Should I reseal this tank?

[Blindface]

Hey all, I recently got this used 80 gallon lagoon from my LFS and was wondering if I should reseal it. It passed a leak test and the people at the store assured me I didn’t have to reseal it. Just want to get anyone else’s opinion. The photos I posted are the two spots that “worried” me the most.

 

[vetteguy53081]

If you have concerns or doubts, by all means yes
It’s easy. Having done at least 75 tanks for customers,
Take a sharp razor blade and cut into silicone. Zip it off in both sides. Scrape remainder totally clean. Use soft cotton cloth and rubbing alcohol and clean glass well .
apply generous bead of aquarium sealant such as aqueon tank sealant- not silicone into corner
With wet finger pack into corner and edge evenly and allow to dry 36-48 hrs
Then add freshwater and allow to sit 24- 36hrs as leak test
If all good, get ready to set tank up

 

[dedragon]

im not seeing much seam damage but that cud just be the photo

 

[dedragon]

based on the photo i would say it looks fine

 

[dedragon]

you could add silicone on top of the old seam from glass to glass just to increase the structural ridgity but it wont fix it if the seam is already close to busting as silicond doesnt stick to old silicone

 

[Blindface]

Hey this is a more zoomed in image of the seam that I was worried about… you can see how it’s clearly fine… but I want to never have to worry about it lol

 

[Blindface]

I would honestly rather not reseal it… I’ve just heard enough horror stories lol. And I want this tank to be the center piece to my new apartment

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Hey this is a more zoomed in image of the seam that I was worried about… you can see how it’s clearly fine… but I want to never have to worry about it lol

This would benefit from a reseal. I buy all my tanks second hand and I typically reseal them. I would cut this caulking back a bit, clean it out with some iso or denatured then tape and reseal, smooth it out with your finger or tooler then pull the tape and Wala your done.

 

[Blindface]

Thank you all for your advice, one thing I’m loving is your all making it sound like it’s a fairly easy job! So I guess last question haha.. would you all do black or clear silicon haha… I realize this is clearly aesthetic .

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Thank you all for your advice, one thing I’m loving is your all making it sound like it’s a fairly easy job! So I guess last question haha.. would you all do black or clear silicon haha… I realize this is clearly aesthetic .

I’m a Big fan of black on frameless tanks.

 

[dale347]

I have always been told that new silicone doesn't stick to old silicone. You have to remove all the old to get a new seal. True?

 

[Blindface]

I have always been told that new silicone doesn't stick to old silicone. You have to remove all the old to get a new seal. True?

Yea sadly it won’t still to already cured silicone

 

[Big Smelly fish]

It doesn’t look bad enough to leak by the pictures you have . But if you did decide to reseal pull all the silicone like mentioned. It’s the only way to get a good seal. Don’t try patching it up with silicone on top of old.

 

[Blindface]

But to my understanding you leave that small amount between the two pieces of glass and seal of that

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I have always been told that new silicone doesn't stick to old silicone. You have to remove all the old to get a new seal. True?

No It can stick it’s just why add good silicone to failing silicone right. I used to work as a Forman for a commercial glazing company. Repairing failed seals was part of the job. I specifically asked if old would stick to new and I saw first hand it does. Needs to be clean tho not dried out or crusty. In most cases here that’s not the case.

 

[dale347]

No It can stick it’s just why add good silicone to failing silicone right. I used to work as a Forman for a commercial glazing company. Repairing failed seals was part of the job. I specifically asked if old would stick to new and I saw first hand it does. Needs to be clean tho not dried out or old. In most cases here that’s not the case.

Sorry to highjack the post but I have a spreading bubble in the corner of my tank. I am getting different information. Thanks!!

 

[Duncan62]

Hey all, I recently got this used 80 gallon lagoon from my LFS and was wondering if I should reseal it. It passed a leak test and the people at the store assured me I didn’t have to reseal it. Just want to get anyone else’s opinion. The photos I posted are the two spots that “worried” me the most.

I would for piece of mind. The new sealant will extend the life of the tank before it needs help again. But I can't really see the condition of the existing sealant. If the tank is new relatively new and no edges are lifting and the sealant still has a shine when clean then maybe no. Nice tank. Get it running!