Internal Seals on Aquarium Question

TomTheWicked · 10/20/2015, 06:40 AM

So I picked up a 90G on Craigslist and noticed the "internal" seals (I don't know their proper name, sorry) look a little worse for wear, but the previous owner said it has no leaks (I've yet to leak test). The "structural" seals look in really good shape; no bubbles or anything.

Two questions:
1.) Do they look okay to you guys as long as it doesn't leak?
2.) Would it be a pain to redo the inner seals if they're no good?

Dkuhlmann · 10/20/2015, 06:57 AM

It appears that you mean the silicone that attaches and seals the glass together. I personally wouldn't touch it and chances are it's going to be just fine. Those edges that you're looking at are probably from the glass scrapper while cleaning the glass.

toothybugs · 10/20/2015, 07:58 AM

I picked up a 10yr old 75 from a buddy and it was in similar shape. The glass-to-glass seals are great but the internals were shot to crap. I (easily) cut them out with a razor and taped off either side and reapplied a bead. If not for the subtle scratches here and there the tank looks brand new.

ca1ore · 10/20/2015, 08:13 AM

It's purely an aesthetic issue. It's a common misunderstanding (according to a tank-builder friend of mine) that the bead of silicone inside the corners is a 'seal', It's not. If a tank leaks, then the structural silicone between the panels is compromised and the thing must be disassembled and re-siliconed.

MelloW33 · 10/20/2015, 08:23 AM

I'm with toothybugs...cut them in a straight line with a razor blade and reapply an even bead. That's if you're good with applying silicone/caulk.

nuttyd · 10/20/2015, 08:57 AM

Like everyone else says, cut and reapply a bead. use clear, easier to work with. Black you see every mistake and it wont match the glass to glass joint

TomTheWicked · 10/20/2015, 09:08 AM

Very cool...Thanks for all the help guys. I'll probably cut and reseal them...Thanks again!

toothybugs · 10/20/2015, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomTheWicked

Very cool...Thanks for all the help guys. I'll probably cut and reseal them...Thanks again!

Be EXTREMELY careful not to cut in to the seals between the glass. And clean the area well before reapplying silicone. Taping helps keep your edges tidy when you roll out the bead with your finger (or other) but be sure to rip it up right after applying the silicone so it doesn't get glued in and mess up your edges after the glue has cured.

SaltBeast · 10/20/2015, 11:21 AM

+1 To cut and re-silicone. Its very easy to do. Use vinegar to clean it before reapplying the Silicone. Be sure to allow it cure AT LEAST 24 hours before adding water. If you aren't aware, use GE Silicone I. It doesn't have mold inhibitors, which would be harmful to the tank.

SaltBeast · 10/20/2015, 11:25 AM

On the other hand, the seals look perfectly fine other than the rough edges. I'd be confident in leaving them as is, as well. However, if you want them to look pretty and have that "I FIXED IT!" feeling, as well as knowing that it has a good deal, redo the Silicone.

TomTheWicked · 10/20/2015, 01:18 PM

Thanks everyone for the feedback...I'm inclined to redo them since future cleanings will likely make the rough edges worse, and will also likely result in little silicone pieces breaking off.

I'll do it this weekend and post the results...Thanks again guys!

SaltBeast · 10/26/2015, 09:35 AM

Did you get it done?

TomTheWicked · 10/27/2015, 06:16 PM

Not yet...things got busy this passed weekend...I'll give some pics as soon as I get it done.

10/20/2015, 06:57 AM	#2
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	It appears that you mean the silicone that attaches and seals the glass together. I personally wouldn't touch it and chances are it's going to be just fine. Those edges that you're looking at are probably from the glass scrapper while cleaning the glass. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

10/20/2015, 08:13 AM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	It's purely an aesthetic issue. It's a common misunderstanding (according to a tank-builder friend of mine) that the bead of silicone inside the corners is a 'seal', It's not. If a tank leaks, then the structural silicone between the panels is compromised and the thing must be disassembled and re-siliconed. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/20/2015, 08:23 AM	#5
MelloW33 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 591	I'm with toothybugs...cut them in a straight line with a razor blade and reapply an even bead. That's if you're good with applying silicone/caulk. __________________ Mark

10/20/2015, 09:08 AM	#7
TomTheWicked Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Frednecksburg, VA Posts: 170	Very cool...Thanks for all the help guys. I'll probably cut and reseal them...Thanks again! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is" Current Tank Info: 40B w/20G sump, custom stand

10/20/2015, 01:18 PM	#11
TomTheWicked Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Frednecksburg, VA Posts: 170	Thanks everyone for the feedback...I'm inclined to redo them since future cleanings will likely make the rough edges worse, and will also likely result in little silicone pieces breaking off. I'll do it this weekend and post the results...Thanks again guys! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is" Current Tank Info: 40B w/20G sump, custom stand

10/20/2015, 07:58 AM	#3
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	I picked up a 10yr old 75 from a buddy and it was in similar shape. The glass-to-glass seals are great but the internals were shot to crap. I (easily) cut them out with a razor and taped off either side and reapplied a bead. If not for the subtle scratches here and there the tank looks brand new.

10/20/2015, 08:57 AM	#6
nuttyd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Coral Gables Posts: 520	Like everyone else says, cut and reapply a bead. use clear, easier to work with. Black you see every mistake and it wont match the glass to glass joint

10/20/2015, 11:21 AM	#9
SaltBeast Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 31	+1 To cut and re-silicone. Its very easy to do. Use vinegar to clean it before reapplying the Silicone. Be sure to allow it cure AT LEAST 24 hours before adding water. If you aren't aware, use GE Silicone I. It doesn't have mold inhibitors, which would be harmful to the tank.

10/20/2015, 11:25 AM	#10
SaltBeast Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 31	On the other hand, the seals look perfectly fine other than the rough edges. I'd be confident in leaving them as is, as well. However, if you want them to look pretty and have that "I FIXED IT!" feeling, as well as knowing that it has a good deal, redo the Silicone.

10/26/2015, 09:35 AM	#12
SaltBeast Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 31	Did you get it done?

10/27/2015, 06:16 PM	#13
TomTheWicked Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Frednecksburg, VA Posts: 170	Not yet...things got busy this passed weekend...I'll give some pics as soon as I get it done. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is" Current Tank Info: 40B w/20G sump, custom stand