Can I just reseal the vertical seams

[Patrick.S]

I just bought a second hand tank and it holds water but the vertical seams are a bit frayed from some enthusiastic glass cleaning. Should I reseal or is it likely fine if it's holding water right now? If I do reseal can I just reseal the vertical seams as the bottom looks great? Or would this create a weak point where old and new meet? Very conflicted here.

 

[Billdogg]

Those fillets of silicone are there only for looks. The structural seams are between the glass panes themselves. If you want to replace them, go ahead, but make sure you clean off all traes of the old silicone, and be sure to tape the edges so that you get a clean line. If you don't, it will likely look worse than it does now.

 

[Patrick.S]

Interesting. So doing just the vertical seams shouldn’t cause any problems if I don’t mess up the structural part of the joint. Going to have to ponder if it’s worth it or not.

 

[Billdogg]

Keep in mind that you will be repeating the same wear and tear to the "new" silicone as you clean the tank yourself. Personally, I wouldn't bother