Re-sealing a used tank?

[MsGardeness]

Does anyone know where I can take a second-hand tank to get it re-sealed? Hopefully somewhere between Toronto north and Orillia? I would hope this would be more economical than buying a brand new tank.

Thanks!

[CanadaPleco]

Never heard of a place doing it, not really feasable. Its a pretty easy process. Go to the hardware store, get some razor blades and scrape off all the old silicone. Then get some window and door silicone and re glue.

[jlloydb]

what size tank? silicone does not cure to old silicone, so i use a Dow Corning product called "cleaner and surface prep solvent" after the razor work. it gets the glass squeaky clean. i have cans on shelf if anyone wants to try this product for their next repair/tank build.

[MsGardeness]

Wow - live and learn I suppose! I bought the caulking and had hubby re-seal. But he just put it over the old stuff. (sigh) The tank is a Hagen 77g.

If I remove all the caulking he did along with the old stuff - (don't laugh yet) - will the sides fall apart from each other? How would you hold them all together to recaulk? Maybe I should have just bought a new tank instead of second-hand. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[CanadaPleco]

Hey we all learn right :)

When you take the silicone out alone the seams the glass will not fall apart, there is a thin layer inbetween the glass pieces which will hold it together along with the trim. Clean it really well, as James said silicone does not bond well at all to itself. Then get that caulking gun out and have a go again. Let it cure for at least a few days before filling up. Big custom tank manufacturers will tell you not to fill for 30 days, but that I think is just because the silicone is so thick in those tanks.

[MsGardeness]

Thanks Rich - I'll have a go at it starting tonight or on the weekend. As the new caulk is being applied - what do you use to smooth the bead out and yet not let it smear too wide from the corner seam?

[CanadaPleco]

I put masking tape in the corners so the bead does not go super wide when I smooth it with a wet finger, or wrap wet plastic over finger and smooth it that way. Then pull the masking tape off and you have a nice straight bead. It can take time to get the silicone off.

Its not the most fun job in the world that is for sure.

[jlloydb]

to make a nice clean caulk line: 1) tape both sides with painter tape. 2) apply silicone bead and press to concave shape with finger so silicone overlaps tape thinly. 3) remove tape when silicone skins, but has yet to begin curing process. if you pull tape too soon, it becomes a sticky mess. if you pull tape too late, it can lift the silicone off glass with it. practice makes perfect. best jobs have a very thin silicone overlap on the tape. if taping is a big pain, you can skip that stage, but bead will look DIY for sure. stock up on baby wipes. they are the best for spreading and cleaning up unwanted silicone while it is still uncured. HTH.

[MsGardeness]

You make it sound easy. :go:

So apply masking or painters' tape to both sides of the seam. Apply caulk and use either use wet finger or baby wipes to smooth out onto tape (thinly).

How long after applying the caulk would you think the tape could be removed? Maybe 3-4 hours?

I think I'll do it myself this time 'round. :beatbrick:

[jlloydb]

i would pull the tape as soon as you can touch the surface of it without causing a dairy queen type curl. this is why a thin layer over the tape helps to keep things neat. baby wipes are great for smoothing silicone. fingers tend to make those DQ type messes in the corners unless you wet them, and water will work against you when working with silicone on glass. HTH.

[MsGardeness]

All this does indeed help - thanks!! I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes.

[Bwhiskered]

I just buy a tube or two from Walmart. General Electric Silicone 1 all purpose. Door and window caulking silicone does not add strength. There are many grades of silicone. As a cleaner I use the same as the manufacturers which is white vinegar on a rag or a paper towel. My son used to make tanks from glass he was give. He would make twenty on Saturday night and take them to an auction on Sunday morning. Never had a leaker or a complaint.

[MsGardeness]

Thanks Bwhiskered. That is the silicone I'm using "GE Silicone I for Windows and Doors". Sounds like your son knew a thing or two about aquariums.

[MsGardeness]

Well I did it! Removed all the old caulking, vacuumed it all out and re-caulked, Smoothed bead with finger and it looks great! I rather amazed myself. Only one question (for now) - I did the two back side seems and the back bottom seam that hubby did first time round. The front bottom has a huge amount of caulking on (was on previously); the beading I applied is very small in comparison. The 3 seams I did look the same as the 2 front side seams. Should the bottom have much more caulking than the sides? Is the only way to know whether I put enough on, is by doing a test fill...? I was thinking I'd wait two or three weeks and then fil it.

[Bwhiskered]

All you need even for a complete tank just made is 24 hours.

[jlloydb]

if the new silicone smear covers 1/4" of glass surface, on either side of each corner, then your 72 gal. tank is ready for a test fill. IMO.

[MsGardeness]

24 hours to cure? Really? Okay then since the silicone does extend 1/4" out from the seam - I'll give it a test fill this weekend.

Here's a real newbie Q for you: It's currently sitting on the floor in the laundry room (taking up most of the laundry room), should I move it to the stand in the hallway where it will be on display to do the test fill, or leave it where it is to do that or move it outside on the front lawn to test fill... just in case?

Also what all does a test fill include? Filling it to the top, I'm sure; but how long do I leave it for to say: Yes it is leakproof? Is there anything else I should check for at this time?

[CanadaPleco]

Put it where if it leaks it wont matter :) and fill it to where you will have it with the water in it when full of fishies.

[MsGardeness]

Alrighty - that's about 2" from the top I guess. I'm putting this baby outside for the fill-test!! Thanks Rich.