Resealing Aquarium

[illicit]

Is there a recommended place or person that reseals tanks. Also what will it cost for a 200 gallon?

[JStrider]

you could do it yourself if you search around here you should be able to find some directions... I know I've posted my method before.

[illicit]

I was thinking of doing it myself. I will have research a bit more and decide if I'm upto it.

[thekarens]

We resealed our 135g salt tank. It wasn't super hard, but it was a lot like work

[mikeb144]

I have resealed my 210, IMO preparing the surface is the most important thing. It HAS to be clean and dry before you seal it. I used GE 100% silicone sealant. Take your time. I let my tank dry for 7 days before adding water. Good luck.

[patrick hoang]

hey! this is PAT fr. fishnpet unlimited. we carry a special silicone sealent for fish tank. donot use homedepot silicone I have try many times before but they not holdding too good, also split in half. For more info or tips feel free to call me at 281-530-8563. I have been in this bussiness for over 20 yrs. but have been with fishes all my life.

[CichlidFan]

Preparation is the key as mike144 has stated. I do not have alot of experience, but all the tanks I have resealed are still holding water.

The main thing you have to do after cutting the solid pieces of old silicone off, is clean the residue completely.

Before applying a new seal, make sure the all the surface area where you are going to apply your new silicone is free of contamination.

Use plenty of razor blades and acetone to clean the corners. Be carefull with the blades, and take your time.

As stated by the Karens, it is a great deal of work, but if you take your time, and do a nice clean job of removing and installing, you're going to be okay.

I would assume it's fairly expensive to have a large tank resealed by a professional.


CF

[Somefishguy]

There is also some plastic edge tools they sell at home depot or lowes. They will give you cleaner seals that way and look better overall.

[mikeb144]

I have not been resealing tanks for 20 years, but GE Silicone 2 is 100% silicone. Just because it says AQUARIUM SILICONE on the tube does not mean it has some super powers. When I reseal a tank I remove ALL of the silicone and as stated before surface prep. is everything. Do not reseal over anything!!! I have serval tanks that I have resealed that have held up for years (I should not say this, they probably will start leaking tonight) As in everthing else there is always more than one way to do it, but this is what has worked for me. As always this is just M/O

[FIREFISH]

I thought it was suppsed to be GE 1 silicone? Thats what I have read on other web sites.

FF

[mikeb144]

Everything I posted here is based only on things that have worked for me. GE ll 100% clear silicone sealant

[illicit]

Thanks for all the feed back. I just wanted to see what is recommended by some you. I will try it since the tank is currrently empty. Thanks for the info again.

[JStrider]

I think most people use the GE Silicone 1, the II has an antibacterial in it that may or maynot be bad for your fish.

put tape along the edges, then you can peel it up after putting the silicone on to give it nice straight lines.

[mikeb144]

I did not know that, thanks for the input.

[fshfrk]

If you seal it yourself I would recommend this. After you prep seal the bottom 4 sides then smooth out. then seal the 4 corners and smooth out. then the 4 sides of top. If shot all the silicone at once it will crust over before you can smooth it out. you might be ok on a smaller tank but a 210 takes a lot more time. next tank I seal I'm going to use the Dow Corning that westlydownunder recommended. It has a much longer working time. I just don't know where to get it.