Need help: Resealing my tank

fishguy_8 · 10-17-2006, 02:55 PM

Hey guys...well I've finally had time to work on my 220 gallon hexagon tank and ive begun stripping the old seals. there was a tiny tiny leak in one corner of the tank but the seal all looked like hell so i decided I'm going to re-do the whole tank. the tank is obviously totally dry and im about done stripping out the seal. What I need to know is, can i just go to walmart and buy their silicone or is there anything that could be harmful to my tank. It says on the tube "100% silicone" so im assuming that would be ok but i wanted to check with you guys and gals first. Also, would it be beneficial for me to put tape on each side of where Ill be sealing just so that when i smooth it out, it looks like its been done neatly and not by ....well me. Any tips about sealing a tank would be greatly appreciated.
thanks alot.

Jon

wozza · 10-17-2006, 03:05 PM

220gal hex tank? WOW sounds cool!!!!

you got a pic with you or someone standing next to it ide love to see that thing i bet its MASSIVE!!!

***Reefland*** · 10-17-2006, 05:35 PM

Jon,

Be sure to get aquarium specific silicone. All Glass offers some I beleive. In fact, in the fish section at our local Wal-Mart you can purchase it. I am not sure if there is any difference in it and regular silicone but better safe than sorry.

**The R/C Man** · 10-17-2006, 10:27 PM

You need to use a non-toxic 100% silicone sealant. Use NAPA's brand, part #765-1336. It is avaiable in a tube for about $10, plenty for your project at a fraction the cost of "aquarium sealant".

reseter5 · 10-17-2006, 11:20 PM

aquarium silicone has a different chemical that it cures with... also when it dries it is mildew resistant..

**The R/C Man** · 10-18-2006, 01:05 AM

Good info!

Anyhoo, that stuff has worked good for me. I used to seal my baffles into my glass sump. They have stayed attached (roughing up the glass and cleaning with acetone) for three years now with no ill effects. This stuff has also been mentioned on other sites and it is safe.

fishguy_8 · 10-18-2006, 11:44 PM

Wooza: I'm going to get some pics soon with me standing next to it soon it is quite the beast.

Reefland/RC: Thanks for the input. Would you guys recommend putting in a real thick bead? I want to make sure this doesnt need to be done for a long long long long time. I have a tube of the aquarium silicone laying around so I'll use that up first. Any tips on making it look nice or how thick of a bead i should use? Thanks

Jon

**The R/C Man** · 10-19-2006, 12:10 AM

I just used my finger wrapped in saran wrap to smooth out the bead and to make a smooth finish. If you want to do a professional looking job then apply some painters tape about 3/8" from either side of the panel before you add the silicon. Once you have it in place and the silcon smoothed out remove the tape to reveal a nice straight line.... Wala!

fishguy_8 · 10-19-2006, 03:01 PM

that was pretty much what i was thinkin greg thanks for the input.

fishguy_8 · 10-30-2006, 09:12 PM

Well I finished sealing the tank, I couldnt get any tape to hold to the glass for some reason so i just made a bit of a mess and tomorrow i'm going to go in w/ a razor and just straighten things up a little. I found a big tube of All Glass Aquarium silicone that I used in a caulk gun so it was a breeze. Expect pictures tomorrow. There is a box in the back corner that is supposed to be used for hiding heaters and such but im not sure how to use it so Im gonna try and get some pictures so you guys can tell me how to utilize this thing.

mhender · 11-02-2006, 03:13 PM

I would be interested in seeing that tank also.....

Mark

fishguy_8 · 11-05-2006, 07:55 PM

Alright folks I have posted 2 pictures in the reefland gallery...one is titled "My 220g Project" and the other is titled "Side View"...guess what view you'll see there

I would have just posted them here but my pics were too big and i couldnt figure out how to get rid of my old pics i have posted on reefland or how to make the images smaller so if you know how to do that lemme know. And hey Mark I see you are from Coal City im just down the road from ya in the giant metropolis of Mazon so let me know if you ever need any thing im always glad to help out a local, and let me know where ya get your stuff from i know of a couple decent shops not too far from us. Let me know what ya'll think of my tank. I have 6 more pics Id like to throw on here so i can get your advice on how to use this overflow box that is on my tank(if it is infact an overflow box thats just what im calling it.) Enjoy fellas.
Jon

mhender · 11-06-2006, 11:27 AM

Great, I'll take a look at them now. So what shops are local to us that have decent pricing?

Mark

fishguy_8 · 11-06-2006, 09:20 PM

There is a shop in joliet, hobbyland, that is hit or miss. He always takes care of me because ive been going there since i got into the hobby but the water quality and such there is poor but he is a nice guy and wont try and push you into buying crap you dont need/want. If im looking for quality stuff I would run up to The living Sea which is quality place but you will pay for it....but you wont complain about the quality. I cant remember the name of the town its in but its a suburb of chicago. Or naperville has a decent shop over by the mall but they are hit or miss one time you go there and ya want everything the next time ya dont see anything, the name of the place is petland. Where do you go to for your stuff? What ya think of my newest project?

wozza · 11-07-2006, 03:39 AM

just took a look at that tank of yours, it sure is a BEAST. good luck!

10-17-2006, 02:55 PM	#1
fishguy_8 Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,205	Need help: Resealing my tank Hey guys...well I've finally had time to work on my 220 gallon hexagon tank and ive begun stripping the old seals. there was a tiny tiny leak in one corner of the tank but the seal all looked like hell so i decided I'm going to re-do the whole tank. the tank is obviously totally dry and im about done stripping out the seal. What I need to know is, can i just go to walmart and buy their silicone or is there anything that could be harmful to my tank. It says on the tube "100% silicone" so im assuming that would be ok but i wanted to check with you guys and gals first. Also, would it be beneficial for me to put tape on each side of where Ill be sealing just so that when i smooth it out, it looks like its been done neatly and not by ....well me. Any tips about sealing a tank would be greatly appreciated. thanks alot. Jon

10-17-2006, 03:05 PM	#2
wozza Mayor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: uk, devon Posts: 886	220gal hex tank? WOW sounds cool!!!! you got a pic with you or someone standing next to it ide love to see that thing i bet its MASSIVE!!! __________________ Betta lifespace 16lts OH YEAH!!!! going live in sept

10-17-2006, 05:35 PM	#3
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,044	Jon, Be sure to get aquarium specific silicone. All Glass offers some I beleive. In fact, in the fish section at our local Wal-Mart you can purchase it. I am not sure if there is any difference in it and regular silicone but better safe than sorry. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

10-17-2006, 10:27 PM	#4
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 729	You need to use a non-toxic 100% silicone sealant. Use NAPA's brand, part #765-1336. It is avaiable in a tube for about $10, plenty for your project at a fraction the cost of "aquarium sealant". __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

10-18-2006, 01:05 AM	#6
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 729	Good info! Anyhoo, that stuff has worked good for me. I used to seal my baffles into my glass sump. They have stayed attached (roughing up the glass and cleaning with acetone) for three years now with no ill effects. This stuff has also been mentioned on other sites and it is safe. __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

10-17-2006, 11:20 PM	#5
reseter5 Tenant Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 89	aquarium silicone has a different chemical that it cures with... also when it dries it is mildew resistant..

10-18-2006, 11:44 PM	#7
fishguy_8 Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,205	Wooza: I'm going to get some pics soon with me standing next to it soon it is quite the beast. Reefland/RC: Thanks for the input. Would you guys recommend putting in a real thick bead? I want to make sure this doesnt need to be done for a long long long long time. I have a tube of the aquarium silicone laying around so I'll use that up first. Any tips on making it look nice or how thick of a bead i should use? Thanks Jon

10-19-2006, 12:10 AM	#8
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 729	I just used my finger wrapped in saran wrap to smooth out the bead and to make a smooth finish. If you want to do a professional looking job then apply some painters tape about 3/8" from either side of the panel before you add the silicon. Once you have it in place and the silcon smoothed out remove the tape to reveal a nice straight line.... Wala! __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

10-19-2006, 03:01 PM	#9
fishguy_8 Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,205	that was pretty much what i was thinkin greg thanks for the input.

10-30-2006, 09:12 PM	#10
fishguy_8 Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,205	Well I finished sealing the tank, I couldnt get any tape to hold to the glass for some reason so i just made a bit of a mess and tomorrow i'm going to go in w/ a razor and just straighten things up a little. I found a big tube of All Glass Aquarium silicone that I used in a caulk gun so it was a breeze. Expect pictures tomorrow. There is a box in the back corner that is supposed to be used for hiding heaters and such but im not sure how to use it so Im gonna try and get some pictures so you guys can tell me how to utilize this thing.

11-02-2006, 03:13 PM	#11
mhender Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Coal City Posts: 39	Pictures I would be interested in seeing that tank also..... Mark

11-05-2006, 07:55 PM	#12
fishguy_8 Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,205	Alright folks I have posted 2 pictures in the reefland gallery...one is titled "My 220g Project" and the other is titled "Side View"...guess what view you'll see there I would have just posted them here but my pics were too big and i couldnt figure out how to get rid of my old pics i have posted on reefland or how to make the images smaller so if you know how to do that lemme know. And hey Mark I see you are from Coal City im just down the road from ya in the giant metropolis of Mazon so let me know if you ever need any thing im always glad to help out a local, and let me know where ya get your stuff from i know of a couple decent shops not too far from us. Let me know what ya'll think of my tank. I have 6 more pics Id like to throw on here so i can get your advice on how to use this overflow box that is on my tank(if it is infact an overflow box thats just what im calling it.) Enjoy fellas. Jon

11-06-2006, 11:27 AM	#13
mhender Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Coal City Posts: 39	Great, I'll take a look at them now. So what shops are local to us that have decent pricing? Mark

11-06-2006, 09:20 PM	#14
fishguy_8 Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,205	There is a shop in joliet, hobbyland, that is hit or miss. He always takes care of me because ive been going there since i got into the hobby but the water quality and such there is poor but he is a nice guy and wont try and push you into buying crap you dont need/want. If im looking for quality stuff I would run up to The living Sea which is quality place but you will pay for it....but you wont complain about the quality. I cant remember the name of the town its in but its a suburb of chicago. Or naperville has a decent shop over by the mall but they are hit or miss one time you go there and ya want everything the next time ya dont see anything, the name of the place is petland. Where do you go to for your stuff? What ya think of my newest project?

11-07-2006, 03:39 AM	#15
wozza Mayor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: uk, devon Posts: 886	just took a look at that tank of yours, it sure is a BEAST. good luck! __________________ Betta lifespace 16lts OH YEAH!!!! going live in sept

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