Silicone--good or bad

[Susan Edwards]

Just really looked at the silicone seals on my used tank. I can use my nail and lift some of the edges and they are ragged, not the original nice smooth line.

Should I apply fresh silicon over what is there to be sure there is a good seal or do I have to remove and redo. Or can I just trim the loose flaps and reseal corners. Or do I have to remove all. This makes me nervous.... Bottom seals seem okay.

 

[Sycoticrealm]

It starting to go imo it may hold water and even for some time because it the silicone that smashed between that creates the water sill.
But imo i wouldn't bother with it either redo the silicone or buy a new one.
It can be used as a reptile tank someone would still buy it.

 

[Sycoticrealm]

Also you have to remove all of the old and replace it all or clean out the corners and reapply it may work.
I've never did it that way so you'd have to get other advice. I always just strip it all out if i want the tank still and apply all new silicone.
Or sell and buy new.

 

[Jeepguy242]

they get like that over time.... won't hurt a thing.... just aesthetics...

if you really want to be slick, cut out the old without cutting into the silicone between the panels, tape it off and then use black... make it really thin... looks fantastic...

here is mine that has been set up for 8 years now

 

[Sycoticrealm]

they get like that over time.... won't hurt a thing.... just aesthetics...

if you really want to be slick, cut out the old without cutting into the silicone between the panels, tape it off and then use black... make it really thin... looks fantastic...

here is mine that has been set up for 8 years now

My tang has done close to the same on my 29g. I'm setting up my 60g cube as we speak he has picked so much silicone off i don't wanna use the tank anymore lol.

 

[Jeepguy242]

dont sell it, there is nothing wrong.... if the silicone that is sammiched in between the glass is good the tank is good... the silicone does nothing to hold the panels together... it is actually just the "squeeze out" that they smoove over when they put the tank together...

 

[cracker]

I'm with jeep Guy you can cut out what you can,(not between the panels) & reseal. Iv'e done this in the past never a problem.

 

[Jeepguy242]

My tang has done close to the same on my 29g. I'm setting up my 60g cube as we speak he has picked so much silicone off i don't wanna use the tank anymore lol.

the pic i posted is a 125 gallon tank... i have actually toyed with the idea of cutting it out just for aesthetics... but i am lazy... LOL

i wouldn't hesitate to use a tank that has no silicone lip as long as it shows no voids between the panels...

 

[Idoc]

If you can, post pics of the silicone seal between the panes. Then we can see the integrity of that seal. The silicone in your pics posted looks rough, but that psrt of the silicone seal isn't what causes leaks. You can cut it out with a really sharp razorblade without cutting into the space between the panes and replace...black silicone does look nice in the corners. Tape the edges first so you have really straight lines. But definitely don't silicone over the old stuff... silicone doesn't adhere well to other old silicone!

 

[Jeepguy242]

But definitely don't silicone over the old stuff... silicone doesn't adhere well to other old silicone!

ABSOLUTELY THIS....

silicone wont stick to silicone....

and don't forget to use an aquarium safe silicone if you reseal it

 

[Sycoticrealm]

the pic i posted is a 125 gallon tank... i have actually toyed with the idea of cutting it out just for aesthetics... but i am lazy... LOL

i wouldn't hesitate to use a tank that has no silicone lip as long as it shows no voids between the panels...

I know how their made i just don't wanna bother with it anymore. I just worry once the corners go the silicone between will start to go in time.
Gotta watch buying used sometimes they're reptile tanks and the uv lights dry out the silicone.
But triming out and using black would look nice.
Probably put my kids guinea pig in it and the tangs need more space now anyways.
Should be good for a few years while they grow out.
Then it a bigger tank.[emoji23]