HELP! How do I re-seal a tank?

girlina4x4

girlina4x4

Member
Just got my 65 gallon this morning. We go to take it out of the car and notice a leak (tank still had some leftover water). Picture one of the fake wood plastic trims around the bottom. The water is coming up through there in the front right corner. Seems to be the only leak...
HELP!
 
robertmathern

robertmathern

Active Member
I assume its a glass tank. What you will have to do is remove the selicone bead on the bottom witch is a pita but a razor blade and alot of patince you can remove it than just go the the hdepot they have aquarium sealicone. It will be by the spray paint where all the other sealicone. I would do the hole tank though if you have a leak now you can fix it but whos to say it wont leak somewhere else after it is set up. If you reseal the whole tank you wont have to worry.
 
robertmathern

robertmathern

Active Member
It is highly recomended to let sit sit for 24 hrs. Also when you add the new sealicone try to make it as smooth as possible. Tp prevent any possible leaks in the future
 
liljay0418

liljay0418

Member
+ 1 on what robert said. I answered your question about leak on other post. oops
I think I am losing it. lol.............
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
If it is an old used tank, you can't just remove one bead of silicone. Old silicone and new silicone will not adhere very well to each others surface.
Not only do you have to get rid of just the bottom seam, but also the four seems running up the top and around the top rim.
Use a razor blade- but the easiest thing to do is to get a razor blade holder. It's a handle with a razor that you can attach to it. It's much easier to work with and you have less of a chance of cutting yourself.
After you are done using the razor, don't just look at how clean it is, but make sure that you have no oils coming from your skin onto the surface that you are fixing to silicone. I would use some cotton cloth or cotton balls to wipe the surface with some alcohol to make absolutely sure of this.
Use some painters tape on either side of the seems, just incase you don't spread it evenly. Do NOT keep the tape on there but only for about 1hr. If you leave it on there for any longer then that, it is a pain to get off.
When you come to a corner of the aquarium, use an extra dab of silicone. This makes a better seal.
Anyways, if you have any other questions, PM me and I'll try to help.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
By the way, you can wait 24 hours before filling it up, but I would NOT recommend it. Silicone that has not dried properly will not be as strong and adhesive under pressure. I recommend setting it up and letting a fan blow on it for at least 48 to 72 hours before checking for leaks.
Another thing, when working with silicone - the stuff is very smelly - and it will give you headaches and make your lungs hurt - so work in a very well ventilated area - preferably outside when the wind is blowing.
Good luck and have fun!
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
The first thing you have to do when fixing a fish tank is work out where the leak is coming from. If the leak is slight this may be difficult. Leaks generally occur round the seals that join each piece of the aquarium glass. The seal is a form of water resistant glue but like all glues it loses it's strength over time and holes or cracks may occur. This is where you should look first. Run your fingers over the silicon and feel for dampness or wet. This is your leak. And remember that there may be more than one leak as the glue will wear out at roughly the same time.
If the leak is not on the sealant areas but is a crack in the glass you are probably wise to get a new fish tank or panel because there is not much that can be done about cracked glass. Sooner or later the crack will spread and before you know it there will be a really big wet patch on your carpet.
Once you have determined where the leak is then you can seal it. Sealing a leaking fish tank is quite straightforward. You need to get some good water resistant glue. There will be a large variety at the local hardware store but I would start at the fish store to begin with. If they do sell sealant it will no doubt be aimed at fixing fish tanks but will also be designed to not pollute the water within the tank.
allow it to dry out. Some sealants will not set adequately on a wet surface. If you have hardware type sealant that is not made for fish tanks then apply the glue to the outside of the tank only. If the sealant is approved by your fish store then you can apply it to both sides. Ultimately this will give it more durability and strength but you should also be concerned for the safety of the fish.
Once you have given the glue time to set then you can test the seal by filling the tank with water
 
robertmathern

robertmathern

Active Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2882871
By the way, you can wait 24 hours before filling it up, but I would NOT recommend it. Silicone that has not dried properly will not be as strong and adhesive under pressure. I recommend setting it up and letting a fan blow on it for at least 48 to 72 hours before checking for leaks.
Another thing, when working with silicone - the stuff is very smelly - and it will give you headaches and make your lungs hurt - so work in a very well ventilated area - preferably outside when the wind is blowing.
Good luck and have fun!
Sorry I have to call you on this snakeblitz but if you fallow the manufactuers instrucions. it states but a 1/4'' bead and then smoothen out. Let cure for 24 hrs. Now I agree the longer you wait the better but if you dont put 10000 lbs of sealicone on there it will be fully cured in 24 hrs. Now the rest of it about a well ventilatted area is 100% on the money. Unless you are like me and breath the stuff all day long at work and are used to it. You will get headaches and such. It is some nasty smelling stuff while it cures.
 
robertmathern

robertmathern

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2882876
The first thing you have to do when fixing a fish tank is work out where the leak is coming from. If the leak is slight this may be difficult. Leaks generally occur round the seals that join each piece of the aquarium glass. The seal is a form of water resistant glue but like all glues it loses it's strength over time and holes or cracks may occur. This is where you should look first. Run your fingers over the silicon and feel for dampness or wet. This is your leak. And remember that there may be more than one leak as the glue will wear out at roughly the same time.
If the leak is not on the sealant areas but is a crack in the glass you are probably wise to get a new fish tank or panel because there is not much that can be done about cracked glass. Sooner or later the crack will spread and before you know it there will be a really big wet patch on your carpet.
Once you have determined where the leak is then you can seal it. Sealing a leaking fish tank is quite straightforward. You need to get some good water resistant glue. There will be a large variety at the local hardware store but I would start at the fish store to begin with. If they do sell sealant it will no doubt be aimed at fixing fish tanks but will also be designed to not pollute the water within the tank.
allow it to dry out. Some sealants will not set adequately on a wet surface. If you have hardware type sealant that is not made for fish tanks then apply the glue to the outside of the tank only. If the sealant is approved by your fish store then you can apply it to both sides. Ultimately this will give it more durability and strength but you should also be concerned for the safety of the fish.
Once you have given the glue time to set then you can test the seal by filling the tank with water
+1 joe is right. You said it is under the plastic trim so it is most likely where the glass is glued together but make sure. And he is right on the sealent not all are fish tank safe. but te home of depots has aquarium sealicone (where I told you o find it) it is the samee stuff they have at the lfs but for a fraction of the cost. But I dont know about lfs over there.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Robert,
I guess you could put pressure on it after 24hrs, but I would only leak test it and then after 48 to 72hrs, I would set the tank up.
I guess it's a matter of opinion. I know oceanview doesn't allow some of their tanks to be filled until after 72hrs after they give them to me from their facility.
 
robertmathern

robertmathern

Active Member
Yeah I would have to agree there. Thats sounds about right. Poor fish are stuck in tubs. I guess it is better than the toliet bowl in the sky if only for three days
 
culp

culp

Active Member
i was always told that it takes up to a week for the sealicone to cure to its strongest. but i agree that you would wait longer than 24 hours. i would say more like 48 hours.
 
aztec reef

aztec reef

Active Member
i would cure it for at least 3 days while holding it together with clamps or straps..
After curing it , i would apply more sealant to the inside's seams. kind of like caulking the seams of a bathtub..let it cure then fillup tank with water to check for leaks..
After inspection.. i would add a little extra support to the outside's seems, by taping them together with a thin strip of tefflon tape ..(not mandatory)
 
keith burn

keith burn

Active Member
What about buying a new 65gal tank.
Originally Posted by Girlina4x4
http:///forum/post/2882732
Just got my 65 gallon this morning.!
new or used?
If new take it back.
If used imo buy a new one ...
Fixing it will work but in the long run do you know it will be ok (no).
Just get a new one you will not regret it in the long run.
 
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