How to resilicone a tank.

[Northernguy]

Many have been asking how to seal a tank so I thought I would write a short article about it with pics! :19: I was given a 20 gal a few weeks ago but couldn't set it up because the silicone in the corners had a bit of mold and it was beginning to peel.
I first cleaned it out really well inside and out.It had a lot of crusty build up on the top rim and on the glass.I first washed it out with a bleach and water mix and rinsed it out a few times.I used vinager soaked paper towel over the white crusty build up for a few hours. With an algae scrubber I started to come off,I used a razor blade to remove the rest and rinsed it clean.
Now that the tank is clean and dry I started to remove the silicone.I find it much easier to work on a clean tank.
With a flat edge razor and a utility knife I cut out the silicone.Be careful not to scratch the glass.There is less chance of scratching the surface if you dampen the corners first with a damp cloth for a bit lubrication.Just use water.
Be careful not to cut into the seam between the panels,thats whole other silcone job! lol I like the knife as a corner tool.Clean out all silicone debris from tank.I used a vacuum and the some alcohol to wipe down the corners with.

[Northernguy]

Once the tank is clean and free of all debris,wipe it with alcohol and a lint free cloth.There cannot be anything on the glass when you silicone.To keep your lines straight when adding the silicone use painters tape or masking tape.It makes the job so much easier.You don't want the silicone in the vertical corners to be too thick,I make mine 3/8" out from the edge.The bottom is covered by trim and substrate but it doesn't have to be any thicker.

[Northernguy]

I used Ge Silicone I 100% Rubber silicone.There are others that work.I trust this one.You will also need to have a roll of paper towel handy.thumbs2: Make sure you use an aquarium safe silicone. The GE I that is listed in this thread is no longer available.That is the old product and it has since changed formula and is no longer safe.
Make sure use enough silicone that you won't have to add anymore later but not too much! lol Remember that the whole inside of the tank must be siliconed all at once.You cannot go back to it after it dries.Silicone will not properly stick to dry silicone.
I cut the end of the tube and leave an 1/8" thich hole.You do not need any bigger.After you lay a bead of silicone use a tool and wipe from one corner to the other none stop!It helps to keep from getting air bubbles in the bead which makes for a better seam. I used my finger but its not recomended.Start at the bottom and do the sides last,its makes it much easier to not bump your finished work leaving a neater finish.It also lets you get the feel of it before attempting the the areas you will see all the time.lol
Once you are done smoothing all your corners let it dry for 24hrs.

[Northernguy]

Remove the tape when its dry.I use a knife to cut along the edges.It makes the tape removal much easier and there is no risk off lifting the fresh silicone job.
Wait another 24 hrs before filling the tank.I test my tanks outside! lol Just in case.
I hope this helps to make the job easier.
Enjoy your leak proofed tank!:22:


If I forgot anything feel free to ask!

[Hailey]

Thanks! Perfect for when Im on that step!

[Lady Hobbs]

Good article and it is now stickie.

I read you can use the flat side of a spoon to get a nice level line but never thought to try that.

[DoubleAA]

Thank You!
this is exactly what I was looking for and needed to see.

Aaron

[Northernguy]

Glad to hear you find it useful!thumbs2:

Woohoo! I wrote a Stickie! lol
Thank You Lady Hobbs!:22:

[Wild Turkey]

Great write-up pal! We really needed this one thumbs2:

[rich311k]

Wonderful write up. Very easy to follow.

[Lab_Rat]

Great write up and the pics are very helpful!

:22: thumbs2:

[Northernguy]

Thank you! It was needed around here.
Many seem scared to try it. Its a simple procedure that just takes up a wee bit of time and patience.

[Goodbye]

Great article! thumbs2:

and great pics too!

[Crispy]

Great write-up NG! Great thread for a sticky! thumbs2: thumbs2: thumbs2:

[Neon]

this is really Great North !!! ur treads about how to do driftwood and resilicone should be made sticky or joined together in a e-book , the instructions and the pictures are really something, sincerely well donethumbs2: and keep up :22:

[Northernguy]

Thank you Neon!
Thanks for the kind words everyone!:22:

[Northernguy]

Just one more pic for the thread!:19:
I filled it and no leaks. lol I thought it needed this one!:22:

[Oscarwild]

Fantastic article Northernguy. This is exactly the sort of information I need right now as I am redoing the silicone on a large tank. Very helpful.
thumbs2: thumbs2: thumbs2:

[Northernguy]

I hope you take some pics!lolthumbs2:
More pics makes for a very helpful thread! :22:

[bushwhacker]

bump lol

[dragoonwoman]

Great write-up! I'll be resealing a 35 hex tank my sister is swapping for my leaking 27, so I'll need these directions in a day or two.

LOVE the idea of the masking tape to keep the lines neat! thumbs2:

[Northernguy]

You will have a lot of taping to do! lol
Thats a lot of seams!Its no more difficult than a standard tank just more preperation.
Good luck and post some pics!thumbs2:

[terrapin24h]

I just came across this writeup, great job NG!! A plumber taught me a trick when smoothing any kind of caulk, ready?

Wet your finger. Wetting your finger allows it to glide more evenly and smoothly over the caulk, and doesn't cause as much "waste" caulk to build up on your finger, as it doesn't stick. You get the smoothing effect without removing as much caulk. After each swipe, clean then re wet your finger. Same applies to beading tools

--chris

[Northernguy]

If you look at the pics you will see I used my finger, but thanks.lol
Its not recomended that you get silicone on your skin.Thats why I didn't mention it in the thread.
I have always used my finger to smooth it out.You cannot feel the imperfections with a tool like you can with a finger.

[promise]

just did it 20 mins ago on my 75 gal its in the garage curing, thanks to this thread i found it fairly easy, cheers NG great article
just a quick question, i used GE 2 windows and door clear 100% silicone is this as good as GE 1 silicone???

[kel]

just did it 20 mins ago on my 75 gal its in the garage curing, thanks to this thread i found it fairly easy, cheers NG great article
just a quick question, i used GE 2 windows and door clear 100% silicone is this as good as GE 1 silicone???

Nope.. GE 2 will end up killing your fish. Have a look at this thread to see what will happen if you use GE Silicone II instead of GE SIlicone I Phantom Killer ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

Hate to say it but... you will need to strip all that you just put on your tank off.. clean it real good and start over using GE I 100% Silicone.

[promise]

wow holy crap, im gonna have to start again then, will let this lot cure and go out and find some GE1 from home depot then. thanks for the info, that single thread just saved my oscars life

[kel]

wow holy crap, im gonna have to start again then, will let this lot cure and go out and find some GE1 from home depot then. thanks for the info, that single thread just saved my oscars life

No problem.. happy to help. Sucks you have to start over but at least you caught it now rather than later :22:

[tanks4thememories]

AWESOME POST!! I would give you some more rep but it says I have to wait since I already gave you some recently...lol

I'm always scared to do this cause I think I won't do it right and it will leak later on...lol After reading this I might try it next time I run across a good deal on a leaking tank:ssmile:

[promise]

No problem.. happy to help. Sucks you have to start over but at least you caught it now rather than later :22:

yeah exactly, my oscar has been with me for some time so the least i can do is put the little guy in a safe tank. again thanks for the info kel

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Thanks for this great step-by-step guide. I'll be using it on a 125gal I have sitting on my back deck. :)

[Northernguy]

Glad you all like it.:22:
Its an easy job to do and the peace of mind you get from resealing an older tank really makes it worth it.lol

Silicone II is poison to your fish.

[promise]

resealed the tank, lovely job thanks to your post NG, did it with GE 1 this time, sealed it 2 tuesdays ago gave it until the weekend and filled her to the brim all 75 gallons not one drip on the garage floor for the 2 days it was in there now its sitting in the basement cycling 3-6 times before i put me oscar in there
thanks for an awesome post it saved the fishes life

[Northernguy]

I am happy to hear that you found it to be useful.:22:

[fiatben]

I really enjoyed and appreciated the post on recaulking a tank. I especially am glad for the warning about getting the wrong silicone.

I have a question.

I found GE Silicone 1* Clear at my local big box store. This states it is for windows/doors/attic/basement and is 100% silicone. In the warning labels it mentions off-gassing acetic acid which I understand to be normal. It also states that it contains methylthriacetoxysilane. It also has a statement about not being for use below the waterline or for aquariums, but I know that could be a disclaimer to avoid liability. This is GE Silicone 1 but it has "1*", that is a star behind the "1". Have I found the right stuff? Or do I keep looking?

[Northernguy]

The stuff that is available in Canada looks exactly like this tube.There is no stars on the label.It says nothing about not being for use below the waterline or for aquariums
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
There are other silicones that are aquarium safe.Dap makes one now although I have never used it.
Aquarium silicone is usually available at most LFS but it is much more expensive.

[robj6767]

You can purchase silicones online ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]), at xiameter.

[johnlvs2run]

I found GE Silicone 1* Clear at my local big box store. This states it is for windows/doors/attic/basement and is 100% silicone. In the warning labels it mentions off-gassing acetic acid which I understand to be normal. It also states that it contains methylthriacetoxysilane. It also has a statement about not being for use below the waterline or for aquariums, but I know that could be a disclaimer to avoid liability. This is GE Silicone 1 but it has "1*", that is a star behind the "1". Have I found the right stuff? Or do I keep looking?

I got the GE product Silicone 1 Clear for kitchen and bath, which says 100% Silicone on the tube. I was planning to use this supposedly inert product on rainwater gutters, and for patching the barrels. I asked how this product could be 100% silicon and safe since it contained methylthriacetoxysilane and stated as such on the tube.

The reply was that Silicone (being a trade name) contains other elements besides silicon. I said methylthriacetoxysilane does not sound safe to me. The reply was "that is Silicone" and is perfectly safe (chemically) as long as it's not swallowed in lumps. The rep said SiliconE would be safe in contact with drinking water, but aquarium chalk would be better for underwater use, only because the SiliconE might break down under water.

I have since obtained the MSDS report, and found this product is NOT SAFE at all. The emergency overview states "WARNING! May be harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. May cause central nervous system depression." There are a number of POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS listed.

The composition information on ingredients lists the following as being HAZARDOUS, petroleum distillates 10-30% by weight, methylthriacetoxysilane 1-5% by weight, and NON-HAZARDOUS, Treated Filler 5-10% and Dimethylpolysiloxane 60-100%

None of those sound safe to me and I would not want them anywhere close to water being used for drinking or aquariums.

I am returning the product to the store.

[Northernguy]

Welcome to the site!lol What a first post!lol
It has been mentioned in other threads here about GE changing its formula on their GE I silicone that I used in the past.The stuff used in this thread has proven itself as safe for aquarium use.I have resealed many tanks and repaired many decorations with it without losing fish over the yrs.
I wouldn't use anything with the new label though.Stick to brands that say safe for aquarium use.:22:

[johnlvs2run]

Northernguy. thanks. :smile:

]Wikipedia defines silicone ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) as a term coined for organic compounds of silicon (organosilicons). "More precisely called polymerized siloxanes or polysiloxanes, silicones are mixed inorganic-organic polymers with the chemical formula [R2SiO]n, where R is an organic group such as methyl, ethyl, or phenyl. :help:

There's a Perfecto Aquarium Sealant that seems popular, that cures within 72 hours. I've found the 10.3oz tube listed for $11.77 with shipping, but haven't located a company website or an MSDS report. Does anyone have experience with this brand?

[Lady Hobbs]

DAP is another one that carries silicones just for tanks.

[fishsafari]

I am so glad I read this thread. I have some GE II which I will take back to Lowes. Would anyone be willing to post a list of good silicones to use? In my Lowes I didn't see anything marked "aquarium safe."

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Remove the tape when its dry.

Any particular reason you don't remove the tape while the silicone is fresh? I would think it would be easier.

[FoxtrotFE]

I just contacted GE's silicone department and asked them the infamous "Is GE Silicone I safe for aquarium use" question. Their official response:

"As far as the product being safe, yes it is. It will not leach any toxins into the water. But, it will not hold up submerged underwater continuous."

The question and response was asked on July 27, 2011.

As for the MSDS on the product; if my memory serves me correct...all the "bad stuff" is when the silicone is wet. A lot of the additives are used to help cure it to a rubber state. I know I use a lot of sealants/epoxies/resins at work, and they are all horrible for your health uncured. Once they are cured, they are safe.

A good example of this is PVC glue. It contains Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone (MEK) which is known to destroy kidney's and liver...and yet once it has fully cured..it is OK for use in potable water systems.

Hope this could be of help.