At what point do you stop trusting your tank?

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by Kryten

Thanks for the advice guys. Not sure about taking it apart and re-siliconing it myself. I think I would trust it even less at that point. I wonder how much that would cost to get done by a place that builds tanks...

Usually as much as a new tank, it is a real PITA to take one apart and rebuild. You need to make sure the edges are perfectly clean (use acetone) to be sure of a good bond.

I also don't think I'd trust it anyway, if you are seeing a lot of bowing it could mean that the front panel is weakening. 130 gal is one hell of a mess.

[Rikko]

I never (fully) trust a large tank after I've moved it once, but I have to say that the (old, at least) Hagen tanks were sure built to last. My dad's 72 gallon Hagen just sprung a leak last year - after 25 years of continuous use.

If you're going to reseal it, I'd encourage you to get it done by someone who builds tanks professionally, as the slightest imperfection in the surface where you're assembling it, or the glass being slightly out in the seal will translate to a whole lot of misplaced pressure.. Probably not a big deal, but over the years is a little risky.

And just to say it (for future readers of this thread), cutting out the silicone from the inside of the tank and not actually separating the panes of glass isn't worth doing - the overwhelming majority of the strength of the seal comes from the silicone that's sandwiched between the panes. The stuff you actually see isn't doing a whole lot.

[Dale]

Too bad you don't live near me Kryten - I'd buy it off of you "cheap"

I've resiliconed many tanks over the years with good successs, though I've never had the need, or desire, to take the internal silicone out as Buk_A_neer and Rikko suggest. Once you mess with those seams it is a crap shoot and there's no reason to assume that they have weakened. Tank leaks occur when there is a failure with the water contacted beads. This occurs because they are continously exposed to water and over time they weather and weaken. The bond between the panes is not exposed to air or water and lasts a very long time (unless stressed by moving or flexing as Rikko suggests). I don't think telling people to completely strip their tanks when they need resiliconing is really practical (IMHO)

Oddly enough, I am actually redoing a drilled 130G. right now that I've picked up for $50.

It is true that having someone else do it for you will probably cost as much as a new tank though. The labour is fiddly if you want to ensure a good seal by removing all the silicone but it really isn't that difficult. I guess I like to tinker (or may be I'm a little too scottish )

Here's a link where I describe the process
http://www.aquahobby.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=35335

Oh well, If you're ever passing through with that 130, you can always give me a call
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vapourizers

[Buccaneer]

I have built quite a few tanks in the past and had to replace the side glass in my current 270G tank ... the garrote method works quite well for tank repair.

The reason to resilicone is if the sides have bowed it may have put stress on the main edge seals ... the inside seal is not for strength but to make sure the tank is waterproof

take it for what it's worth ... I have Scottish heritage too ( going back a long ways ) so maybe that is why I would resilicone it rather than buy a new one

[shadowboy]

Whats with all hate towards PITA's? I love Pitas, little lettuce creme cheese,ham and tomato, not only do you have a nutricious delicious lunch its fun to eat too, neato!

...

tb

[Dale]

They use pitas when making falafels don't they? How can you trust a sandwich that has awful right in its name

No hard feelings B. and R. Just two different perspectives.
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CMX450C

[Kryten]

The bowing when the tank was full was something that occurred since it was first set up, I assume because when you've got a 6 foot pane of glass with all that pressure and no center brace it'll just happen. The tank has been moved several times though. I guess it's just a roll of the dice at this point. Maybe I'll just stick with the terrarium/paludarium theme. If anyone's interested, here's a few pics of when it was set up as such.

[Midknight]

That is cool, what do you have in it? Other than dirt and fog.

[Delphinus]

That's cool, I love paludariums. Where did you hide the fogger? I always wondered if having the fogger in the same water the frogs go in would be bad for them?

[Kryten]

I had some wood frogs in there, and a lot of earthworms. The fogger was hidden in the corner behind the driftwood with the powerhead that was feeding the stream. I don't think it would have been harmful to them unless they jumped on top of it.