resealing of a tank
- Thread starter Duval125
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If your talking about resealing the glass panels, then you need to take the tank apart, and put it all back together sealing it that way.
The bead of silicone thats used on the inside of the tank, that is just a sanity bead, thats not water makes the tank water tight. The silicone inbetween the glass panels that bonds the glass together is what makes the tank water proof.
The bead of silicone thats used on the inside of the tank, that is just a sanity bead, thats not water makes the tank water tight. The silicone inbetween the glass panels that bonds the glass together is what makes the tank water proof.
+1
Why I asked if it leaked:
Have you ever pulled silicon off glass? As I remember, it can kind of peel off like tape. Thus, if a tank leaks, I would think the silicone has become disbonded from the glass, and that this would affect the structural integrity of the tank. If by “re-sealing” you mean applying fresh silicon over the top of existing silicone, even though this may stop the leak, this may not repair any disbondment. In fact, over time I suspect it may worsen as pressure would still be being applied. The new, softer and more pliable silicone may stretch and prevent leaking, but the older, harder less pliable silicone may continue to disbond and lead to catastrophic failure.
If the tank leaks, it may be best to disassemble the tank, clean the seams and re-build the tank from scratch. If it does not leak, then "re-sealing" may just be added protection I guess, but I suspect it will not enhance nor repair the structural integrity of the tank.
Why I asked if it leaked:
Have you ever pulled silicon off glass? As I remember, it can kind of peel off like tape. Thus, if a tank leaks, I would think the silicone has become disbonded from the glass, and that this would affect the structural integrity of the tank. If by “re-sealing” you mean applying fresh silicon over the top of existing silicone, even though this may stop the leak, this may not repair any disbondment. In fact, over time I suspect it may worsen as pressure would still be being applied. The new, softer and more pliable silicone may stretch and prevent leaking, but the older, harder less pliable silicone may continue to disbond and lead to catastrophic failure.
If the tank leaks, it may be best to disassemble the tank, clean the seams and re-build the tank from scratch. If it does not leak, then "re-sealing" may just be added protection I guess, but I suspect it will not enhance nor repair the structural integrity of the tank.
Hey @ReefingMadness - Let's say it doesn't leak. Could one cut the bead out, careful not to damage the film of silicon between glass surfaces -the part that's doing all the work - and apply a new clean fillet of silicon just to clean it up, just for aesthetic reasons?
Also, how much does the plastic trim contribute to the integrity of the tank? Is it aesthetic, mostly?
Also, how much does the plastic trim contribute to the integrity of the tank? Is it aesthetic, mostly?
Yea you could cut away the bead along the glass without issues, and apply a new looking bead. I've got a 240g tank, no visible bead of silicone on the outside of the glass.
The plastic trim that comes with most all tanks is an integral part of the tank, it keep it from bowing, and eventually pulling apart.
The plastic trim that comes with most all tanks is an integral part of the tank, it keep it from bowing, and eventually pulling apart.
philfree
Active Member
With that said, do you feel rimless tanks have a shorter... um... "lifespan"?
The manufacture of my own rimless said they use a thicker glass for non-euro braced, truly rimless tanks. Of course this is by-design. Making your own rimless tank by removing trim is surely another thing. 
I've never done it myself @Duval125, but by masking and using a dowel that will give you the fillet width you want, I suspect you can get a very clean look relatively easily. I like the look of black silicon.
Of course I suspect black silicon is like sin; it'll jump through six feet of thin air to get to a clean white shirt!
There is a guy in our local club who may have experience, and be willing to work with ya. PM me for his contact info.
Of course I suspect black silicon is like sin; it'll jump through six feet of thin air to get to a clean white shirt!
There is a guy in our local club who may have experience, and be willing to work with ya. PM me for his contact info.
Yes. I'll have to let others more experienced than I comment, but I suspect that it will need to be dismantled and reassembled, if it's to be trusted at all.
Yes, you'd need to pull the bottom pane off and resilicone the entire bottom piece back on.
spllbnd2
Active Member
If it is leaking from aany seam, from my experience you will need to dismaintle the tank and reseal completely for a good sound seal. New silicone doesn't stick to old silicone very well in my experience.
Cheers,
Alex
Cheers,
Alex
Gotta remove the old silicone, clean really well, then resilicone. Piece of cake.
Reefrookie220
Valuable Member
I sold you the tank and it wasn't leaking. It may have been stress from the move. You gather up the materials and I'll help. I wanna keep you happy with it. I had recently applied fresh silicone so idk. We can get together and figure it out.
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