Repairing silicone after a tank has been sitting.

[Ben1]

My 150 was sitting under my proch for 1 1/2 years and the silicone on the edges is all dried up and cracked. Should I scatch it all off and put down fresh silicone?

TIA

 

[Anonymous]

Yes I would - even then I would be hesitant to trust it right off.

 

[Ben1]

The tank is empty so I can do anything I have to. What should I do?

If not just silicone then what?

Thanks,

 

[Ostavanger]

The silicone should be allowed to rest for atleast two weeks after you have applied it.
Make sure that you clean it well before aplying and to get a nice finish use masking tape to mark the outline apply the silicone spray it with soapwater then dip your finger in the soapwater and smooth out the silicone with your finger.
Afterwards remove the tape let it set for 24 hours and wash away the soap make sure you rinse the tank very thorougly afterwards.

Please excuse my bad english and grammar I'm norwegian

 

[Ben1]

You english is as good as mine!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Anonymous]

one point that I don't think has been made is that silicone will not bond to itself

SO use a razor blade to cut out all the old, then clean with acetone. the surface must be perfectly clean.

I did this with a 20, worked fine, although I did fill it on the front porch first just to check for leaks

Bryan

 

[Ben1]

Good points everybody!

Is the silicone the only thing that holds the glass together or is there anouther glue used when making the tank?

This is my 150 so I want to make sure it is done right.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

If its Glass, then just the silicone

acrylic tanks normally don't use silicone

Bryan

 

[Anonymous]

How long does a tank have to be dry before I have to worry about the silicone going bad? Two months in a garage shouldn't ruin it right?

 

[Anonymous]

I would say not, they are stored longer than that before selling in a lot of lfs's

Bryan

 

[Ben1]

Mine had been sitting quite some time before I used it, under my deck. The silicone had turned white (not that clearish white) and peeled off by rubbing it with my finger.

I used a razor and got rid of all the silicone going up the walls. Then cleaned it with acetone. After the panel was clean and dry I put down the new silicone.

I didnt do anything for the silicone bonding the panels this doesnt seem as dry. Do you think this is a fine tank to use in two weeks? Or would you cut the whole tank apart and reseal it?