Resealing an older tank

BFro · 09/08/2011, 10:07 PM

Couldn't figure out exactly where to put this post. But anyway... I just picked up a used Oceanic 150 gallon tank with cherry colored oak stand. I got an insane deal. So good I hate to say how much I paid for it. Now, its definitely an older tank but in very decent condition. Only thing I'm worried about is that it has been a while since it has held water. The seals still feel soft and pliable, they're pretty clean still too, but with such a big, heavy duty tank I feel like maybe I should have it resealed...? I don't know if I want to undertake this process myself. Its a big tank, and I feel that a lot can go wrong pretty quick. So I don't think I should start practicing on this particular setup. So that brings me to my question: Does anyone of a place/person/company in the Chicagoland aread (specifically the SW Burbs) that will come and reseal the tank? If so, please share. Also, what could I expect to pay? Thanks in advance for any input.

shaginwagon13 · 09/08/2011, 11:42 PM

I remember seeing a couple thread on this forum where people would repair and reseal their own tanks you can do a search for it and I'm sure you will be able to read about how to go about doing it if you wanna attempt it on your own.

In my opinion I would get a professional to do it unless your very confident in your DIY abilities and have some experience working with silicon. You have to apply the silicon in a certain way to minimize the amount of air bubbles that get trapped in the silicon between the two panels of glass. Also, if you get a professional to do it they might include some sort of warranty.

Uncle Salty 05 · 09/09/2011, 07:22 AM

Fill it with water and check for leaks after 48 hours.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Ron Reefman · 09/09/2011, 07:25 AM

If the old silicone is still soft and looks OK, I'd set it up outside and fill it with water. That's what I did with the old 180g tank I bought. I let it sit with water for 2 weeks. Now it's been in the house for a year. BTW, I took the bottom plastic frame off. It was a 4 part frame cut at the corners so there was no structural concerns. The frame parts were held on with silicone too and it took me an hour with a SHARP putty knife and a hammer to cut it off. Old silicone holds. But this is just my experience, your's may start to leak and flood your house! Good luck.

BFro · 09/09/2011, 01:48 PM

Thanks for the bit of input. I'm just nervous. I've never had a tank this big and you always hear the horrow stories about people comning home to find themselves flooded out by a leaky giant tank. I guess I just gotta go for it.... I'm nervous.

Uncle Salty 05 · 09/09/2011, 01:54 PM

My 180 is over 16 years old and I think there is a guy on here whose tank is over 30 years old.
Unless the tank has been horribly mishandled you should be fine.
When you do your leak test outside make sure the tank is sitting on a smooth level surface.

billdogg · 09/09/2011, 02:11 PM

My 60g was made in 1992 - been up and running the whole time. My 150 is from about 1990 - up until 2000, then out in the garage on end until I finished the basement - about 6 or 7 years - now it's down in the basement and running just fine. My 120 I got used from the LFS I worked at - got it in the late 1980's - it was old then. Still up and running.

All the tanks have the original silicone - as mentioned above - if it ain't broke - Don't fix it!!!

b0bab0ey · 09/09/2011, 02:51 PM

The tank I'm currently using is a 20+ y/o 58g Oceanic. It's been torn down, re-setup, left outside for years in-between, etc. You've got one thing going for you - Oceanic - best damn aquariums EVER made, period.

BFro · 09/09/2011, 04:46 PM

Those are definitely some extra boosts in the confidence area. I have a feeling this tank is probably from the 70 or 80s. The labels on the light ballasts are old as hell. And they're about 10lbs a piece and thick metal. New ones are super cheap and thin. As I'm cleaning it up now. It doesn't look as bad as I thought. Little bit of yellow scum on some of the silicon beads, but otherwise really pliable and soft.

BFro · 09/09/2011, 05:03 PM

And not to hijack my own thread, but if someone might be able to offer me some guidance in converting my old 55gal tank into a sump or refugium, and how I would get that running on my tank without drilling the glass, I would be appreciative. I'm pretty knowledgable on my freshwater setup, but I'm kinda stumbling along getting my feet inside the door with this saltwater business.

Agu · 09/09/2011, 08:41 PM

There are hang on back siphon overflows available that allow you to use a sump with a tank that isn't drilled.

The DIY forum has plenty of threads about converting a tank into a sump with dividers and sections for various equipment.

09/08/2011, 10:07 PM	#1
BFro Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 8	Resealing an older tank Couldn't figure out exactly where to put this post. But anyway... I just picked up a used Oceanic 150 gallon tank with cherry colored oak stand. I got an insane deal. So good I hate to say how much I paid for it. Now, its definitely an older tank but in very decent condition. Only thing I'm worried about is that it has been a while since it has held water. The seals still feel soft and pliable, they're pretty clean still too, but with such a big, heavy duty tank I feel like maybe I should have it resealed...? I don't know if I want to undertake this process myself. Its a big tank, and I feel that a lot can go wrong pretty quick. So I don't think I should start practicing on this particular setup. So that brings me to my question: Does anyone of a place/person/company in the Chicagoland aread (specifically the SW Burbs) that will come and reseal the tank? If so, please share. Also, what could I expect to pay? Thanks in advance for any input.

09/09/2011, 07:22 AM	#3
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Fill it with water and check for leaks after 48 hours. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

09/09/2011, 07:25 AM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	If the old silicone is still soft and looks OK, I'd set it up outside and fill it with water. That's what I did with the old 180g tank I bought. I let it sit with water for 2 weeks. Now it's been in the house for a year. BTW, I took the bottom plastic frame off. It was a 4 part frame cut at the corners so there was no structural concerns. The frame parts were held on with silicone too and it took me an hour with a SHARP putty knife and a hammer to cut it off. Old silicone holds. But this is just my experience, your's may start to leak and flood your house! Good luck. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

09/09/2011, 01:54 PM	#6
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	My 180 is over 16 years old and I think there is a guy on here whose tank is over 30 years old. Unless the tank has been horribly mishandled you should be fine. When you do your leak test outside make sure the tank is sitting on a smooth level surface. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

09/09/2011, 02:11 PM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	My 60g was made in 1992 - been up and running the whole time. My 150 is from about 1990 - up until 2000, then out in the garage on end until I finished the basement - about 6 or 7 years - now it's down in the basement and running just fine. My 120 I got used from the LFS I worked at - got it in the late 1980's - it was old then. Still up and running. All the tanks have the original silicone - as mentioned above - if it ain't broke - Don't fix it!!! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

09/08/2011, 11:42 PM	#2
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	I remember seeing a couple thread on this forum where people would repair and reseal their own tanks you can do a search for it and I'm sure you will be able to read about how to go about doing it if you wanna attempt it on your own. In my opinion I would get a professional to do it unless your very confident in your DIY abilities and have some experience working with silicon. You have to apply the silicon in a certain way to minimize the amount of air bubbles that get trapped in the silicon between the two panels of glass. Also, if you get a professional to do it they might include some sort of warranty.

09/09/2011, 01:48 PM	#5
BFro Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 8	Thanks for the bit of input. I'm just nervous. I've never had a tank this big and you always hear the horrow stories about people comning home to find themselves flooded out by a leaky giant tank. I guess I just gotta go for it.... I'm nervous.

09/09/2011, 02:51 PM	#8
b0bab0ey Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,564	The tank I'm currently using is a 20+ y/o 58g Oceanic. It's been torn down, re-setup, left outside for years in-between, etc. You've got one thing going for you - Oceanic - best damn aquariums *EVER* made, period.

09/09/2011, 04:46 PM	#9
BFro Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 8	Those are definitely some extra boosts in the confidence area. I have a feeling this tank is probably from the 70 or 80s. The labels on the light ballasts are old as hell. And they're about 10lbs a piece and thick metal. New ones are super cheap and thin. As I'm cleaning it up now. It doesn't look as bad as I thought. Little bit of yellow scum on some of the silicon beads, but otherwise really pliable and soft.

09/09/2011, 05:03 PM	#10
BFro Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 8	And not to hijack my own thread, but if someone might be able to offer me some guidance in converting my old 55gal tank into a sump or refugium, and how I would get that running on my tank without drilling the glass, I would be appreciative. I'm pretty knowledgable on my freshwater setup, but I'm kinda stumbling along getting my feet inside the door with this saltwater business.

09/09/2011, 08:41 PM	#11
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	There are hang on back siphon overflows available that allow you to use a sump with a tank that isn't drilled. The DIY forum has plenty of threads about converting a tank into a sump with dividers and sections for various equipment. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

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