Help Not Just Resealing A Tank

[Seasquirt]

I guess I’ve made up my mind on the tank I’m going to set up, just like me to do it the hard way. I’ve been looking for a tank but I wanted something different and something cheap for my first interm tank before I get a tank built or spend a ton of money on a system, as you say.

so I’m talking to a friend and he has tank in his basement but has to be repealed, apparently the tank failed awhile back. A very slow leak in a rear corner. It turns out that the tank was bumped and has a small chip in that corner. He stripped the sea lent from inside and gave up on it.

so I went to get it yesterday, it’s a 60 cube, 24x24x24 Rimless, drilled with bulk heads and plumbing. The glass looks good, 3/8 thick. It’s very nice, Very heavy,very pretty. Lol

now I think just a reseal won’t be enough, it’s banged on the back, I could put a big blob of sealant in that corner while sealing but what if it leaks again? Soooo what if I put a piece of glass on the inside on the bottom in that corner to build it up, a piece like 3 inches square then reseal the tank, I just can’t see replacing that pane or putting glass on the back and the sides to make it water tight. What do you all think. Did I say help, yes I did, thank you for your help in advance. C

 

[Pistol]

If the tank was leaking the the silicone holding the tank together ( the silicone where the 2 pieces of glass are together) is failing at which point the tank should be taken completely apart and reconstructed, just putting some silicone on the corners won't be enough to keep it structurally sound.
Adding a piece of glass where it is chipped would be good.

 

[TORX]

I am with @Pistol. If there was a leak then the entire seal should be replaced not just the stuff you can peal off with a razor. Depending on what pane it is, then it would mean taking most of the tank apart. I suggest using SCS 1200 sealant. It is the one professional builders use and is the only one I trust when working on a tank.

 

[Seasquirt]

I see what you mean, so not a bandaid job. I am not sure I can take it apart, are there people who do that sort of thing? Ok so let’s say that’s what has to be done, it’s the back panel that is leaking. The tank is just too nice to scrap.

I’ve heard that you use piano wire to get the seams apart, I just may have bitten off more than I can handle. What a way to start a great hobby and thank you Torx for the name of that sealant.

 

[TORX]

I personally use a heat gun or hair drier to warm the silicone a lot first. Then I use a razor but guitar or piano wire would work as well. You also need a lot of patience and some nerves of steal while pealing back the panes. Then reassemble is just as un-nerving. I have done a few tanks, nothing as big as a 60 cube yet though. Not out of fear but just have not needed to at this point. I do plan on a large tank build that I will be doing myself but that keeps getting pushed farther and farther back. First house renos, then COVID grr.

 

[Seasquirt]

Ok thanks i think if i take off 1 panel, the back and the inside seams, get a new pane because the other 3 corners are not very good and reattach, reseal then i should be good.
I've just cut my thumb trying to open the blade box. Great start!!!

I managed to get some off the inside silicone off earlier and that was easy. Wish me luck

 

[Seasquirt]

Well, I’ve been really busy with life, who isn’t? I have yet to get that back panel off, there’s a very thin layer of sealant between those panels. I tried a knife but nope, gotta get something thinner. I managed to get a sump and a skimmer, the sump is acrylic 20x20x15, 3 compartments with a gate that controls the height of the water, I think it’s called a Trigger Sump and the skimmer is a SWC 150 SSS, I bought it off Kijiji the price was right. It’s all coming together slowly.

 

[Seasquirt]

Another update, I managed to get the pane off, what a relief!!! Now I need a new one, does anyone know where I can get a new pane? It’s 3/8 glass 24x24? I’m started to get excited about this tank, I picked up the plumbing and a return pump, its a Jebao 5000, the return will split in the over flow to two 3/8 locline from a 1 inch pipe and 1 1/4 drain. Guess I’ve got to get a stand and possibly a canopy made, I want to be able to keep some jumpers hence the canopy.

 

[Seasquirt]

Hi everyone, its been a bit but i have finally replaced the back pane of glass, i ordered it from Miracles, i went to pick it up and my visit was great.
They did a good job, good thing i remeasured the glass because it was 24x25x8mil, they trimmed up the sides and applied the back vynal while i was there. They were great to talk to and i got a tour.

I used scs 1200 sealant and let it sit to cure for 3 days, the pictures were taken after being full of water for 3 days.
Notice the picture of the back lower sections how the power supplies are being cooled by the fan, no more over heating for them.
My plan is to have a remote fuge behind the tank in a closet, a 35 gl, 36x12x18 split with Cheato in the first half and rock in the 2nd half, itll be fed from the drain and gravity fliw back to the sump.

The sump is a 26 gl Trigger Sump with 3 compartments, the fuge area is gonna be used for two Phosbon Rx and an ATS.

Enjoy the pics, moving slowly but thats ok I'm not in a rush. Stay safe and stay home if you can.

 

[Pistol]

congrats on a job well done

 

[Seasquirt]

Thank you Sir. I can't believe it worked out. I guess taking my time and doing it right paid off.

 

[Seasquirt]

Got a question. As you know i replaced the back pane of glass with a new one and used scs1200. My week long water test was a success, i removed the water to put the overflow in and there is a white chauky residue in the tank. Was i supposed to seal the caulk? Is it ok for use inside the tank? I used fresh water and sure the powerheads that i used were a bit salty but thats it.

Any ideas? It'll clean up fine but this is a Reef Tank after all.
Thanks in advance

 

[TORX]

SCS1200 is aquarium safe. It is what most peo tank builders use. No further treatment to the silicone is required.

Sent from my SM-G988W using Tapatalk

 

[Seasquirt]

Ok then, I'm not sure what happened. The build continues. Ty

 

[TORX]

Just be sure to give the tank a good clean or wipe down with vinegar and rinse. I doubt it is anything to worry about.

 

[Seasquirt]

Done