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	Sealing A Bulkhead Hole
ImRandy85 Enthusiast Bleeding Blue Posts: 254 Kudos: 137 Votes: 75 Registered: 19-Dec-2006	I have an opportunity to buy some cheap 40 gallon tanks but all of them are drilled with a 1 1/4" hole either in the end or in the bottom. Is there a good way to seal these up to use as fish tanks? The only thing I could think of was a square piece of glass siliconed over the hole on the inside of the tank.
Posted 07-Aug-2007 23:32
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, That is what I'd do. Be sure to throughly clean the glass and prep it for the silicone. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 08-Aug-2007 01:32
Joe Potato Fish Addict Kind of a Big Deal Posts: 869 Votes: 309 Registered: 09-Jan-2001	Edited by Joe Potato Just to be safe, you might want to add one to the outside too. Never can be too careful when you have the potential to have 40 gallons of water hit the floor! Joe Potato Edit: Of course, I just realized that if it gets through the first one, the water pressure would probably just pop the second one right off. Still, though, you can convince yourself it might help.
Posted 08-Aug-2007 02:09
ImRandy85 Enthusiast Bleeding Blue Posts: 254 Kudos: 137 Votes: 75 Registered: 19-Dec-2006	Edited by ImRandy85 Is there anything special I could clean the glass with? Would vinegar be a good idea? Would a hole in the side or one in the bottom be less likely to leak?
Posted 08-Aug-2007 02:23
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	Please be carefull if the tanks are old no matter what you do the silicone will not give you a good seal for a length of time. If they are new a good sized square piece of glass on the inside should do. As far as cleaning all you can do is clean the surface only if it is not clear or distorted I would not even think of taking them even if they were free or they paid me to take them away. As far as either side or bottom there is no basic difference the only thing would be the seal could be seen from the side. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos 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
Posted 08-Aug-2007 06:10
catdancer Big Fish Mad Scientist Posts: 471 Kudos: 138 Votes: 13 Registered: 15-Apr-2007	Use alcohol to clean the glass - apply with a thin tissue and rub until you hear a squishing sound, continue for a minute or two. This treatment will erase any fatty material that will interfere with the silicone. Make sure you apply a piece of glass that covers the hole generously and apply the silicone all around.
Posted 08-Aug-2007 06:41
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	Acetone
Posted 09-Aug-2007 01:09
poisonwaffle Mega Fish Posts: 1397 Kudos: 591 Registered: 11-Feb-2003	I wouldn't trust old tanks... especially ones with holes that need sealing. There are many things that could go wrong with them--leaky seals on the edges, leaky seals on your patches, and weak glass/frame. I'd personally strip down the tanks, cut them up, and use the glass for baffles (in sumps) or for tops for tanks...
Posted 17-Aug-2007 07:27


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