Resealing tank

diehardg8r34 · 01/29/2018, 12:51 PM

My apologies if this issue has been talked about and also if this is in the wrong place but I need some help. I have a tank I recently purchased used and now have noticed after setting it up that water is leaking from the bottom edge where it sits in the frame. It seems like a bad caulk job and also noticed that one of the corners was bad so I removed that caulk also but noticed the glass seems to flex a little in the corner. I ordered some black aquarium silicone sealant to repair the inside edge but I am concerned about the one corner. Is there anything I can do with the silicone to seal that corner in question or is it a lost cause? I will be resealing the entire bottom edge because it appears as if it was done poorly.

oldhead · 01/29/2018, 01:17 PM

If you do any re-sealing in the tank you will have to do it all. Silicone won't stick to itself so the old beads will have to be removed the glass cleaned and then fresh beads through out the tank bottom and walls.

diehardg8r34 · 01/29/2018, 01:23 PM

What about the seams in the corners? I have one where about 3-4 inches of it appear to be questionable. I know that the new silicone will not adhere to the old but will the entire tank need to be dismantled and redone or just remove the old caulk and reseal it?

nereefpat · 01/29/2018, 01:26 PM

Unfortunately, if the tank is leaking, then a seam has a fault.

You will most likely have to take the panels apart and redo the seams. It's not as simple as redoing the silicone on the inside of the tank.

diehardg8r34 · 01/29/2018, 01:33 PM

Is it better at this point to just get another tank and not fight with this?

thegrun · 01/29/2018, 01:33 PM

Sorry, but you need to completely disassemble the tank, thoroughly clean the glass and start over. It's a big job, so unless it's a nice tank it's probably not worth the effort. If you do decide to reseal the entire tank, be sure to use a good quality structural silicone, I like Momentive RTV or GE SCS1200.

diehardg8r34 · 01/29/2018, 01:37 PM

I am thinking i will just start over with a different tank. Thanks for the help. I think it will be too much for me to get this accomplished since I dont want to spend the time redoing it and it still not work.

diehardg8r34 · 01/29/2018, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Sorry, but you need to completely disassemble the tank, thoroughly clean the glass and start over. It's a big job, so unless it's a nice tank it's probably not worth the effort. If you do decide to reseal the entire tank, be sure to use a good quality structural silicone, I like Momentive RTV or GE SCS1200.

So if I do decide to redo the tank will placing a small bead on the bottom of where the glass sits and in the corners seal the tank well?

diehardg8r34 · 01/29/2018, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardg8r34

So if I do decide to redo the tank will placing a small bead on the bottom of where the glass sits and in the corners seal the tank well?

And also running a thick bead along the joints.

thegrun · 01/29/2018, 04:22 PM

not without first removing all the old (existing) silicone.

diehardg8r34 · 01/29/2018, 05:03 PM

I have removed all the sealant from inside the tank but do I need to remove it from where it was put together at the joint or just take it all the way apart? Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to avoid buying another tank.

lapin · 01/29/2018, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardg8r34

I have removed all the sealant from inside the tank.

I assume you mean the bead that is in the corner like caulk. This bead is run to protect the inner bead from damage.

Do I need to remove it from where it was put together at the joint or just take it all the way apart?

I am not sure what you mean by joint and all the way apart Can you show is a picture?

thegrun · 01/29/2018, 07:14 PM

ALL OLD silicone must be removed. It will leak if you try to seal over the silicone in the joints. I know, it seems like it will not leak if you do a good job, but trust me on this, within a month (if not immediately) it will begin to leak.

mcozad829 · 01/29/2018, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardg8r34

I am thinking i will just start over with a different tank. Thanks for the help. I think it will be too much for me to get this accomplished since I dont want to spend the time redoing it and it still not work.

If you are new to the hobby your first DIY project should not be building a glass tank, because that is essentially what a re-seal is, taking all 5 pieces of glass completely apart, cleaning them, and then bracing/sealing. And if you do get it to hold water the question becomes how long will it hold water. I highly recommend just using a tank that doesn't leak from a reputable manufacturer. Best of Luck to ya.

TxAdamFitz · 01/29/2018, 11:04 PM

We trimmed the old caulk back on all corners edges, sides and bottom of the tank. We used caulk from Grainger called momentive, google it. Some of the monster tank builders use it. It cures fast so try it out on scrap pieces first to get the bead right. We didn’t separate the glass. Holding strong since 2014. Make sure all surfaces are clean. Not as hard as it seems. If you don’t have the time just sell what you have and get a new tank ✌️

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hearttx · 01/30/2018, 08:26 AM

There are a few videos on YouTube to give you an idea of what you would be in for if you start the job.

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diehardg8r34 · 01/31/2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

I am not sure what you mean by joint and all the way apart Can you show is a picture?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

diehardg8r34 · 01/31/2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxAdamFitz

We trimmed the old caulk back on all corners edges, sides and bottom of the tank. We used caulk from Grainger called momentive, google it. Some of the monster tank builders use it. It cures fast so try it out on scrap pieces first to get the bead right. We didn’t separate the glass. Holding strong since 2014. Make sure all surfaces are clean. Not as hard as it seems. If you don’t have the time just sell what you have and get a new tank ✌️

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I bought this off Amazon.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/29/2018, 12:51 PM	#1
diehardg8r34 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 9	Resealing tank My apologies if this issue has been talked about and also if this is in the wrong place but I need some help. I have a tank I recently purchased used and now have noticed after setting it up that water is leaking from the bottom edge where it sits in the frame. It seems like a bad caulk job and also noticed that one of the corners was bad so I removed that caulk also but noticed the glass seems to flex a little in the corner. I ordered some black aquarium silicone sealant to repair the inside edge but I am concerned about the one corner. Is there anything I can do with the silicone to seal that corner in question or is it a lost cause? I will be resealing the entire bottom edge because it appears as if it was done poorly.

01/29/2018, 01:26 PM	#4
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Unfortunately, if the tank is leaking, then a seam has a fault. You will most likely have to take the panels apart and redo the seams. It's not as simple as redoing the silicone on the inside of the tank. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/29/2018, 11:04 PM	#15
TxAdamFitz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 2	We trimmed the old caulk back on all corners edges, sides and bottom of the tank. We used caulk from Grainger called momentive, google it. Some of the monster tank builders use it. It cures fast so try it out on scrap pieces first to get the bead right. We didn’t separate the glass. Holding strong since 2014. Make sure all surfaces are clean. Not as hard as it seems. If you don’t have the time just sell what you have and get a new tank ✌️ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Using Tapatalk

01/29/2018, 01:17 PM	#2
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	If you do any re-sealing in the tank you will have to do it all. Silicone won't stick to itself so the old beads will have to be removed the glass cleaned and then fresh beads through out the tank bottom and walls.

01/29/2018, 01:23 PM	#3
diehardg8r34 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 9	What about the seams in the corners? I have one where about 3-4 inches of it appear to be questionable. I know that the new silicone will not adhere to the old but will the entire tank need to be dismantled and redone or just remove the old caulk and reseal it?

01/29/2018, 01:33 PM	#5
diehardg8r34 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 9	Is it better at this point to just get another tank and not fight with this?

01/29/2018, 01:33 PM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Sorry, but you need to completely disassemble the tank, thoroughly clean the glass and start over. It's a big job, so unless it's a nice tank it's probably not worth the effort. If you do decide to reseal the entire tank, be sure to use a good quality structural silicone, I like Momentive RTV or GE SCS1200.

01/29/2018, 01:37 PM	#7
diehardg8r34 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 9	I am thinking i will just start over with a different tank. Thanks for the help. I think it will be too much for me to get this accomplished since I dont want to spend the time redoing it and it still not work.

01/29/2018, 04:22 PM	#10
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	not without first removing all the old (existing) silicone.

01/29/2018, 05:03 PM	#11
diehardg8r34 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 9	I have removed all the sealant from inside the tank but do I need to remove it from where it was put together at the joint or just take it all the way apart? Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to avoid buying another tank.

01/29/2018, 07:14 PM	#13
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	ALL OLD silicone must be removed. It will leak if you try to seal over the silicone in the joints. I know, it seems like it will not leak if you do a good job, but trust me on this, within a month (if not immediately) it will begin to leak.

01/30/2018, 08:26 AM	#16
hearttx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 75	There are a few videos on YouTube to give you an idea of what you would be in for if you start the job. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk