Adding Silicone to NEW tank, leak prevention

[viceversabrd]

Hey guys new back to reefing after a 15 year hiatus. Has been worrisome seeing all these tank failures researching the past few weeks, I've reviewed hundreds of tanks made spreadsheets, the works. Ended up settling on a Waterbox 2420 as it has the exact dimensions Im looking for, and is basically just an empty glass box that I can either drill or and an AIO divider (haven't decided yet). Was curious are there any negative effects if I essentially broaden/beef up the bottom bead of silicone with a fresh coat of ASI clear silicone over top the existing bead. I realize it won't bond to the existing silicone but I would go past the existing bead 1/4 inch and there would be glass to silicone bonding. My logic is 50% of seam failures seem to occur at a bottom seam, it seems like easy insurance to me to double that silicone bead up before getting the tank wet. It doesn't have to be pretty being the bottom seams, covered by substrate and all, just has to be beefy. Now, unless there is something I am missing? Sound like a good idea? My concern is I could be causing an unforeseen issue by not leaving good enough alone but every angle I look at it from extra silicone seems like a good idea.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Well, in truth it seems only one manufacturer has seam issues, and the one you bought isn’t that one. If you want to beef up your tank, you can do so by adding euro bracing at the bottom and even the top. it would be much stronger than just silicone. You can get some glass strips cut to size at your local glass shop for cheap.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hey guys new back to reefing after a 15 year hiatus. Has been worrisome seeing all these tank failures researching the past few weeks, I've reviewed hundreds of tanks made spreadsheets, the works. Ended up settling on a Waterbox 2420 as it has the exact dimensions Im looking for, and is basically just an empty glass box that I can either drill or and an AIO divider (haven't decided yet). Was curious are there any negative effects if I essentially broaden/beef up the bottom bead of silicone with a fresh coat of ASI clear silicone over top the existing bead. I realize it won't bond to the existing silicone but I would go past the existing bead 1/4 inch and there would be glass to silicone bonding. My logic is 50% of seam failures seem to occur at a bottom seam, it seems like easy insurance to me to double that silicone bead up before getting the tank wet. It doesn't have to be pretty being the bottom seams, covered by substrate and all, just has to be beefy. Now, unless there is something I am missing? Sound like a good idea? My concern is I could be causing an unforeseen issue by not leaving good enough alone but every angle I look at it from extra silicone seems like a good idea.

The problems you have read about are due to design flaws and poor quality material in one particular brand.

I would't mess with a new tank from another manufacturer which has had no problems

 

[AydenLincoln]

I love my Waterbox and this brand is not known to have issues. I would not touch the seams and both drilling and touching the seams will void the warranty.

 

[wyokid49]

Well, in truth it seems only one manufacturer has seam issues, and the one you bought isn’t that one. If you want to beef up your tank, you can do so by adding euro bracing at the bottom and even the top. it would be much stronger than just silicone. You can get some glass strips cut to size at your local glass shop for cheap.