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well i need to reseal a tank. no idea where the leak is coming from cos it is so tiny i cant find it but there is one there. or so the wet paper and towels keep telling me.
never done this before so if you guys could tell me how that would be cool. its just a small 18 inch tank. nothing in it atm but i may aswell do it while i have the time.

18 inch tank? How many gallons is that? If it were me, and it is only like a 10 gallon or so, I'd just stash it away for some other use later, and get another oneI resealed, well tried to anyways my 55 gallon and after a week and a half found out that well, it didn't hold]:|that's right after holding water for a week and a half, I walked into my apartment to find I didn't need to mop that week, well needed to suck up water, but mop?

Now if you so choose to go and reseal, you will need silicone, get the GE Silicone 1, it is cheaper than the actual aquarium sealant, and is the same thing Get a razor blade, rubbing alcohol, clean, dry washrag, and patience

You are going to need to get the tank where you can get to each and every section inside and out...and the tank won't be able to be moved for 48 hrs after resealing it]:|so in the middle of the livingroom floor won't do...

Can you pinpoint at least a side of the tank that it is coming from? If so great, if not, start cussing now, it will help]:|

You will need remove all the sealant from said side of the tank that the leak is on, I'd attack the bottom first, and remove all of the old seal...then go and remove the seal 4-6 inches up each side (you'll remove the rest later). then you will simply follow the directions on sealant (I found using my fingers easiest to make sure that it is packed into the edges and corners, but be warned this stuff does not come off of your fingers or hands easily at all]:|) When this is dried, you will remove the rest on the sides, I'd do one side at a time and reseal it, then the other...Oh before applying the sealant, use the rubbing alcohol on the washrag and rub/wipe the glass down before applying the silicone, or it won't get a good seal

Best of luck, go ahead and start yelling and cussing it, might as well, I did, and still give my stupid tank evil looks when I walk by it]:|

heidi

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

heidi
dad (whoes a ceremic engineer) says removing all o the existing sealint can cause structual damage to the tank and lead to catastrofic failure and a big mess! but of cuase removng some is a good idea but only small amounts

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i would only remove at most what is marked out in red

Last edited by victa_fish at 20-Jul-2005 19:31[/font]

lifeofcrimeguy

The only way to do it properly is remove all the old "Sealant" and replace it with a good Aquarium safe Silicone. By the time you do all this and there is still no gurantee it will work especially if it an older tank.

In the long term it will be cheaper to go and buy a new tank.

Do some price checking incomparison to the Silicone and a gun that is if you dont have one all ready

Keith

Last edited by keithgh at 20-Jul-2005 22:26

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victa fish, no i hope i didn't come across saying to remove it allat least not in one sittingI'd do bits at a time, but eventually it will all have to be removed...and if you do it slow and steady, and patiently you'll be fine...hml

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

houston
i thought you meant colpetely undoing the joints:%)
silly me

No problem...if it came across as that someone needed to clear it up...taking the whole thing apart at once would be a nightmare, and would be like building your own tankand that is a terrifying thought to meheidi

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