tank repair

[sarahbella]

Its been about 15 years since i last had to repair a broken seal on a tank. *darn i feel old!!*

I left a 2gal hex at moms when i moved out eons ago and FINALLY reclaimed it this weekend.  well, it has leaks.


Can i use hardware store sealant?   i seem to remember thats what i used last time but i can't remember what im looking for.  

any help is muchly appreciated.

Sarah

[darkdep]

Standard Silicone/Aquarium Answer:  GE Silicone I in the Blue tube.  

[damarech]

I think you should be carefull with ordinary silicon , it will probably contain a certain amount of anti fugal agents , plus the off gasing while it cures is not good for fish either. I would stick to a good marine silicon desinged for aquariums.

[jaracas]

GE Silicone 1 IS what is used in Aquarium manufacture.
I have been building aquariums and terrariums for years for invertebrates using it with, obviously, no ill-effects whatsoever.

it's the 'kitchen and bath' formulae that contain fungicides etc

[darkdep]

GE Silicone I has no antifungal agents, when purchased in the Blue Tube.  This exact stuff used to have the label "Aquarium Safe" on it until a few years ago, and the only reason the label was removed was because of too many people not doing the job right and trying to blame GE because the "silicone was no good".

The tube says let it cure for a min of 24 hours, IMHO let it sit for about 3 days before exposure to water, or whenever the vinegar smell is gone.

[sarahbella]

thanx guys  think ill pick it up tonight and give 'er a go this weekend

[UCGrafix]

For a 2 gal. tank !
I would buy a new tank, it will be cheaper.
You can get a 5 or 10 gal tank at SuperPet for $14.95 + tax

[Sailfin]

For a 2 gal. tank !
I would buy a new tank, it will be cheaper.
You can get a 5 or 10 gal tank at SuperPet for $14.95 + tax

For some strange reason, a 10 gal this week at Petcetera is 12$ plus tax.

A while back someone asked what I used to seal tanks and I forgot to answer.     Once I take off the old silicon, I use an aquarium safe Adhesive purchased from Home Depot for a few bucks - "Xtreme Repair".   After 24 hours I put on "Silicon - All Glass Aquarium"......purchased from Big Als for $12.99 plus tax....Outrageous price, but I use it because I trust it.

I wouldn't suggest just putting on "just silicon" because when you take off the old sealant, it weakens the aquarium.  Silicon bonds, but doesn't hold the glass together with the pressure of the water.  I found that out when I tried to seal an old 20 gal.

[UCGrafix]

I wouldn't suggest just putting on "just silicon" because when you take off the old sealant, it weakens the aquarium.  Silicon bonds, but doesn't hold the glass together with the pressure of the water.  I found that out when I tried to seal an old 20 gal.

I agree partially with you.
You can take out the silicone inside the tank only, but not the one that bonds the glass together, because Sailfin is right, it will weaken the tank.
I have re-sealed up to a 72 gal. tank, by tanking the inside Silicone only and applied new one, it as worked well for me, and I have not had any leaks or weak spots.
This 72 gal. tank I am talking about I re-sealed, has been in operation now for 2 years and still going at my nephews house.
My 1.2 cents

[redbelly]

GE silicone I is all you need to bond the entire tank together. when doing a repair, just cut out the old silicone on the inside of the tank but leave the silicne between the pains of the glass. then run your bead along the indies of the tank. its just easier to do this way and will seal up again just fine.
if your building a tank from scratch, put the silicone on the mating surfaced, press together and hold in place, then run your bead on the inside of the tank.
you can if you like, but there is absolutely no nead to buy the silicone from big al's. its a waste of money. I have resealled far to mnay tanks and build quite a few tanks from scratch for friends. all using GE silicone I for everything with 100% success and 0 fish fatalities.
i usually let mine cure for about a week before adding water. a bit overkill but better safe than sorry.

also your spit works perfectly for smoothing out silicone joints.

[sarahbella]

Well, i didnt find GE silicone I,  but i did find GE Silicone II in the blue tube.. so thats what i picked up.  I hope it will do.    we'll see..

I  sealed a big tank before when i was a kid and the tank lasted for several years after that so im not to concerned about buying the "special for tanks" stuff...  i think its just a marketing ploy to get you to spend 3 times as much for the same stuff..

i bought the small tube for $3 or so.  i dont think i could pick up a 2 gal hex for $3 lol, and my boy wants it badly for something, probably those darn guppies he bought at the last auction that are multiplying like crazy lol...   I've already picked him up a 10gal for xmas so this little hex is just for a little while to appease the lad    ill probably make him fix it too what a horrible mum i am  lol

[darkdep]

NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!

You CANNOT USE GE SILICONE II!!!

[darkdep]

Sorry for the crazy response, I wanted to post something quick then explain...

GE Silicone II has Mildewcide in it (Anti-Mildew compound) that WILL kill your fish.

GE Silicone I can be found at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and I think Canadian Tire.  I've personally purchased it at both HD and Wal-Mart.  Silicone I in the RED tube also contains anti-mildew compound; which is why you need the blue tube (it's pure).

[redbelly]

it also says on silicone II "not for aquarium use"
where as silicone I has no such disclaimer.
darkdep is correct, dont use silicone II!!!

[sarahbella]

guess im off to walmart later then.  i was at canadian tire this morning and no silicone I.  i need to reseal my bathtub too so at least this stuff wont go to waste  

It does say on the tube tho that it is 100% Silicone, and nowhere on the tube does it say not to use it on aquariums..

but i trust you guys  ill pick another one up later...  

[darkdep]

The "100% Silicone" is a little misleading; it's definetly NOT the only thing to look for.  If you read the tube it will say something like "anti mildew" or "prevents mildew" etc

[sarahbella]

dont get me wrong, i trust you guys and im going out later to pick up another tube, i could always use an excuse to do more shopping but nowhere on this tube does it say anything about mildew or mold or not to use on aquariums.  

I went to the GE website and they seem to have two types of Silicone II.  hmmmm...

[darkdep]

I wish I had a tube in front of me, I could point out the red flag...but I can't remember what it is.

[sarahbella]

oh yep, there it is..  its so small ... jeez, i AM getting old...  

[sarahbella]

Well, picked up the ge silicone II in the blue tube and its  almost identical to the silicone I.  Both say not for aquarium use... The silicone II is 100% silicone  the other is 100% silicone rubber