Capital Exotic Fish

To Seal or Not to Seal???

Rasta Fish

Rasta Fish

CCA Members
So i just bought a 180 gallon tank looks like its in perfect condition
the seal is soft to the touch and no sign of dry rot.
This tank has been sitting in the guys basement for 2 years dry.
I know it will hold water, but i am uneasy about just filling it up and go with it, i have never really seal a big tank like this one, I buy some aquarium sealant and i want to reseal it just to have a piece of mind.
Any suggestions?
Should i reseal it?
Do i need to strip the current seal off or seal on top if it?
..I know its recommended to do this..
Would like to start this maybe tonight or tomorrow pending on some reassuring advise for you out there.
Thanks in advance
 
Rasta Fish

Rasta Fish

CCA Members
I dont have a garage but i can fill a little at a time a see
I think it will hold
what if i just add more sealant on whats already there will that reinforce it and hold up
i just dont want to go scraping and digging into what already looks strong enough and mess it up
I was just thinking of cleaning with alcohol and add some more sealant
 
Hawkman2000

Hawkman2000

Members
I don't know if its true for aquariums, but in other applications, applying silicone or caulk on top of existing can make it much worse.

Also, if you are going to remove the frame, you might as well take the tank completely apart. The seal is the strongest were the flat edges of the glass meet. I have seen (and had (29)) tanks up to 125 gallons withe the inner bead completely removed and never leak.
 
T

toddnbecka

Members
A glass tank with a silicone seal won't go bad from sitting dry fr a couple years. The old metal frame tanks with slate bottoms are the ones that have that problem.
 
D

dlfn1

Members
i've resealed a 40 breeder.
if u are at all worried, i would just go ahead and reseal it.

u have to remove the old seal prior to applying the new.
use a razor blade, it comes off pretty easy. i didn't reseal the top where the plastic rim is.
after removing the old silicone, wipe the glass with rubbing alcohol. this cleans the glass and also makes it easy to feel if you missed some of the old seal. use gauze pads or something that won't leave lint. i read in numerous places conflicting info on whether you could use the ge II silicone. you need one that does not have fungicides or bactericides added. calling ge, they said the ge II silicone does have them. after some research and reading other forums, i ended up using momentive RTV 100 series adhesive. i got it from grainger off rt28 near dulles airport, though i'm sure they have many locations. if you can't find the one that says '100 series', you can use the RTV 108 which is clear or the RTV 103 which is black. i bought the cartridge that goes in the caulking gun, i think it was around 12 or 15 bucks, can't remember as this was a year and a half ago. way cheaper than buying the aquarium silicone from pet-smart/co.
 
Rasta Fish

Rasta Fish

CCA Members
this is reassuring
A glass tank with a silicone seal won't go bad from sitting dry fr a couple years. The old metal frame tanks with slate bottoms are the ones that have that problem.
Click to expand...
 
gravel_digger

gravel_digger

Members
i have removed and resealed at least 4 tanks in my current inventory. i would never put new sealant over old sealant ALWAYS remove previous sealant. its going to be some work to do it correctly but i would prefer to be safe than sorry....
 
Hawkman2000

Hawkman2000

Members
Make sure you shim the tank before you fill it. Filling a tank that size on a surface that's not true flat is a good way to crack it or break the seal.
 
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