Dry tank - silicone OK?

[Manta1]

Hi guys

I have a tank thats been empty for 2 years - will this be OK if refilled? (Silicone work was of high standard when bought)

TIA

 

[Ben1]

IMO 2 years dry isnt worth the risk. Just use razors and clean up all the old silicon and then clean the glass with acetone. After its very clean/dry resilicone with 100% pure silicone. Let it cure for 72 hours and then fill it.

 

[Manta1]

Thanx for reply Ben, sounds like good advice but thing is it cost a lot when new due to the high quality finish - I'd hate to screw up the re-siliconing job. Thats the dilemma I spose - don't want a burst

 

[Ben1]

IME, silicone is silicone. That shouldnt make it more expensive? Beveled edges, euro-bracing, starfire glass are the things that make a tank expensive. Just scrap it off and after you re do it use your finger to make a nice looking seam. Then use razors blades to take away the un-even edges.

I did my 150 as it sat dry for a few years and was happy I did it.

 

[ChrisRD]

You can also use masking tape for neat edges. Apply tape neatly (parallel) on both sides of the joint, apply silicone, smooth silicone bead with finger, tear off tape before silicone gets tacky. The last step is important. If you wait, you'll have a mess.

 

[Manta1]

Great advice guys, thanx, time to get to work.

 

[dizzy]

If the tank has been stored indoors I wouldn't mess with it. I'd fill it up and see if it still holds ok. I believe freeze thaw and leaving the tank in the sun would make the silicone let go or deteriorate, but storing dry should not. Remember silicone has many more uses than just aquarium making and many of them are above the water-line. Don't mess up a perfectly good silicone job for no reason.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry Dizzy I disagree. I did something similar with a 10 gallon that had sat empty stored in a basement for a year. I filled it up and let it sit to see if the seams would hold for 72 hours. They did.

But when I emptied it, put the added weight of the rocks and substate and then filled it up with water again, whammo the bottom seam leaked.