40breeder re-silicone

[kcrush4989]

I just bought a 40 breeder to use as a sump but when i picked it up it was in rough shape. It did hold water but wasnt sure for how long. I scraped all the seams and got everthing off the glass but did NOT seperate the walls. Can i resilicone without taking all the way apart? What is the best silicone to use? Im i looking for trouble not taking it all the way apart?

Thanks
Keith

[BANANAHANDS]

I've never actually done this myself, but I've seen and read about lots of people re-sealing without separating the panes of glass. Just get as much of the old silicone out as you can. Since its going to be a sump and it doesn't need to be pretty, I would use a thick bead of silicone. Then use the back of a plastic spoon or your wet finger to push the silicone into the seams.
HTH, good luck!

[kcrush4989]

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure. I am going to use RTV108 to reseal so it should have a nice tight bond. It has been cleaned very well and will be wiped with rubbing alc. before resealed.

Thanks
Keith

[MR HONDA]

Just clean the seams and use ge1 window and door 100% silicon i use it all the time when i re seal tanks or put baffles in sumps you can get it at wal-mart for under 5.00....

[GDAVIDSON7285]

You will want to clean the glass with Acetone or alcohol before you put the silicone on

[kcrush4989]

will do thank you


You will want to clean the glass with Acetone or alcohol before you put the silicone on

[kcrush4989]

I have read that but wasnt to sure about the strength of it. I really dont want 35 gal of water on the floor. I did just mesure the tank and found out it is a 50gal. 36x18x17 major score...

Just clean the seams and use ge1 window and door 100% silicon i use it all the time when i re seal tanks or put baffles in sumps you can get it at wal-mart for under 5.00....

[MR HONDA]

From what i have read the tank companies use the same silicone to build there tanks...

[GDAVIDSON7285]

I have reseal a few tank if it was not leaking . you due not need to cut it a part. If it was a leaker i would cut it a part and reseal it

[MR HONDA]

Does the tank have a frame around the top and bottom?

[kcrush4989]

sounds good. thank you. I will give it a try and test it in the garage for leaks.

From what i have read the tank companies use the same silicone to build there tanks...

[kcrush4989]

Yes it does have a frame on the top and bottom. And there were no leaks when i leaked tested. It just looked like something that would look like it leaked. The glass is also 1/2in to 5/8 thick. The tank is an oldie but got it for 40 bucks. I just couldnt pass it up. It will beat the 29 tall that i'm using now.

Does the tank have a frame around the top and bottom?

[GDAVIDSON7285]

Make sure you let it set for at lease 3 to 4 days before you put water in to test after you reseal it

[coralnut99]

After you cut the inner bead of silicone off with a razor blade, take a small scrap of VERY high grit sandpaper and rub it over the lines where the old bead was. Any remaining silicone you missed will show up as a filmy haze you can go over again with the razor blade.
I know it sounds like overkill to some, but I'd bite the bullet and spend a few extra bucks on RTV108. There are significant differences in the tensile strength of different silicone formulas, and RTV 108 is about the strongest you can get at retail. It's a used tank, and you just don't know anything about it's history. To me DIY is about doing it right, yourself. That usually lets you use better material and still save a bundle.

[uncleof6]

From what i have read the tank companies use the same silicone to build there tanks...

No sir they do not. GE Silicone I is not used for tank assembly. It is labeled not for aquarium use, because it lacks the strength to hold a tank together. The most common GE/Momentive silicone used for aquariums is RTV108. IS808 is the second most used.

The cost difference here is not significant enough to warrant using a silicone that is not suited for the job.

Jim

[uncleof6]

Make sure you let it set for at lease 3 to 4 days before you put water in to test after you reseal it


The silicone needs to cure 7 days minimum for RTV108 silicone. (And most others) --- this is in the product data sheets, not on the label necessarily. This varies with temperature and humidity. Higher temps and humidity can reduce the full cure time.

Regards,

Jim

[kcrush4989]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to make sure i clean the tank really good tonight with acatone and seal with black rtv108. I will then build my bubble traps and fuge section with clear GE 1. Thanks for all the help.

Keith

[broberts]

I was also wondering what knid of silicone to use. Is there a name brand of this, can it be bought anywhere?

[john68camaro]

If you are not separating the glass, this silicone will not be used to hold it together, stength wont matter here. Any 100% silicone will do, but if the cost is the same def, get the RTV108

[kcrush4989]

greinger has the RTV108 and you can get GE 1 anywhere. I want to do this once so thats why i am going with the RTV. The GE 1 might work but there is nothing wrong with a little overkill. Whats 5 buck more.

Keith

I was also wondering what knid of silicone to use. Is there a name brand of this, can it be bought anywhere?

[uncleof6]

If you are not separating the glass, this silicone will not be used to hold it together, stength wont matter here. Any 100% silicone will do, but if the cost is the same def, get the RTV108


You know what? Any old 100% silicone will not do. 100% silicone is not created equal, there are way too many different formulations, some with petroleum distillates in them, Silicone II just for an example, to make such a blanket statement that any old 100% silicone will do. Any old FDA approved 100% 1 - part acetoxy cure silicone will do. :)

Regards,

Jim

[uncleof6]

I was also wondering what knid of silicone to use. Is there a name brand of this, can it be bought anywhere?


The RTV108 used to be a GE silicone, Momentive Performance Materials aquired GE Silicones in 2006. So it is now made by Momentive (Waterford Plant.) As was mentioned you can buy it over the counter at Grainger.

Jim