Silicone repair?

[reslawski1]

That is true I’m actually just going to take it apart and reseal it it’s not worth any damages or losses at this point and I have more than enough time to deal with this, and I have my own LLC helping people with aquariums so I feel like I’m obligated to know how to properly take an aquarium apart and put it back together again without any issues. Also I’ve got king of DIY on my side so I think I’ll be alright

A full rebuild is a very demanding job!

The primary issues you’ll run into are the likes of glass weight: I can’t tell if the tank is 1/2”, or 3/4” thick glass… the former would be a bit shy of 100lbs per-long pane, the latter would be well over 100lbs-per…

You get 10-20mins (depending on silicone) to actually assemble the entire tank less top plastic rim… the silicone skins over fairly quickly and makes a mess if “tooled”…

The glass has to be immaculately clean, completely and totally free of old silicone… the pros actually use 99%+ anhydrous isopropyl alcohol for final glass prep, specifically so no water gets left behind…

If the panes are pressed too tightly together or too loose/far apart, you can end up with a structurally compromised seam… also, the top plastic rim still has to fit over the four panes… (the plastic rim is nearly impossible to remove without damaging it; replacements are sold, but they are to exact dimensions… if your tank is even 1/4” longer or shorter; the replacement rim won’t fit!)

Silicone choice is another factor; you will need multiple tubes of whichever type you pick! (I personally prefer clear silicone, purely because it allows you to check your work, and thoroughly inspect your structural seams over time! (Black silicone hides defects and early warning signs prior to seam failure!)

Ok do you recommend I should do this or not? I was going to use acetone to remove all of the silicone and make sure everything is absolutely clean, and yes I understand I was just going to thoroughly clean the trims I already have and reattach them with more silicone. What do you recommend I do?

 

[reslawski1]

That is true I’m actually just going to take it apart and reseal it it’s not worth any damages or losses at this point and I have more than enough time to deal with this, and I have my own LLC helping people with aquariums so I feel like I’m obligated to know how to properly take an aquarium apart and put it back together again without any issues. Also I’ve got king of DIY on my side so I think I’ll be alright

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[UncommonSense]

Ok do you recommend I should do this or not? I was going to use acetone to remove all of the silicone and make sure everything is absolutely clean, and yes I understand I was just going to thoroughly clean the trims I already have and reattach them with more silicone. What do you recommend I do?

Unless you have some firsthand experience working with glass and silicone, particularly assembling aquariums from panes of glass; I think a 180G is getting in over your head as a first-time project!

I don’t think I would attempt one, and I have actually built a few smaller aquariums from scratch!

— there are several dead build threads around here wherein the OP did something like cut a large 150G+ rimless tank they purchased used down to glass panes to transport it home more easily, intending to reassemble… the reassembly never ends up happening…

 

[reslawski1]

Ok do you recommend I should do this or not? I was going to use acetone to remove all of the silicone and make sure everything is absolutely clean, and yes I understand I was just going to thoroughly clean the trims I already have and reattach them with more silicone. What do you recommend I do?

Unless you have some firsthand experience working with glass and silicone, particularly assembling aquariums from panes of glass; I think a 180G is getting in over your head as a first-time project!

I don’t think I would attempt one, and I have actually built a few smaller aquariums from scratch!

— there are several dead build threads around here wherein the OP did something like cut a large 150G+ rimless tank they purchased used down to glass panes to transport it home more easily, intending to reassemble… the reassembly never ends up happening…

Oh lol no this would be my second time doing a project like this and I am very familiar with silicone, I’ve built a few Refugiums out of base aquariums with Refugium kits so I do have an idea of how this is going to go and have no underestimation on how much of a pain in the a** this is going to be lol but this is for my fish and corals and I absolutely love them all so I think it will be 100% worth it regardless how may times I have to do it over if I have to

 

[UncommonSense]

Oh lol no this would be my second time doing a project like this and I am very familiar with silicone, I’ve built a few Refugiums out of base aquariums with Refugium kits so I do have an idea of how this is going to go and have no underestimation on how much of a pain in the a** this is going to be lol but this is for my fish and corals and I absolutely love them all so I think it will be 100% worth it regardless how may times I have to do it over if I have to

First-step would be making a very precise jig that fits the inside of the tank, against all four vertical panes!

— this sets the silicone seam thickness, and holds the panes square/plumb at a dimension where the top rim can still fit on!

Also, if using acetone for any final prep, it needs to be of very high purity… the hardware store stuff these days will leave a film on the glass, and your silicone will not stick well to this film… (don’t ask me how I know!) — I prefer high proof isopropyl alcohol for final glass prep, ideally 99%+ anhydrous!