Resiliconing A Tank

[Crazybob]

hey guys,
i have, well a couple, of fish tanks that i want to try to resilicone. the main one being a 40 gallon long, which i saw has green (which im assuming is algae)under the silicone in one of the corners. i've been doing some reading into it and i found that some people say to completely unassembled the tank and put back together with all new silicone, and others simply say to remove the inner silicone but keep the frame and structural silicone in tact. i just wanted to get an opinion from someone with a little more experience at this than i do, if i can, i would prefer to not have to completely dismantle and reassemble. i also have a 20g high and an old 75 gallon that i was thinking about doing, but i would like to make the 40 long into a nice planted display tank in my living room so i want to get that one done right.

thanks for the advice,
Crazybob

 

[chrisbassist]

check the sticky posts above, there is one about repairing tank seals, that's got all the info you need on how to do it. (just think of the silicone being broken rather than just dirty)

 

[raptorrex]

hey guys,
i have, well a couple, of fish tanks that i want to try to resilicone. the main one being a 40 gallon long, which i saw has green (which im assuming is algae)under the silicone in one of the corners. i've been doing some reading into it and i found that some people say to completely unassembled the tank and put back together with all new silicone, and others simply say to remove the inner silicone but keep the frame and structural silicone in tact. i just wanted to get an opinion from someone with a little more experience at this than i do, if i can, i would prefer to not have to completely dismantle and reassemble. i also have a 20g high and an old 75 gallon that i was thinking about doing, but i would like to make the 40 long into a nice planted display tank in my living room so i want to get that one done right.

thanks for the advice,
Crazybob

with this sort of problem, i would suggest a TOTAL re seal. new silicone does not stick, well, to old. its a case of trust. which would you trust most. old silicone with some new on top. or totally new stuff?

its a big job. but, done properly. the new seals will last 10 years.
Oh, and don't get conned into using "fishkeeping/aquarium sealant. buy one that says its safe. even from a caravan shop. lol. its all the same, as nobody makes an "aquarium" specific silicone anyway. shouldnt cost any more than £5 for 310ml tube.

 

[VickiandKev]

Everflex Aquamate by Everbuild is a very affordable silicone sealant, which comes in 310ml tubes.

I paid just over £30 for 12 x 310ml so it was much cheaper than silicone you buy from aquatics stores!