How long did your big tank diy reseal last?

[mrpontiac80]

So I’m curious on the tanks that have been “resealed”. By cutting out and cleaning the inside tank seams while leaving the panes of glass adhered together, how long did it last?
im especially interested in the bigger tanks over 100 gallons. They hold so much more water and therefore have more pressure on the seams.

 

[HankstankXXL750]

So I’m curious on the tanks that have been “resealed”. By cutting out and cleaning the inside tank seams while leaving the panes of glass adhered together, how long did it last?
im especially interested in the bigger tanks over 100 gallons. They hold so much more water and therefore have more pressure on the seams.

I would have to say that I had 2 125g tanks and 1 150 that I cut out and replaced the silicone in the late 80’s to early 90’s. I used those tanks with no problems for roughly 10 years with no problems. I was planning to set them up again, but lost them in a barn fire, so started from scratch with new Red Sea aquariums.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I would have to say that I had 2 125g tanks and 1 150 that I cut out and replaced the silicone in the late 80’s to early 90’s. I used those tanks with no problems for roughly 10 years with no problems. I was planning to set them up again, but lost them in a barn fire, so started from scratch with new Red Sea aquariums.

This can get tricky, Because the Silicone's in the 80's/90's probably had different formulations back then. but now with EPA, CARB, etc. is the silicone as good?
So the ? of how long can it last, the data points should take this into accounting.

 

[mrpontiac80]

This can get tricky, Because the Silicone's in the 80's/90's probably had different formulations back then. but now with EPA, CARB, etc. is the silicone as good?
So the ? of how long can it last, the data points should take this into accounting.

Never thought about that aspect but I get it for sure.

 

[mfinn]

I guess it really depends on the reason to put in a new inner layer of silicone.
If it's just to replace ugly silicone that's chipped up from scaping the inside of the tank and you don't damage the seal between the panes of glass. It could last years.
But if you are trying to re-seal a leaker, then it's not going to work long term.
New silicone doesn't bond like it needs to to the old silicone. You may fill the gap where water is leaking through, but the water will find a way to push past it.
I've seen this happen many times over several decades in the hobby and it always seems to end up the same.
My last experience with this was when my 240 started leaking on the bottom seam.
I knew it was toast then. I offered it up on FB as a reptile tank, free to anyone.
A person came and got it and was told by several people on FB that it could be fixed. I warned her.
She got it and had some ( experienced reefers ) people help her re-seal it.
Filled it, had it full of fish and corals. Then on Sunday morning I got the call from her in a panic. The small drip leaks had now turned into a 4" long split in the seal on the bottom and water was pouring out.

 

[Cory]

I never resealed the edges of the silicone but did a complete tank tear apart and resilcone the glass panels together. The tank lasted 8 months before a glass panel cracked on my 220 gallon. I think it was my fault because i probably didn't make all the glass panels perfectly strait and alighned. However not a drop of water came out of the crack (which was vertical) fortunately! I think it was a miracle lol. But as far as the silicone, i think it may have started to separate nesr the top slightly. The tank was 30" tall. Even a small drop of leftover silicone on the glass could mean silicone didn't stick.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I just got my used 180 delivered by my lfs this morning. They did a 48 hr water test before bringing it and all is good but you can tell it has been resealed once before. Previous owner moved from out of state and decided he did not want to set it back up. He swore it has never leaked but that’s all the info I have. That’s the reason for this poll.

 

[mrpontiac80]

So I thought I’d update this post with pictures of the tank and give it a bump. See what you guys think. Sometimes I think it looks legit and then I feel like it might have been resealed but I have no way of knowing.
The best I can tell with google and pictures online I’m guessing it might be a marineland tank. The glass is 1/2 in thick.. or more exact is about 7/16. If it is a marineland tank I could see the silicone maybe looking factory??? It’s not super smooth and I’m not sure how they are when new.
I bought the whole setup though for $1500 and I feel like even if the tank is not something I use, I’m happy with the price. Everything seems to work. It held water at lfs for 48 hrs. What are your opinions on the tank seals? I’m really curious cause I’m stressing over it.
here’s a picture dump.

 

[mfinn]

I just got my used 180 delivered by my lfs this morning. They did a 48 hr water test before bringing it and all is good but you can tell it has been resealed once before. Previous owner moved from out of state and decided he did not want to set it back up. He swore it has never leaked but that’s all the info I have. That’s the reason for this poll.

I guess it comes down to how much you trust the person who you got it from when he said it never leaked.
Unless you see evidence it there was a leak, you could trust him.
IMO some of the pictures looks like new silicone was just layered over the old to try and improve the appearance.
I've seen that before. As long as it wasn't an attempt to hide a leak, it could last.
Some of it looks a little rough. I'm sure that's not factory.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I guess it comes down to how much you trust the person who you got it from when he said it never leaked.
Unless you see evidence it there was a leak, you could trust him.
IMO some of the pictures looks like new silicone was just layered over the old to try and improve the appearance.
I've seen that before. As long as it wasn't an attempt to hide a leak, it could last.
Some of it looks a little rough. I'm sure that's not factory.

I appreciate the thoughts on it. Does not help my stress over it though lol