tank repair

[AlvinBrockway]

So, awhile back I bought a 55g tank from craiglist, got it home set up and long story short it leaked...whatd i expect for 50 bucks including filter, heater, etc...anyhow, i tried to fix it once, and it still leaked but from a diff spot, and much much less. my question is, what exactly should i use to seal the tank? i have acetone, razors, etc but what silicone should i use? last time i used aquarium silicone, someone else told me rtx180 i think...

[minifoot77]

i use all glass silicone just make sure the old silicone is all gone no haze or thin layer of it in the corners i use rubbing alcohol and a green scrachy from the sink after many many trips around the tank with razor blades...

[AlvinBrockway]

yea, i took my time on the first attempt but im sure i could do a better job, something to look forward to when the decent weather comes back...i got a nice iron stand for christmas that holds 2 tanks, so 2 55s is what i'll be aiming for...where did you get the all glass silicone from?

[twisted fisher]

i always use ge I silicone for repairs and background and havent had any problems just make sure you put enough to get a good bead

[DJRansome]

You can get All-Glass Aquarium brand silicone at your LFS or order it online from places like Big Al's, etc. I have used many tubes of it to install in-tank backgrounds. If you use a GE silicone be sure you read ALL the fine print and advertising on the particular tube you use. I had used GE before with success and bought the same thing...I thought...for a new project. It still said 100% silicone, but there was this little oval that I didn't notice that said "bio-seal". Of course I used THAT tube on the 125G to install the background. Fish died, so I had to rip it out, remove all silicone from both tank and 3 sections of background and start over. All-Glass for me after that, LOL.

[bovsbaitboxes]

GE silicone 1 clear waterproof silicone window/door/attic/basement 100%silicone permanently weatherproof its a white silver and blue tube (this is what is says on the tube.I use it on all used tanks I get I put a nice bead over all corners and smooth it with the finger so it overlaps the old stuff and then trim back to make a nice line. granted the tanks never leaked I do this just as a procautionary measure) good luck John

[Flareside]

I do the same as above. I overlap the existing silicone by at least an eight of an inch. I mask the seams with the blue painters tape to get a nice straight line. Remove the tape after 15 minutes though. If you dont, the silicone will cure and stick to the tape. Then when you try and remove the tape, you will have to cut the silicone and rish loosing the nice straight line