75g AGA rebuild question

rc1626 · 01/22/2007, 06:36 PM

So I cracked the back panel of my tank while drilling a hole. First cracked tank with about a dozen holes under my belt. Can't even come close to say how mad I was. I have a new panel on order from a local glass shop.

Anyways, I have the tank partly disassembled and noticed that all the vertical joints have round spacers placed at the top and bottom of the joint. They look and feel like silicone themselves and are about 1/16 in thickness. I noticed them after I pulled the frames off. When parting the joint I destroyed them and was wondering if I need them in the resiliconing process. I'm assuming I do as they must take part in the strength of the joint. I would like to get some new ones but wouldn't know the first place to look for them. Any suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Rob

rc1626 · 01/23/2007, 02:28 PM

Bump > Anyone?

My feeling is the spacers are used to keep a gap between the two glass panels so all the silicone is not pushed out on assembly.

But what to use and where to find?

Thanks!

amike5 · 01/23/2007, 03:43 PM

The spacers are probably there to allow the silicone to enter between the panes. Look in Home Depot or somewhere similar, in the ceramic tile area (shower tiles). You may be able to find tile spacers, which are shaped in a cross (made of silicone and easy to cut). I believe they come anywhere from 1/16" to 1/4". If you can't find any, since it's just a spacer, anything with the same thickness should work as well. Good luck.

Icefire · 01/23/2007, 05:17 PM

I don't think you need them, normally you just put the silicone on the edge and clamp it tight.

amike5 · 01/23/2007, 05:57 PM

If it had a spacer in it to begin with, keep it spaced. Most smaller tanks have no spacers, but my 95 gallon has about 1/16" of silicone between the panes.

01/22/2007, 06:36 PM	#1
rc1626 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 451	75g AGA rebuild question So I cracked the back panel of my tank while drilling a hole. First cracked tank with about a dozen holes under my belt. Can't even come close to say how mad I was. I have a new panel on order from a local glass shop. Anyways, I have the tank partly disassembled and noticed that all the vertical joints have round spacers placed at the top and bottom of the joint. They look and feel like silicone themselves and are about 1/16 in thickness. I noticed them after I pulled the frames off. When parting the joint I destroyed them and was wondering if I need them in the resiliconing process. I'm assuming I do as they must take part in the strength of the joint. I would like to get some new ones but wouldn't know the first place to look for them. Any suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rob

01/23/2007, 05:17 PM	#4
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	I don't think you need them, normally you just put the silicone on the edge and clamp it tight. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

01/23/2007, 02:28 PM	#2
rc1626 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 451	Bump > Anyone? My feeling is the spacers are used to keep a gap between the two glass panels so all the silicone is not pushed out on assembly. But what to use and where to find? Thanks!

01/23/2007, 03:43 PM	#3
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	The spacers are probably there to allow the silicone to enter between the panes. Look in Home Depot or somewhere similar, in the ceramic tile area (shower tiles). You may be able to find tile spacers, which are shaped in a cross (made of silicone and easy to cut). I believe they come anywhere from 1/16" to 1/4". If you can't find any, since it's just a spacer, anything with the same thickness should work as well. Good luck.

01/23/2007, 05:57 PM	#5
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	If it had a spacer in it to begin with, keep it spaced. Most smaller tanks have no spacers, but my 95 gallon has about 1/16" of silicone between the panes.