Silicone experts needed!

Stephanie11 · Aug 10, 2015

so I received this 135 gallon tank. 6' x 2' x 18". My plan is to chop it and use it for a frag tank. I have the dimensions I want. 6' x 14.5" x 18". Glass is either 1/2" or larger.

Top is going to be rimless with 1 center brace. Bottom is going to have plastic trim

My question is what silicone do I use? Is ge 1 good enough or is there another "stronger" brand?

Bubbles_B · Aug 10, 2015

3M makes a great silicone for the glass aquariums you can find it on Amazon.

jack5746 · Aug 10, 2015

Try doctors foster and smith.. they carry the full size tubes used with caulking gun. I used 5 tubes for my 390 gallon plywood build.

Adam Baggett · Aug 10, 2015

GE I 100% Silicone or you can order this Aqueon Silicone Clear. I have found with both of these is to let them sit for 4 - 5 days if not a little more

143MPCo · Aug 10, 2015

What the pros use is Momentive RTV108 One Part Silicone Sealant, I have used it and it works!!!

Stephanie11 · Aug 10, 2015

Well I'm planning to use black silicone from brs, I didn't know if there was some commercial stuff I could buy. I know all the off the shelf products.

Does anyone know approx how much I need? 1 10 oz tube. 2? 3?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquarium-silicone-adhesive.html#tab-full-details

Stephanie11 · Aug 10, 2015

143MPCo said:
What the pros use is Momentive RTV108 One Part Silicone Sealant, I have used it and it works!!!

That's what I wanted to hear! Thank you

143MPCo · Aug 10, 2015

http://www.amazon.com/Momentive-RTV103-Silicone-Sealant-Caulker/dp/B004V40OF2

This is the black version of the same product.

s2nhle · Aug 10, 2015

I heard for rimless tank, the manufacture uses different type of sealant. It made in Germany, it is much much much stronger than the regular silicone sealer.

redfishbluefish · Aug 10, 2015

You'll definitely want to use an RTV silicone. GE Silicone I is more a caulk while the RTV's are more adhesive. Although GE Silicone I can be used to build small tanks, you're better off with the RTV.

hybridazn · Aug 10, 2015

Rtv 103 is what you want to use. Rtv 108 is clear. The bonding power of rtv over the other silicone brands is way stronger.

It looks like the tank you want to male rimless is designed to run a top brace. If so I would reseal all the seams with rtv and put not only a center brace but also braces on each side on top to help hold.

pelphrey · Aug 10, 2015

ASI Aquarium Silicone. I've never used any of the Rtv products and they are always top of the list. I have used both the black and clear ASI silicone and have been happy with it.

Stephanie11 · Aug 10, 2015

hybridazn said:
Rtv 103 is what you want to use. Rtv 108 is clear. The bonding power of rtv over the other silicone brands is way stronger.

It looks like the tank you want to male rimless is designed to run a top brace. If so I would reseal all the seams with rtv and put not only a center brace but also braces on each side on top to help hold.

I think rtv 103 is the winner. I'm thinking since I'm cutting 10"s off the top and this being an old tank with thick glass I'm pretty sure I can get away with reusing just the glass center brace. For sure I'm going to use a bottom brace as well.

I'm planning on setting water height at 12.5" allows for 1/2 glass bottom and 1" of top of wier.

I have 3 jebao 25's for flow. I don't know if that will cut it.

Bean animal for plumbing

2 Chinese LEDs one side. 3' 4 bulb t5 for the other side.

Thoughts?

143MPCo · Aug 10, 2015

@Stephanie11 good luck and please let us know how the project progresses along.

redfishbluefish · Aug 10, 2015

143MPCo said:
@Stephanie11 good luck and please let us know how the project progresses along.

+1.....and include pictures.....and info on how you're cutting the glass.

Stephanie11 · Aug 11, 2015

Thank you for all the support. We're bringing the glass down the street for $20 to get cut. Hopefully they don't break it. We have the tools to do the rest. There will be more pics if the glass cutting goes as planned!

143MPCo · Sep 9, 2015

Stephanie11 said:
We're bringing the glass down the street for $20 to get cut. Hopefully they don't break it. We have the tools to do the rest. There will be more pics if the glass cutting goes as planned!

How did you make out with this project?

Feltman · Sep 9, 2015

All the rtv numbers are not just differnt color they are differnt sealants the color is simply an identifier. I'm a aircraft Mechanic and use the stuff regulaly in my experience the 108 adhears a lot better then the 103

Harold Green · Sep 9, 2015

Nothing wrong with a freebe but did you consider just running an eggcrate shelf across the tank at a height leaving the distance to the water that you were going to cut the tank down to. That way you have the benefit of full tank water volume. Here's my small frag tank. Water flows up through eggcrate, over divider, down to circulating pump. Water level stays constant over frag rack.

Stephanie11 · Sep 10, 2015

Well. The project is on hold till I get the glass cut. I was going to wait on a build thread till the most suspect part is done. It's been sitting untouched for two weeks as other projects take priority. Well we moved it from the horses. I did get rtv 108 in. Clear.

Where the tank is going to go is in the laundry room under the stairs compartment. Since the tank was 20+ years old sitting in a smokers house it had to be taken apart. I need the space over the tank for lights. I plan on using a 40b for a sump. So water volume is not a problem. Looking at 90-100g water when full of rock and stock. 70 gal frag tank 30 gal in sump. If the cutters break the glass I have a 75 sitting around. I have a 40b frag tank right now. It's too small for my needs. I wanted to double my floor space.