to hold in place. It's not easy, and was very stressful for me being a first timer. I wouldn't do it again on a big tank, small yes but big no way.

Wonderful... Picked the wrong time in my life to quit drinking!!!

 

[norfolkgarden]

Wonderful... Picked the wrong time in my life to quit drinking!!!

Lol, Instant memory.

 

[mrpizzaface]

What if you made a couple three plywood boxes that were larger than the aquariums width by the dimension you wish your silicone size to be. If your aquarium was 20” in width and you wanted 1/8 silicon spacing you would make 3 boxes that were 20 1/8 in width. To install the glass you would lay the aquarium on its back, place the boxes to support the new glass, but not touching in the corners, lay the new glass on top and fill the gap with silicone. Remove boxes when dry. Cleanup up interior silicon with razor later.
Just an idea.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

What if you made a couple three plywood boxes that we larger than the aquariums width by the dimension you wish your silicone size to be. If your aquarium was 20” in width and you wanted 1/8 silicon spacing you would make 3 boxes that were 20 1/8 in width. To install the glass you would lay the aquarium on its back, place the boxes to support the new glass, but not touching in the corners, lay the new glass on top and fill the gap with silicone. Remove boxes when dry. Cleanup up interior silicon with razor later.
Just an idea.

Not a bad idea at all...

 

[JBKReef]

I’m preparing to change out a glass panel on a free tank I got... what method did you end up using?

 

[High ICP]

I’m preparing to change out a glass panel on a free tank I got... what method did you end up using?

My first question would be

How long before it started leaking?