resealing a "new" old 125

Psiber_Syn · Dec 20, 2015

watched a few videos on resealing anyone have experience in this? Is it really that easy dont want to shop vac 125 gal of water if the thing explodes

pondman · Dec 20, 2015

Unless you know it leaks I would take to basement or out to garage and fill it up and let it sit for a few days. I still have a 29 gallon that is over twenty years old and I've never had a problem with it.

ReeferBob · Dec 21, 2015

If you do reseal you need to remove ALL of the silicone on the inside and do ALL of it in one sitting (like 20-30 minutes).

Psiber_Syn · Dec 29, 2015

sorry for slow response i was planning to do all of it at once except the top rim
it does not leak at all but the corners are very "chewed" up from previous owner scraping and the silicon looks very dirty from algae and all would it be worth risking ?

ReeferBob · Dec 30, 2015

IMO, no, not worth the risk.

Psiber_Syn · Jan 4, 2016

ReeferBob said:
IMO, no, not worth the risk.

why is it not worth the risk??
and suppose i already peeled the old off LOL

Mat1018 · Jan 4, 2016

I always reseal any of the used tanks I buy. It is very easy to do just takes time. Plus I feel better knowing I sealed it the some company that's just trying to push as many out the door as they can.

Psiber_Syn · Jan 4, 2016

Mat1018 said:
I always reseal any of the used tanks I buy. It is very easy to do just takes time. Plus I feel better knowing I sealed it the some company that's just trying to push as many out the door as they can.

i see everyone say using GE silicone 1* thats what i bought and on the back clearly says not for aquariums also do i have to peel out the overflow or can i butt up new silicone to old silicone?

Mat1018 · Jan 4, 2016

That silicone is fine I use that on all my tanks and sumps. Never have a problem. I would recommend removing all the old stuff it makes it easier to deal and you know that it's 100% sealed. Because new silicone doesn't not sick to dry silicone that great and can peel off by itself. For the over flow just lay the tank on its overflow backing then silicone it really good (use painter tape for nice straight lines. Peel off once done putting the silicone down, before it drys)

Psiber_Syn · Jan 5, 2016

Thanks for your input Mat1018 I really appreciate it was freaking when i read the back of the tubes and it stated not intended for use under the waterline or aquariums course all the videos i watched that is what was used the problem i am having is there is two large cross braces that i have yet to be able to get off it looks like it was siliconed in and then laid ontop of the silicone so may take some engineering to get it off was hoping to not have to do that though

again thanx for the info

Psiber_Syn · Jan 5, 2016

sorry for the double post but you said you used it in the sump is this glass on glass or glass on plexi?? im looking for a way to attach plexi baffles to the glass sump

Mat1018 · Jan 5, 2016

It was glass to glass but you can use silicone on plexi it just doesn't stick as good as glass. What you'll have to do is take some sand paper and rough up the sides of the plexi to help the silicone stick better. Still won't be the best but will work as long as it's not holding back a lot of pressure.

Stephanie11 · Jan 5, 2016

Take your time. It does take a lot of time to take off all silicone. I'm in the process now. Some rtv silicone works great.

If you attach plexi baffles to glass sump. Make sure you cut the plexi 1/8-1/4 inch narrower than needed. This will save you a mess. The glass and plexi expand at different rates. down the road if you make the plexi perfect fit it will crack your sump.