Removing A Jewel Box Filter

[Thomas 2507]

after having my Jewel something-or-other aquarium for over a year (and gained another three in the process) it's time for a change. i have decided to remove the box filter that came with the aquarium to replace it with an external one.

easier said than done! the box is siliconed to the glass and it's not budging.

what's the easiest and safest way to remove the bloody thing without destroying my aquarium?

there is nothing in the tank because the inhabitants have all been moved.

 

[Esfa]

i just wiggled mine and tugged gently at if for a few mins, and the whole thing came away lol

 

[Davo86]

a good strong stanley knife did the trick for me,

 

[BigC]

Heat a long knife (like bread knife) cut through the upper most silicone blob and pry the box away slightly to cut the other seals.
Once out, take a stanley knife blade and carefully scrape the silicone from the tank walls.
Regards
BigC

 

[Thomas 2507]

i did try a bit of tugging but it didn't work and i didn't want to tug too hard incase the glass came off with it! i'll try the heated knife/stanley knife idea later today and let you know how it went.

 

[Esfa]

i did try a bit of tugging but it didn't work and i didn't want to tug too hard incase the glass came off with it! i'll try the heated knife/stanley knife idea later today and let you know how it went.

goodluck!

 

[Thomas 2507]

okay, i had a go with the idea suggested. i managed to get six of the silicone blobs apart but there's two at the back that just aren't budging! i keep tugging, although i'm scared to tug too hard incase the aquarium comes apart because every time i tug it sort of creaks.

any ideas? i've tried putting a knife down there to cut the last two but it's hard to get a knife round the back and at the bottom let alone exert enough force to cut through silicone.

 

[Bloo]

Are you using a Stanley knife with extended blade? Just try and slide it in from the bottom side - instead of bottom top. Make sense?

 

[Thomas 2507]

oh yeah, good idea. i'll have a go.

 

[Thomas 2507]

yes! did it. thanks to everyone who helped.

 

[Bloo]

Fab & yeah to new filter!

 

[CentricOregon]

Heat a long knife (like bread knife) cut through the upper most silicone blob and pry the box away slightly to cut the other seals.
Once out, take a stanley knife blade and carefully scrape the silicone from the tank walls.
Regards
BigC

yeah thats how i got mine off, got a bread knife and started sawing carefully at the silicone.