Equipment Review and Discussion :: Any tips for re-siliconing a tank?

[Starchick]

Napoleon's six month old tank has sprung a leak. I found the spot where the silicone failed (could actually see it sucking in bubbles from the outside!) and I'm debating whether to fix it. From what I've heard it sounds like redoing the silicone isn't too big of a deal. Do I need to try to remove any of the old silicone, or should I just do a fresh layer over the top?

[papoopeepoo]

Scrape off as much of the old sealant as you can before you apply new silicone. This creates a much better chance of a clean seal that will last longer.

[Rubicon]

What size tank?

[mike hill]

S- chick -- If you have found where it is leaking you have half the battle won. Use 100% silicone and when you get the old silicone cleaned out where you are going to repair it, clean that area off with alcohol and let dry. Apply silicone and let dry according to instructions. Good Luck! m.

[Chrisbarnett]

Yup, lots and lots of sharp razor blades, rubbing alcohol, and paper towels.

Masking tape helps as well to get a perfectly straight and nice looking bead of silicone. Just put them on either side of the area you want to seal and then you can put the silicon in. Peel away when done.

[Dreamen]

Ditto on what they said. I just re siliconed a 55 gal. and it was easier than what I anticipated.

All you have to do is scrape away all the sealant on the side that is leaking with a straight edge razor. After all the silicone is scrapped off, clean the glass really well with rubbing alcohol/acetone and paper towels. Then let it dry...some say over night, but I did my tank on a warm day so I just waited a couple of hours. Then place a 1/4" bead of 100% silicone sealant. (I used the 100% Silicone Ace brand from Ace Hardware, but some have used GE Silicone I with no problems.) Then smooth out the sealant with you index finger. Let it sit for at least 24 hrs or so...and thats it.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Here is a really good set of illustrated instructions: http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=11713.

[PcBuilder14]

Well, when I re-siliconed my 55,
1. Cleaned it out completely.
2. Scrape off all the silicone you can with razor blades, putty knifes, pocket knifes to make sure you got it all.
3. Clean it all completely with rubbing alchohol
4. Put masking tape about 1/2-1 inch from the edges (Optional)
5. put silicone down and smooth with index finger. It takes at least a week to tack up.
After I did that there was a small spot tha leaked, so I just put a butt-load of silicone in that area and it has worked since! LOL!
It's pretty easy.