repairing bottom seam in my DAS tank

WestTxReefer · 02/27/2010, 07:38 AM

ok so i tried the DIY forum and got no hits, so im going to post this here. I bought a DAS tank back in December and I'm just now getting it set up. I built a foam/rock wall and put about another 100 lbs of rock in there. I'm waiting on the sand, as im going to order it from a guy out of Florida. Anyway..... I filled the tank ( took WAY too many days with my 75gpd unit), it took about 280 gallons to fill the tank and the sump. The tank is a 265 gallon DAS tank, custom built in Waxahachie Tx. I spoke to one of my fellow reefers here in town, and he said that all DAS tanks have this bottom seam, and they dont use a solid pane of glass on their tanks. After a few days of sitting there, i looked under the stand to check plumbing and for leaks and whatnot. I noticed some water dripping from the opening in the stand, around the overflow bulk heads. At first I thought it was a bulkhead leaking, but that wasnt the case. I have a window right behind the tank, so i opened it and took a look at the back of the tank, and sure enough it was leaking from the top of the stand, just above the center brace in the back. I ended up draining the tank ( which also took forever lol), this is when i saw where the leak was coming from. It is coming from the bottom seam that runs from the front pane of glass to the back pane. I called my buddy again and asked him what he thought, and if this could easily be repaired ( it is just silicone after all). He told me to strip the silicone running along the top of the seam, all the way down to where it was smooth with the glass, and place a piece of glass that runs the lenght of the seam and silicone the crap out of it, and make sure it hangs over about 6-8" on each side of the seam. Is this correct, or is there another way to do this, without tearing all the silicone off and rebuilding the tank. I do know that old silicone and new silicone dont really like to bond to each other so that is why I am asking. Any help would be appreciated guys/gals.

Thanks,

WTR

VacavilleFC3S · 02/27/2010, 11:40 AM

your friend is correct. don't have *** it.

i dunno if i'd trust it even then, i'd have a professional reseal the whole tank

Shane Hoffman · 02/27/2010, 01:03 PM

The money that will be invested in a fully stocke 265 gallon tank will runt into the thousands as time goes on. I would definately have a professional make the repair. I would maybe even have the whole tank re sealed pending on its age.

WestTxReefer · 02/28/2010, 12:04 AM

well i would definitely love to have a prof. come and clean it, tear it down, re-silicone it and put it all back together with a nice little warranty on their work.... but there arent any in west texas lol. If anyone knows of someone who would come and do it, ill pay for it, but i want the warranty lol

02/27/2010, 07:38 AM	#1
WestTxReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: odessa, Tx Posts: 221	repairing bottom seam in my DAS tank ok so i tried the DIY forum and got no hits, so im going to post this here. I bought a DAS tank back in December and I'm just now getting it set up. I built a foam/rock wall and put about another 100 lbs of rock in there. I'm waiting on the sand, as im going to order it from a guy out of Florida. Anyway..... I filled the tank ( took WAY too many days with my 75gpd unit), it took about 280 gallons to fill the tank and the sump. The tank is a 265 gallon DAS tank, custom built in Waxahachie Tx. I spoke to one of my fellow reefers here in town, and he said that all DAS tanks have this bottom seam, and they dont use a solid pane of glass on their tanks. After a few days of sitting there, i looked under the stand to check plumbing and for leaks and whatnot. I noticed some water dripping from the opening in the stand, around the overflow bulk heads. At first I thought it was a bulkhead leaking, but that wasnt the case. I have a window right behind the tank, so i opened it and took a look at the back of the tank, and sure enough it was leaking from the top of the stand, just above the center brace in the back. I ended up draining the tank ( which also took forever lol), this is when i saw where the leak was coming from. It is coming from the bottom seam that runs from the front pane of glass to the back pane. I called my buddy again and asked him what he thought, and if this could easily be repaired ( it is just silicone after all). He told me to strip the silicone running along the top of the seam, all the way down to where it was smooth with the glass, and place a piece of glass that runs the lenght of the seam and silicone the crap out of it, and make sure it hangs over about 6-8" on each side of the seam. Is this correct, or is there another way to do this, without tearing all the silicone off and rebuilding the tank. I do know that old silicone and new silicone dont really like to bond to each other so that is why I am asking. Any help would be appreciated guys/gals. Thanks, WTR __________________ tacos? did someone say tacos? Current Tank Info: 150 DD Marineland, upcoming shallow reef tank

02/27/2010, 01:03 PM	#3
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	The money that will be invested in a fully stocke 265 gallon tank will runt into the thousands as time goes on. I would definately have a professional make the repair. I would maybe even have the whole tank re sealed pending on its age. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

02/28/2010, 12:04 AM	#4
WestTxReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: odessa, Tx Posts: 221	well i would definitely love to have a prof. come and clean it, tear it down, re-silicone it and put it all back together with a nice little warranty on their work.... but there arent any in west texas lol. If anyone knows of someone who would come and do it, ill pay for it, but i want the warranty lol __________________ tacos? did someone say tacos? Current Tank Info: 150 DD Marineland, upcoming shallow reef tank

02/27/2010, 11:40 AM	#2
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	your friend is correct. don't have *** it. i dunno if i'd trust it even then, i'd have a professional reseal the whole tank