Tank Repair

Brandon.helvie · Dec 8, 2012

So I planned on purchasing a 75g tank to start my first go at a reef tank. I posted on Craigslist for a tank and fortunately a gentlemen came back to me and said that he had a 72g oceanic bow front that he would give me for free! Very appreciative that this man is helping others into this hobby! The deal with the tank is that it leaks from the bottom. So I plan on resealing the tank myself. The trouble that I'm having is finding a reputable safe sealant. Thought I'd reach out to everyone here and see what y'all thought!

skinz78 · Dec 8, 2012

Just use a good silicon that is 100% with no mildicides.

Trevdawg · Dec 29, 2012

i recently just aquaired a used tank as well. This thing is 12-15 years old. You can tell it had a spot or 2 touched up already. But since it is emptied out, i want to reseal all the corners. What is the best way to clean the tank in the corners, or a damp rag....let it dry then use the silicon???

I just don't want to reseal it and have a nasty/dirty spot under he new silicon that is visible.

Any reccomendations??

Jake1 · Dec 29, 2012

You really want to remove the old. That way you get a good water tight hold

Trevdawg · Dec 29, 2012

But what is the best way to remove the old stuff???
It seems like he resealed a spot or 2.... Maybe even resealed the whole tank but I would rather do it now since it is empty.

Trevdawg · Dec 30, 2012

It looks like it was redone already but I'm not sure about these corners.... They aren't that bad tho. There was a chip/notch in the corner on the outside towards the top and it was resealed or filled in and that is why I think it was redone.

Here you can see a good bead/seal along the bottom.

Here you can see the corner is lightly peeling but doesn't seem bad.

Thoughts/options??

stunreefer · Dec 30, 2012

New silicone will not stick to old silicone, so you have to cut away the old silicone beads with a razor blade down to the glass then clean with acetone. Search Youtube for removing old silicone for a couple "how to" videos.

I highly recommend using actual aquarium silicone. You should be able to find black or clear from a good LFS, Marine Depot, or Premium Aquatics, etc. I tried "safe" silicone from Lowes/Home Depot once for baffling a sump, and it worked without harming anything, but turned bright yellow within a week.

Bootstrap · Dec 30, 2012

stunreefer said:
New silicone will not stick to old silicone, so you have to cut away the old silicone beads with a razor blade down to the glass then clean with acetone. Search Youtube for removing old silicone for a couple "how to" videos.

I highly recommend using actual aquarium silicone. You should be able to find black or clear from a good LFS, Marine Depot, or Premium Aquatics, etc. I tried "safe" silicone from Lowes/Home Depot once for baffling a sump, and it worked without harming anything, but turned bright yellow within a week.

You sure that's the silicone and not an algae/bacteria

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

stunreefer · Dec 30, 2012

Yes. It was bright highlighter yellow as seen in the picture. It changed from clear to yellow within about 48 hours. There was no light over the sump to grow algae.

Bootstrap · Dec 30, 2012

I used 100% from lowes, o have some bright yellow on my silicone too, just showed up after 3 weeks with 12 hours of light s day. Same color, i need to see if I can scratch it off to determine what mine is

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

SNAKEMANVET · Dec 31, 2012

I replaced a bottom glass on a 240,I removed the bottom glass and scraped all the silicone with a razorblade,then used acetone with a wire wheel brush to remove the silicone residue.I went over the edges 3 times to make sure it was gone.Then replaced the glass.

Trevdawg · Dec 31, 2012

How long do you think the silicone will last if done right??

I'm getting eggar to fill this thing instead of redoing the silicone since it has already been done once.

Troylee · Jan 1, 2013

^^^ no telling... If it was done right it could last years if it was a bandaid fix it could last a day or 10 years no telling.. I wouldn't risk it personally clean it out real well and re silicone the tank... It will only take you a few hours and you will have a piece of mind... Just my 2..