jascymcl
unregistered
To all you DIYers which is the best all-around reefsafe silicone to build rimless tanks? Oh, one more question is there a rule on glass thickness per gallons? Appreciate any info you guys have.:bigsmile:
Best and Stongest
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Troylee
all about the diy!!!!!
Rtv 103 is the strongest...
From the research I did, the glass thickness all depends on the height of the tank. I just finished a 24x24x14 with 1/4" glass. If I had kids or a lot of traffic in my tanks area, I would have went 3/8 probably.
Although, I've put a straight edge on the tank when full and it wasn't flexing at all at the top so I think it was the best option for my build. I think they say 1/4 is good up to 15" and after that 3/8 is required, I didnt even check the next steps, but I think it increases every few inches. Try a few searches on google for more information on popular thickness rules.
Also, I went with a floating bottom and Black GE 100% Silicone II*.
Assembly is said to be harder but I found that to be untrue, with the floating bottom I will never have to worry about the stand being 100% level or putting a pad under it to prevent the bottom from shattering.
Although, I've put a straight edge on the tank when full and it wasn't flexing at all at the top so I think it was the best option for my build. I think they say 1/4 is good up to 15" and after that 3/8 is required, I didnt even check the next steps, but I think it increases every few inches. Try a few searches on google for more information on popular thickness rules.
Also, I went with a floating bottom and Black GE 100% Silicone II*.
Assembly is said to be harder but I found that to be untrue, with the floating bottom I will never have to worry about the stand being 100% level or putting a pad under it to prevent the bottom from shattering.
jascymcl
unregistered
.Also, I went with a floating bottom and Black GE 100% Silicone II*.
Assembly is said to be harder but I found that to be untrue, with the floating bottom I will never have to worry about the stand being 100% level or putting a pad under it to prevent the bottom from shattering.[/QUOTE]
What do you mean by a floating bottom?
Assembly is said to be harder but I found that to be untrue, with the floating bottom I will never have to worry about the stand being 100% level or putting a pad under it to prevent the bottom from shattering.[/QUOTE]
What do you mean by a floating bottom?
ronnie
Acro addict
GE silicone is definitely not a good idea for any tank. It doesn't have the adhesive properties required to be reliable long term.
It might last five or ten years, or it might split a seam tonight when you are sleeping. The "might" is what would bother me.
It might last five or ten years, or it might split a seam tonight when you are sleeping. The "might" is what would bother me.
tcfab
Active Member
As said you want to use Momentive RTV 100 series silicone, it is an adhesive silicone and is much stronger then regular silicone. Ge silicone II is not safe for a tank for two reasons, it is not strong enough and also it has mold inhibitors in it that are not safe for your livestock. Ge silicone I is a 100 percent silicone is is fine to use for resealing a tank or putting panels in a sump but not for structurial joints.
If you decide to try and build a tank with Momentive RTV series it is a great silicone and I have used it several times when building tanks. If you have never used it you might want to practice on building a sump or a smaller tank first. The RTV silicone "skins" over pretty quick so you have to be very fast, you don't want the silicone to skin over before you put your glass down.
What size tank are you wanting to build?
If you decide to try and build a tank with Momentive RTV series it is a great silicone and I have used it several times when building tanks. If you have never used it you might want to practice on building a sump or a smaller tank first. The RTV silicone "skins" over pretty quick so you have to be very fast, you don't want the silicone to skin over before you put your glass down.
What size tank are you wanting to build?
Troylee
all about the diy!!!!!
Glass thickness depends on length and height to be honest... Also on how you plan on building the tank will determine the bottom thickness.... Which means if your gonna go rimless or build it like a traditional glass tank where the bottom is recessed up or building it like a acrylic tank where the walls sit on the bottom pane of glass..... It would be easier to answer the question if you just said the dimensions you wanted and rimless or euro etc.... Lol 
Apparently, my tank is screwed and destine for disaster. Time for the ballbat treatment!
tcfab is right and I should take my entire tank apart and redo it again.
Maybe I should just cut my wrists and get out of the hobby all together instead.
I already took it apart once to change from clear to black GE silicone, I'm not doing it again.
I suck at life.
tcfab is right and I should take my entire tank apart and redo it again.
Maybe I should just cut my wrists and get out of the hobby all together instead.
I already took it apart once to change from clear to black GE silicone, I'm not doing it again.
I suck at life.
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tcfab
Active Member
Smiley, I never said you should take your tank apart I was just giving you a warning about the mold inhibitors in GE II. You should do a little more research about products you plan on using. Sounds like you need a little more help then that though:squigglemouth:
Jascymcl, I would do 1/2" glass. You will want to find something to put between your panels to give you a small gap (3/32") Also I would recommend doing a small 2" bottom eurobrace around the bottom glass. This doubles up your siliconing surface and makes the bottom much stronger.
Jascymcl, I would do 1/2" glass. You will want to find something to put between your panels to give you a small gap (3/32") Also I would recommend doing a small 2" bottom eurobrace around the bottom glass. This doubles up your siliconing surface and makes the bottom much stronger.
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I do need help, atleast this week. LOL It's been a harsh one, and I'd had enough bad news/happenings (Lost a great deal of money trusting a friend). It was sitting there on the floor and kicking the **** out of it seemed awfuly fun. It was indeed, but made a bit of a mess. Go figure, lol.
I've been under pressure to get the tank ready before christmas and literally every hold up you could imagine had come up with it. I learned a lot building it so when I get the starphire ordered and in, I should be able to get it together without taking it apart multiple times for stupid little things.
I put in and took out 3 different overflows trying to find a good height for the running water level, lot of scratches on the glass form doing this.. After we decided to do the black silicone, we somehow ended up putting the side panels on backwards during reassembly and had the scratches on the front side of the tank, this was the main contributing factor to writing the build off entirely. I also really wanted to do starphire glass but opted to rush into standard glass. Kinda glad I didn't since we had so much trouble with the overflow height.
We spent a lot of time reading about the different options for silicone to use and GE was everywhere, probably due to it's popularity in resealing one using it. It was readily available and we had used it for resealing several times, so we went with it for assembly. Obviously a terrible decision and will cost me even more time in the build. All good though, no more green glass.
I've been under pressure to get the tank ready before christmas and literally every hold up you could imagine had come up with it. I learned a lot building it so when I get the starphire ordered and in, I should be able to get it together without taking it apart multiple times for stupid little things.
I put in and took out 3 different overflows trying to find a good height for the running water level, lot of scratches on the glass form doing this.. After we decided to do the black silicone, we somehow ended up putting the side panels on backwards during reassembly and had the scratches on the front side of the tank, this was the main contributing factor to writing the build off entirely. I also really wanted to do starphire glass but opted to rush into standard glass. Kinda glad I didn't since we had so much trouble with the overflow height.
We spent a lot of time reading about the different options for silicone to use and GE was everywhere, probably due to it's popularity in resealing one using it. It was readily available and we had used it for resealing several times, so we went with it for assembly. Obviously a terrible decision and will cost me even more time in the build. All good though, no more green glass.
Instead of the front/back/sides sitting ontop of the bottom pane of glass, the bottom is raised 1/4 inch and the walls surround it on the ouside. From what I have read, this is done to prevent the bottom from shattering if the surface it sits on isn't completely level and smooth. It puts the weight of the tank on the bottom edges of the side panels.
jascymcl
unregistered
Well smily we a go through rough patches. Sorry to here you are going through one, but it will pass. Just take it easy and dont do anything irrational. If you have to break or kick something out to release stress do it but be carefull to not hurt yourself or any one else. I have a pretty bad temp so I know what you are going through. All the mistakes are not that bad because you learned something knew. CHILL OUT Buddy:bigsmile:
