Leaking tank

[Bartman]

One off my tanks has developed a leak. It appears to be below the substrate somewhere. I am collecting about a gallon a day in buckets and towels. Just noticed it about 2 days ago. Any suggestions on where to get good tank silicone or where to have a tank re-siliconed?

Much thanks,
Scott.

[snaggle]

family pet super center sells it I dont remember how much it is.

[LostMind]

jl and king eds carry aquarium silicone.

after playing with my broken tank, I'd say try it yourself, I wouldnt think it to be too hard.

I dont know who would repair it for you tho.

[Richer]

Try looking at your local home depot for GE Window and Door silicone. You want Silicone I, not Silicone II. The stuff is a fraction of the cost of "aquarium" silicone sold in pet stores. I used it to put together the internal overflow box on my 30 gallon... all the inhabitants in my tank have not shown any signs of poisioning... (granted there's only a xenia, a couple of mushrooms and pods in my tank right now).

-Richer

[cc_bruno]

If not there, I picked up some tubes at Canadian Tire, (it will actually say that it's for aquariums as well, but suggests waiting 4-5 days before filling it with water). I think it's about $7 per tube, but the tubes are a fair size, so, one tube should easily do you. Hope that helps.

[johnny rock]

silicone can be bought as suggested at HD or HOME HARDWARE and CT. as long as its 100% silicone and has no mildew killing agent then your fine. The hard part is resiliconing! the tank HAS to be taken apart,cleaned beyond your wildest dreams and then resiliconed in one shot. use razors blades and lots of them, then use a acetate or vinegar to really clean any residue off. It has to be perfect. do not try to silicone over old silicone as it will let go later.

[Bartman]

Originally Posted by johnny rock

use razors blades and lots of them, then use a acetate or vinegar to really clean any residue off. It has to be perfect. do not try to silicone over old silicone as it will let go later.

I've just started the tear down. The leak has gotten worse. I hadn't thought whether I was going to remove the old silicone. You're suggested it's a must? Better get some razor blades.

[muck]

Originally Posted by Bartman

...You're suggested it's a must?...

Definately a must!! You have got to make sure all silicone residue is gone before you try to re-silicone the tank. Otherwise you will be in the same situation you are in now not too far down the road.
(Probably hold together long enough untill you have re-filled the tank and put everything back in. )

[Quinn]

Just a thought, but could he get away with sealing the leak with Plumber's Goop?

[johnny rock]

nope on the goop, the pressure in any tank especially at the botom seem is pretty intence and eventually it would let go big time. it has to be redone frome top to bottom. It really sucks but its the only way. don't feel bad, I had to resilicone my 500g!!!!! bad tube of silicone[I used GE 11 instead of GE 1 ]and it didn't cure right.