Floyd R Turbo
Aquarium Advice Addict
I just bought a 37 gallon off Craigslist for $20 and once I cleaned it out (dead bird and all) I found that it looks to me that the previous owner (who left it in a shop owned by someone else, so no history) apparently got a little too crazy with the algae scrubbing, the silicone on the corners is rather jagged and thin in a couple places, big tears out of it, etc. I haven't filled it up yet to see if it hold water, but I can't imagine it won't. Still, it's bad enough to me that it probably needs re-sealing. This is something I've never done before though, and I read this on another thread...
...and it sounds relatively easy to do. I'm an engineer and a fix-it guy, so this makes total sense. The last 37 I had (20 years ago) lost a seal and I paid a guy to redo the whole tank and it was thick and sloppy IMO. So I had a few questions before delving into that:
1) Can I run a bead over the existing seal or it is just better to take it all off?
2) What kind/brand of silicone would I buy, where would I get it, and about how much should I need? I'm thinking 1 tube would do it for a 37 at 1/4" bead
3) How drying time before putting water in?
4) Should I take off the top casing? I'm guessing it would be better, but as long as I can get the new seal up to the casing, water won't get over that. Assuming bottom casing can stay where it is since I'm just re-sealing the inside.
5) Do I have to worry about air bubbles in the caulking, like at corners, etc.
6) how tough is aquarium silicone to work with?
7) should I just fill the tank in the garage and wait a month, and if it holds, just leave it? Or is it safer than sorry just to re-seal it, especially if it's not that difficult?
I'm hoping it's not too difficult or expensive, because I like the size of the 37 and I got it so cheap, talked him down from $30
Thanks for any advice!
Well, if it were me, I would have bought the tank. It's REALLY easy to reseal a used tank if there are 0 cracks. You basically take a few razor blades, a bottle of alchohol and a clean towell.
Cut the old silicone completely off the aquarium, being sure not to actually stick the blade between the joined glass. Then go back and clean it all with alchohol and dry. Once completely dry, go back and put a 1/4" bead of silicone on each joint/edge, use your finger or a caulking tool to smooth out the silicone, The idea is that a little bit of silicone in the right place is better than a lot done sloppy. If you take your time, you have a 100% chance of sealing up that tank.
...and it sounds relatively easy to do. I'm an engineer and a fix-it guy, so this makes total sense. The last 37 I had (20 years ago) lost a seal and I paid a guy to redo the whole tank and it was thick and sloppy IMO. So I had a few questions before delving into that:
1) Can I run a bead over the existing seal or it is just better to take it all off?
2) What kind/brand of silicone would I buy, where would I get it, and about how much should I need? I'm thinking 1 tube would do it for a 37 at 1/4" bead
3) How drying time before putting water in?
4) Should I take off the top casing? I'm guessing it would be better, but as long as I can get the new seal up to the casing, water won't get over that. Assuming bottom casing can stay where it is since I'm just re-sealing the inside.
5) Do I have to worry about air bubbles in the caulking, like at corners, etc.
6) how tough is aquarium silicone to work with?
7) should I just fill the tank in the garage and wait a month, and if it holds, just leave it? Or is it safer than sorry just to re-seal it, especially if it's not that difficult?
I'm hoping it's not too difficult or expensive, because I like the size of the 37 and I got it so cheap, talked him down from $30
Thanks for any advice!