[liz_marguerite]

i've got a 55g tank that has a pretty significant leak. only problem is that i have NO IDEA where the leak is!! the water drips from the middle brace underneath the tank and when i'm filling it, i can't tell where its coming from! this used to be an iguana tank...i got it for super cheap. some of the silicone had been chewed out so i tore that section out and resealed it. now, my tank still leaks and i just want to tear out all the sealant and start fresh.

my plan of action so far is to use a razor blade to scrape all the old stuff out completely. then i'm going to clean it with rubbing alcohol. then i'll reseal it with aquarium sealant. let sit for 24-48 hours and fill.

to keep the sealant even and neat, i'm going to use a spoon to smooth everything out.
does anyone have any suggestions or comments? am i missing anything vital to my plan?
any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ironmolly]

I resealed a 55 and that's pretty much what I did. The sealant certainly didn't look quite as neat as factory sealed, but it didn't leak! I let it sit for 48 hours. Mine was accumulating under the center, like yours. I was pretty sure I knew which seal was leaking, but I resealed them all just to be sure. Aquarium sealant is pretty forgiving, really. You'll be fine. :)

[baygentst]

I resealed my 55G that i got for $15. Heres how i did it,

1. Take a razor blade and trim all the old silicon out. Be sure to not cut into the primary seal (this is the silicon that glues the panes together).
2. With all the old silicon out take a vacuum and clean out all the old silicone from the tank in preparation to clean and reseal.

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/images/articles/Reseal_Cut.jpg

3. Take rubbing alcohol and clean everywhere that the new silicon is going to be placed. I did this with a plain white rag or towels, carefully cleaning all the old silicon out and cleaning all surfaces that silicon will be placed. This is a very important step to ensure a good seal.

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/images/articles/Reseal_Clean.jpg

4. Now take tape and carefully outline about 1/4" all around the perimeter where the silicon will be laid.

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/images/articles/Reseal_Tape.jpg

5. With the outline complete you can start to seal with silicon from your caulking gun. Start at the bottom seams and carefully lay an even and consistent bead Add an extra bit in the corners. You can use a little rubbing alcohol to smooth the silicon (or a spoon I guess, as you suggested).

6. When your happy with the bottom move to the sides and repeat.

7. When you are happy with the whole tank remove the tape quickly before the silicon has a chance to dry much or it can pull up your seal.

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/images/articles/Reseal_FinishedCorner2.jpg

8. Let silicon dry and cure for 48 hours. Some say you can use in 24 but i would go for 48 just in case.

If your primary seal is bad, thats another story and requires separating the glass and starting fresh so like i said above DO NOT separate the glass unless you absolutely must.

Thanks,
Tom

This post has been edited by baygentst: 01 January 2009 - 12:27 PM

[SnowBabe24]

Nice pics, and instructions. That's a lot better than those stupid pictures with the, Insert part A into part B with an arrow turning to the left things! lol

That should be pinned for all those DIY people wanting to reseal a tank!

This post has been edited by SnowBabe24: 01 January 2009 - 12:42 PM

[ironmolly]

Very good instructions, and way neater than mine, with using the tape! I agree it should be pinned somewhere.

[koko]

*

[liz_marguerite]

well, i have to report...i gave up on resealing that tank. i dont have the patience nor the attention span. i made a complete mess of it...so i bought a new tank. it was on sale for a good price so i'm selling the old one to someone with more skill. lol.

baygentst - thank you for the excellent instructions. i cant imagine what it would have turned out like if i hadnt had those!