150 gallon reseal

[Marty]

I picked up a 150 gallon that ended up being a leaker.  I finally had some time this weekend, so I scraped off all the old silicone and resealed it.  This is the largest tank I've done so far, but I actually thought it was easier because I had plenty of room to work inside the tank.  I probably should've taken more pics, but here's a couple with it holding water (six hours since I filled it).

I wouldn't say the silicone looks professional grade, but it doesn't look horrible either.  Next time, I might actually break down and buy one of those spatula type things they sell on tv to make the bead look better.

[hollywod12]

I just bought a 135 and thinking it may leak how full do u fill it to check it and I see your siteing this on 2*4?

[four_by_ken]

Nice work.  Braver man than I.

 

[Marty]

I filled it to the top.  I have it sitting on some 2 x 4's to even out the pressure instead of putting it directly on concrete.  I filled it in the garage to keep from flooding the house in the event I didn't do a good enough job with the reseal.

[Marty]

Nice work.  Braver man than I.
 

It's really not that hard, you just have to make sure you get ALL of the old silicone off the glass.  It's more of an attention to detail/tedious job.  I went through around a dozen razor blades on this one.

Typically you're going to know if it's going to leak within a few minutes.  I'll leave this one filled for a week just because it's so large and it's not in the way right now anyhow.  I've done this to a couple of dozen tanks and only had one leak (because I didn't get all of the old silicone out of a corner).

[Arturtle]

I wouldn't say the silicone looks professional grade, but it doesn't look horrible either.  Next time, I might actually break down and buy one of those spatula type things they sell on tv to make the bead look better.

After doing a 75 gallon recently I came to the same conclusion about getting something to help spread the silicone.  I have heard people talk of cutting up an old credit card to do the corners.  I might give that a shot next time.  I have also heard an old spoon works good too, but I think that would be less uniform.

[RichE]

rubber glove and a little rubbing alcohol on the tip of your finger and it spreads nice

[LoveTheFishies]

As I recall, I have used vinegar on the end of my finger too.  (that was about a million years ago)

[techjoe]

Wal-Mart sells caulk tools two kinds.  I bought both but i like the one with the removal tool attached to it.  I have used it on a 30, 10 and my 150 works great.  The removal tool is useless with silicone.  I think it was around five bucks in the paint department 

[four_by_ken]

You can probably get the same thing at any hardware store. 

Forget Walmart.

[Steve]

Looks like it came out really good Marty nice work. So whats the plan for the tank, know what you're gonna stock in it yet?


Now I have to go back to Walmart for the 2nd time today just to PO Ken lol 

[four_by_ken]

Looks like it came out really good Marty nice work. So whats the plan for the tank, know what you're gonna stock in it yet?


Now I have to go back to Walmart for the 2nd time today just to PO Ken lol 

Did you buy some rods there?  I heard they are excellent quality.

[Regalblue]

Looks like it came out really good Marty nice work. So whats the plan for the tank, know what you're gonna stock in it yet?


Now I have to go back to Walmart for the 2nd time today just to PO Ken lol 

Dis you buy some rods there?  I heard they are excellent quality.

LMAO!!!

[Steve]

Can't ya just feel the love around here  lol

[four_by_ken]

Can't ya just feel the love around here  lol

 

Happy 4th of July!!!