Does this silicone look OK?

pikachusalad · 05/13/2007, 08:03 PM

How do I tell if my silicone is OK?

Ignoring everything else....does this look "bad"?

pikachusalad · 05/13/2007, 08:17 PM

Holyreefer · 05/13/2007, 08:18 PM

If i doesn't leak i'd say its ok to go

Tang Salad · 05/13/2007, 08:37 PM

Hi Again

That looks pretty good. Small nicks and pits shouldn't be a problem. What you want to look for are areas where the silicone is seperating from the glass. From the pics, it looks like you're fine.

pikachusalad · 05/13/2007, 08:40 PM

all seams have portions up to 1/4 inch that aren't actually attached to the glass - just a flap.

Hop · 05/13/2007, 08:41 PM

Yup, From this side it looks good. As Mr. Salad said, look for separation from the glass on the other side of the tank. If everything looks good, put water in it and enjoy

frederickk · 05/14/2007, 03:07 PM

Seems pretty good to me. Did you fill it up to verify?

pikachusalad · 05/14/2007, 04:19 PM

Yeah, I had water in it for about 6 hours with newspapers under the tank and everything running to test for leaks - there were none that I noticed (no wetness on the newspapers) in that 6 hour period.

My concern is structural integrety. I posted in a different thread about the amount of distortion when looking through the water - and Tang Salad suggested that even glass aquariums have some bowing, but I should inspect the silicone seams carefully...

Being somewhat of a noob, I found myself unable to judge the quality of these seams - they're not pristine, some are chewed up and all less clear (more milky) than those on my 20 gal for instance...so I figured I'd ask here...

Thanks for the responses!

motlot77 · 05/14/2007, 04:25 PM

mine are that way too, with some larger strips missing.

silicone is really strong. as long as it's not separating i'd say you're ok.

Roy G. Biv · 05/14/2007, 05:46 PM

If you have the time and patience. cut away all loose silicone. Use painters blue tape to tape along the corners, leaving however much space you want for the silicone. Silicone, run your finger to press in and smooth out. I think people dip thier fingers in vinegar. Peel away tape and let dry. You will have perfect edges. Thats what I would do anyway, I wouldn't want to tear down a tank in the future do to a leak I could have fixed before setting up the tank.

05/13/2007, 08:03 PM	#1
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	Does this silicone look OK? How do I tell if my silicone is OK? Ignoring everything else....does this look "bad"? __________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/13/2007, 08:17 PM	#2
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	__________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/13/2007, 08:18 PM	#3
Holyreefer Octopus Extreme 300 Skimr Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,242	If i doesn't leak i'd say its ok to go __________________ Life is what you make it, so make something out of everything you do! Current Tank Info: GYRE 150,Seaswirl 1.5, Barcuda Pump, Custom LED system, Extreme Reef Octopus 300 Protein Skimmer, 80 watt Aqua UV, Korallin BioDenitrator Nitrate, Hydor Magnum 8 Powerheads

05/13/2007, 08:37 PM	#4
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	Hi Again That looks pretty good. Small nicks and pits shouldn't be a problem. What you want to look for are areas where the silicone is seperating from the glass. From the pics, it looks like you're fine. __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

05/13/2007, 08:40 PM	#5
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	all seams have portions up to 1/4 inch that aren't actually attached to the glass - just a flap. __________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/13/2007, 08:41 PM	#6
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	Yup, From this side it looks good. As Mr. Salad said, look for separation from the glass on the other side of the tank. If everything looks good, put water in it and enjoy __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

05/14/2007, 03:07 PM	#7
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	Seems pretty good to me. Did you fill it up to verify?

05/14/2007, 04:19 PM	#8
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	Yeah, I had water in it for about 6 hours with newspapers under the tank and everything running to test for leaks - there were none that I noticed (no wetness on the newspapers) in that 6 hour period. My concern is structural integrety. I posted in a different thread about the amount of distortion when looking through the water - and Tang Salad suggested that even glass aquariums have some bowing, but I should inspect the silicone seams carefully... Being somewhat of a noob, I found myself unable to judge the quality of these seams - they're not pristine, some are chewed up and all less clear (more milky) than those on my 20 gal for instance...so I figured I'd ask here... Thanks for the responses! __________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/14/2007, 04:25 PM	#9
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	mine are that way too, with some larger strips missing. silicone is really strong. as long as it's not separating i'd say you're ok. __________________ "I don't trust or love anyone. Because people are so creepy. Creepy creepy creeps. Creeping around. Creeping here and creeping there. Creeping everywhere. Crippity crappity creepies." Current Tank Info: 25 gal tall, 2 x 65w pc, aqua c remora hob skimmer, fluval for flow and carbon

05/14/2007, 05:46 PM	#10
Roy G. Biv Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,646	If you have the time and patience. cut away all loose silicone. Use painters blue tape to tape along the corners, leaving however much space you want for the silicone. Silicone, run your finger to press in and smooth out. I think people dip thier fingers in vinegar. Peel away tape and let dry. You will have perfect edges. Thats what I would do anyway, I wouldn't want to tear down a tank in the future do to a leak I could have fixed before setting up the tank.