How do I properly reseal a 250 gallon aquarium

[Ty nilsson]

I recently broke down my 250 gallon reef tank pictured anyone know how to properly reseal this aquarium I have black 100% rtv silicone from seachem and take like I have seen in many threads and photos but I am still worried it will leak afterwards any advice would be greatly appreciated! ~Ty

 

[blaxsun]

Here's a good starting point. I've seen umpteen tank videos where they first tape everything off, silicon and then use a proper tool to get a nice bead. There are a ton of videos on YouTube that have other tips as well.

 

[Matt Carden]

My advice, don't do it!

This comes from personal experience. Buy a new tank or pay someone to do it for you.

 

[Celestion]

If the inner seal looks old in any way , the tank should 100% torn apart (very dangerous) (professional handy folks only) if you want real reliability....

 

[AydenLincoln]

As others have said don’t do it…it’s a bad idea and will eventually crack/leak again with all the pressure and weight.

 

[mfinn]

If by re-sealing, you mean it leaks now?
If that's the case, just adding a new inner seal will not work. I've seen people attempt this many times over the years and I don't remember anyone succeeding. To get a tank that is leaking now, resealed, it should be taken apart completely and rebuilt with all new silicone.
If you are just trying to clean up a crappy looking inner seal for cosmetic reasons , I've done it a couple times. When I did it I didn't completely remove all of the inner seal. IMO too great of a chance to damage the real tank seal.
Just tape it all off and re-apply silicone.

 

[Ty nilsson]

I have watched some videos and attempted it and so I started by ripping all the old silicone out then cleaning up with alcohol and taping it up then resealing it it looks really good almost factory looking seals now I just hope it holds water. Guess I’ll find out Sunday

 

[Celestion]

I'd wait 7 days

 

[BZOFIQ]

At this volume, I just wouldn't sleep at night.

Get this professionally re-done if glass is in good condition or order a new tank.

 

[mfinn]

I have watched some videos and attempted it and so I started by ripping all the old silicone out then cleaning up with alcohol and taping it up then resealing it it looks really good almost factory looking seals now I just hope it holds water. Guess I’ll find out Sunday

Was the tank leaking before?

 

[nereefpat]

I still don't understand. Was it leaking before?

so I started by ripping all the old silicone out

Just the corner cosmetic seal, yes?

 

[Big Smelly fish]

I have watched some videos and attempted it and so I started by ripping all the old silicone out then cleaning up with alcohol and taping it up then resealing it it looks really good almost factory looking seals now I just hope it holds water. Guess I’ll find out Sunday

I haven’t done that large of tank before but have resealed a good number of tanks. It sounds like you are doing it correctly. Clean all the old silicon, I use alcohol to clean any residue, tape and then apply silicone. Once started complete the jobs . I just use my finger to smooth out. You have to work at a decent pace so you don’t get clumps. Then pull tape off right away before it sets.

 

[RichReef]

The only silicone that matters is the area between the glass panes. If it wasn't leaking anything you do is cosmetic. If your tank was leaking I would replace it. It takes a lot of patience, the right tools, silicone and jigs to do it right. I'm not saying it can't be done but it's a risk.

If you are just going to put in a new bead around the seams because it was peeling or your scraper hit a few too many times go for it. I would avoid all chemicals. I wouldn't want those contacting the silicone between the panes. Like I mentioned that is the only silicone that matters.

Replacing the bead isn't really a reseal.

 

[Bparrott]

I’m in the exact same positions with a 150 was leaking in the center of the front pane. I have zero fear of the work it isn’t as bad as some are making it out but I just want be sure and use the correct adhesive as it’s not just regular silicone it’s a non toxic 100% rtv and it’s fairly expensive.