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Last night i noticed the tank leaking- from the bottom.
I tore down the tank, and cleaned it up- and found the problem- the bottom seal is going bad here there and everywhere. I know that the whole seal needs replaced- But how do I go about it. Can someone walk me threw this in baby steps?? Thanks alot!

In the long term it will leak again no matter what you do.

I will keep repeating this there is no permiment guranteed way to repair a tank. This infomation is from Glaziers and a commercial tank maker.

I saw the tank maker toss out a basically new tank out because it leaked (it was mine) it was not worth the effort to repair as the whole tank had to be pulled down and cleaned and there would still be no gurantee it would not happen again as it had been used.

My 4ft tank leaked and caused several thousand $$ worth of damage insurance covered it all. But that is not the point the insurance wanted it repaired but again no glazier would do and gurantee the job.

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Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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Way to instill confidence keith!!

I've resealed tanks, and it's pretty easy to do if you have the basic tools and are careful.

If you've drained the tank and dried and cleaned it, it's time to get to work. You have to work in a well ventilated area so the fumes from the silicone don't build up, as they're harmful to your health. Since you want to do the entire seal, you'll have to do it in stages over a few days so the whole bottom doesn't fall apart and you end up with a pile of shards.

Get the tank on a flat, level surface and break out a new/sharp razor blade (be careful not to cut yourself!!) and take out the seal from one side of the tank. Get as much silicone off as you can with the razor (don't cut yourself still). Once you think you've gotten most of it, get some cotton balls and rubbing alcohol. Dip the cotton ball in the rubbing alcohol, and go ahead and scrub the glass. This is a quick drying non residue leaving solvent that should get rid of most of the silicone. Once you're sure there is no silicone left, break out your 100% GE silicone or AGA aquarium silicone ETC ETC and open the container per manufacturer instructions.

Now, with a steady hand, apply the silicone evenly having the tube at a 45 degree angle. Put on a good bead that gets both sides of the glass. Once you've gotten the bead on, you can smooth the silicone with your finger if you don't mind getting a little bit messy (just be sure to wash your hands immediately after). Now, let this sit and dry for at least 24 hours (48 is better if you have the time), and repeat the entire process for the other 3 sides. Be sure to get the corners good!!

Once all the seals have dried and the last one has had at least 48 hours to cure, bring the tank (carefully!!!!!!, don't let it twist, that's the biggest thing that breaks a seal) to a flat, level surface that you don't mind getting wet (in case somethign happens or the seal is not good) that you've already covered in newspapers. Once on the surface, start filling with water, checking for wet paper as you go.

Once it's sat full for a day or so, and the paper isn't wet, congratulations. You've just resealed your tank!

I was not trying to destroy any confidience at all. My point was that no glazier will gurantee a repaired tank.

One of the main reasons is, as the glass gets older especially in an Aquarium, where it has been subject to temperature changes, chemicals, fish waste and, water conditions. During this process the glass actually looses many of its natural properties and many of these chemicals have actually penetrated into the glass.

I did state this infomation was from Glaziers and a professsional tank maker.

I was just stating the facts as the Glazing trade sees it. If some one wants to go ahead and do repairs at least I have explained what could happen.

I have all the trade skills to do the job but I choose not to.

Finally as the glass gets older it gets far more brittle and can become very difficult to handle. Today many tanks are made of cheap grade thin glass hence more problems.

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

You could try looking at the ALL-GLASS web site. They have instructions in detail. I have looked into repairing a tank myself and found that I don't have the time or place. As for the integrity of used glass it kind of makes sense, if it were me I would get a new tank. Good luck

If it makes you feel any better I'm in the same place...my 55 the bottom seal just went kapooey back in May...since then I've run nonstop pretty much I did attempt resealing this past summer, and it didn't take perfectly I missed a spot and thus after it sat for 2 weeks I came home to another 55 gallon puddle in the middle of the living roomone of many in the past year or so Anyways if you are willing to try it, go for it...but even after a few days on the paper, I would let it set for some time and each day add a bit of gravel/substrate till you get what you want inside it

Best of luck, there is no guarantee, but heck I'm not that willing to give up just yetunfortunately I'm needing some time free to do it in:%)

heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

i agree with keith, my buddy at my lfs said the same thing, he has resealed many tanks and said it is a pain to do and eventually the tank will leak. i did reseal a 55 before with no problem but it was not leaking, i did it because the tank sat a long time being unused and the seals looked bad. i know it sucks but i just had to replace my 55 this week because of a leak, in the long run a $100 tank is just worth the money for my peice of mind. i would not want to take the chance of comming home to find my house floode because i wanted to save a little money.


chris

Of course it'll leak eventually... that's a moot point. I mean, the tank's leaking now and it was sealed from the factory!! What's that say about their seal job? Sure, stuff degrades over time, but tell that to my 10 gallon tank that's 28 years old, and still holds water having been set up then broken down several times. Just because a tank springs a tiny leak that can be fixed in a few hours doesn't mean it's trash. Even if you're not confident in doing DIY stuff resealing the tank, chances are you know someone who would be able to do it, or you can use it as a reptile tank.

Most LFS's will tell you to buy a new tank, it's a chance for a sale. And i'm sure you're going to tell me the person who told you not to bother sealing the tank is a good buddy and wouldn't fool you. Good for him.

I've never had a problem sealing tanks, and you shouldn't either if you take the time to prepare your surface, and work on a stable, flat platform.

Situation has changed dramatically in the past few days, due to an ailing parent- we'll be moving cross country to take care of them.

Im looking for homes for the fishies,as i wont have room at first for my tanks.

Thanks everyone.

sorry to hear that, good luck to your familly.

and yes fallout, this is my buddy that i have know for 20 years. it's not the fact that it can't be done but for me i would not want the risk, the darn tanks scare me know.

chris

Last edited by chris1017 at 29-Oct-2005 20:38