Quick question on the reseal I just finished

[living_tribunal]

I just finished re sealing this used tank I recently purchased.

The job ain’t pretty. One thing I’m worried about is it was hard to smooth over the intersections where the bottom edges met the vertical ones.

3 out of the 4 corners look a little too thing and I know I can’t apply more silicone on top of this silicone job.

Should I redo this?

 

[T_BONE]

Just my $.02 but I wouldn’t want my floor filling with water. If in doubt cut it out! I would cut it out and reseal it if it were mine. Just for some reassurance.

 

[living_tribunal]

Just my $.02 but I wouldn’t want my floor filling with water. If in doubt cut it out! I would cut it out and reseal it if it were mine. Just for some reassurance.

Probably the smart move. Any advice on how to smoothly transition the silicone from the horizontal edges to vertical? Every time I move my finger through the intersection it just cuts so deep on the corner.

I wish there was an easier way for removing silicone :/ takes so dang long to get it all off.

 

[T_BONE]

I have worked with silicone before and it really sucks. Lol. There is more than likely someone on YouTube that’s done this. Have you tried looking on there? Might be worth a shot.

 

[living_tribunal]

I have worked with silicone before and it really sucks. Lol. There is more than likely someone on YouTube that’s done this. Have you tried looking on there? Might be worth a shot.

I have, been using 2 or 3 guides. They just make it seem much easier than it is.

I’ve done this twice now and both times it took 4-6 hours to remove every inch of silicone. I also have to move so fast with this 60g tank in order to smooth it before it sets.

Just started removing the silicone, hopefully the third time is a charm

 

[living_tribunal]

I just cleaned this tank like my life depended on it.

Here we go with the third attempt.


If this fails, I’m purchasing a tank

 

[living_tribunal]

Cleaned the tank like my life depended on it, re sealed again, I think I got it.

It’s a little dirty and I pulled the tape a little late so some thicker spots pulled up a little.

I think this should work though. If anyone thinks I should redo, I’m definitely all ears.

 

[T_BONE]

I think I would fill it and let it sit for a few days to “load test” it. Looks like you got it pretty good from the pics at least.

 

[rc1626]

Just my .02 after just resealing my 180. Everything I read basically says the inner seal is just a protective seal for that between the panes of glass. The seal between the panes is the structural water tight seal. You probably would have been ok with the second attempt but I feel your nervousness. I redid mine a second time as well due to not liking my first attempt. As long as you don't damage the structural seal while scraping out the old inner seal and as long as the structural seal is still good to begin with you'd be ok. I was just recently checking out a Waterbox aquarium at my LFS and those are pretty much built with just a structural seal (no real inner seal). I was shocked!
It can certainly be a messy, nerve wracking, time consuming but rewarding experience.
Good luck to you! Hope all goes well.
Yes! definitely water test for a few days to a week.

 

[Urtoo]

Garage/patio test the reseal full of h2o, for as long as it takes to calm your nerves to bring it in the house.
I would go a week with a strong pump flowing, just to grant some kinetic force. Sure, I know that the atmosphere is already pushing down on the water, but in my mind, it makes sense to test it out.
My tank that I am building was a freebie and I tested it in the garage with a DCQ-8000 roaring and I waited until I was seeing dry floor for 5 days with the pump flushing around. Now it is setup and, sure, my crazy brain gets ideas of disaster, but its nothing compaired to if I did not test.

 

[Katrina71]

Did you test it yet?

 

[living_tribunal]

Did you test it yet?

Nope, resealing for a fourth time. I found a bubble inside the silicone at an upper corner last night.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do a freshwater test. best bet to determine finished product. Worse that can happen- it leaks and you do it again and thicker.

 

[Katrina71]

Agreed. You'll get it!

 

[living_tribunal]

The key is actually to not get it too thick, that’s when you encounter bubbles and it interrupts the speed required to get the bead nice and deep before it begins to cure.

 

[living_tribunal]

Just my .02 after just resealing my 180. Everything I read basically says the inner seal is just a protective seal for that between the panes of glass. The seal between the panes is the structural water tight seal. You probably would have been ok with the second attempt but I feel your nervousness. I redid mine a second time as well due to not liking my first attempt. As long as you don't damage the structural seal while scraping out the old inner seal and as long as the structural seal is still good to begin with you'd be ok. I was just recently checking out a Waterbox aquarium at my LFS and those are pretty much built with just a structural seal (no real inner seal). I was shocked!
It can certainly be a messy, nerve wracking, time consuming but rewarding experience.
Good luck to you! Hope all goes well.
Yes! definitely water test for a few days to a week.

This is kind of a concern of mine at this point. I’ve scratched off silicone four times now from the tank.

If I don’t get it on this final attempt then I don’t think I can do it again without risking the seam of the tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is kind of a concern of mine at this point. I’ve scratched off silicone four times now from the tank.

If I don’t get it on this final attempt then I don’t think I can do it again without risking the seam of the tank.

be sure when re-sealing, clean area well of silicone and wipe down with alcohol before reseal. popsicle sticks work well in applying/forming a uniform bead. Ive resealed numerous for people with success

 

[living_tribunal]

be sure when re-sealing, clean area well of silicone and wipe down with alcohol before reseal. popsicle sticks work well in applying/forming a uniform bead. Ive resealed numerous for people with success

I’ve made sure to thoroughly wipe with acetone and allow to dry/evaporate before caulking.

I’m interested in learning more about using popsicle sticks for the sealing. I’ve used my finger and a tool before. Do you just use the popsicle stick in the same manner?

Also, how much pressure do you apply when running something through the silicone?

 

[Why-Me]

Is there any way to practice on the sump to perfect your craft before one last time on the DT?

 

[living_tribunal]

Is there any way to practice on the sump to perfect your craft before one last time on the DT?

While that’s a good idea, it would probably do more harm to the sump than good.

I’d hate to be down both a tank and a sump!

Maybe there is a glass corner somewhere I can use.