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DIY, Hardware, and Technical - Tank Rebuild Redux!

Khandurian - Dec 13, 2006 - 07:13 PM
Post subject: Tank Rebuild Redux!

Well as some of you know, my first attempt to repair a 55 I found on the side of the road was a failure. It leaked after I got done. The leak was slow. extremly slow! in fact it was 1 drop every 3 hours!

So after stepping away from the tank for a month I figured it was time to tackle it again.

Heres the first pick of the pain staking task of masking off.

Sadly, this is also my first mistake! I FORGOT to add the thickness of the glass for the bottom. Oh well, No biggie, it will end up being a very very small seam this way!

Which you might be able to see here...

Here's a closeup of that final seam. You will be able to see where I did the masking without adding in the thickness of the glass

And now for the final pic. This is what happens when you lean over your work and start working from the wrong end! DOH!

All this work, and this is only ONE side! I am taking this one side at a time as I do not have the ability to be able to buy a whole bunch of clamps for a one time use project! More to come as it progresses!!

Bud8Fan - Dec 14, 2006 - 08:19 AM
Post subject: RE: Tank Rebuild Redux!

I thought you just bought a good one for $35?

Your a glutton for punishment. Wink

Khandurian - Dec 14, 2006 - 10:46 AM
Post subject: RE: Tank Rebuild Redux!

Ya, I did! This one has been sitting in the workshop for over a month now. My first attempt was a failure. Simply cause I did not use enough silicone. I also got alot more hints on how to reseal one of these larger tanks.

This tank is not going for show or anything like that. It's basically going to be a "garage tank" to grow plants for my other tanks.

Ya know, one of those extremely HIGH light tanks with co2.

Khandurian - Dec 14, 2006 - 08:07 PM
Post subject: RE: Tank Rebuild Redux!

Day 2

Well, it's been 24 hours since doing the first one. I see some bubbles in the seam. (cry) Their small so hopefully it will work out, I dont know. We will find out.

One side in place and the silicone's in place...

Pic of the seam

Tried to get a closeup, but it did not come out that well. Got some cleanup to do as well when it fully dries.

Being held together to show the rest of it.

Bud8Fan - Dec 15, 2006 - 08:41 AM
Post subject: RE: Tank Rebuild Redux!

Looking good !

ACableGuy06 - Dec 15, 2006 - 06:24 PM
Post subject: RE: Tank Rebuild Redux!

I have not done re done a tank yet, Have one to do soon...I was under the impression that you should do all the seams at the same time, due to cured silicone and fresh dont bond together well. And also I had seen that you should remove the tape while the silicone is still a lil tacky otherwise you will have to cut it out. Is any of this info correct?

Andrew

Khandurian - Dec 15, 2006 - 06:42 PM
Post subject: RE: Tank Rebuild Redux!

Quote:

I was under the impression that you should do all the seams at the same time, due to cured silicone and fresh dont bond together well.

I heard that as well, however, I spent alot of time on another forum, however, there was quotes from manufactures that silicone will bond to silicone cured, partly cured, almost cured. A guy built an 86 gallon(?) RIMLESS tank doing the same method I'm doing. So I figured if it worked for him it will work for me!

Quote:

And also I had seen that you should remove the tape while the silicone is still a lil tacky otherwise you will have to cut it out

You are exactly correct on this situation! I will have to go with a straight edge and cut the silicone along the tape line to be able to remove the tape.

Quote:

Is any of this info correct?

Yes, and no. You will get many, many, many, many, (did I say many?) many different opinions on the silicone. I'm just going by what I saw someone do successfully!

The tape situation is a preference thing! I am a very messy person. I cant help it! Really! I know it will be more work to cut the silicone and remove the tape. I just did not feel comfortable enough to remove the tape while the silicone was still wet.

Khandurian - Dec 15, 2006 - 06:56 PM
Post subject: RE: Tank Rebuild Redux!

Well, side 2 will have to be completely re-done. I do not know what happened, but it's full of so many bubbles it's scary! Up and down all 3 seams!

So Instead of wasting time removing that side I went ahead and started side 3. This one by far is the BEST looking seams I have ever done! They were 1000 times better than the first 2!

So heres a few pics.

This one is showing it held together. I will tell you this, next time I will SPEND the extra money and get better clamps. I just do NOT like these clamps!

I finally got a pic of the size of the seam. The seam is 3/8 inch!

The other seam on the piece done tonight

One thing I did learn while doing all this. You can over work silicone! I attribute this to the massive bubble collection on side 2. Smooth seams is my ultimate goal. Not size, how big or small, smooth seams. I have not found the trick to this yet, but i'm getting closer!

Khandurian - Dec 18, 2006 - 06:54 PM
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Well, the honey do list came first over the weekend, so I had to put the tank on hold! (figures!) Anyways, it's no longer the weekend (grin!)

All together!

Tape removed!

The last side is still drying of course!

Check out that seam! I finally figured it out!!

Definitely the best seam ever! (at least I think so!)

Water test in 3 days!!

Bud8Fan - Dec 19, 2006 - 08:16 AM
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Good luck on the water test !!!

atnixon - Dec 19, 2006 - 09:02 AM
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looks like a crackin job so far matey...hope the water testing goes well..

Niko

JoeHundredAire - Dec 19, 2006 - 09:17 AM
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Yeah, you've got my vote for FishGeek of the Month!

ACableGuy06 - Dec 19, 2006 - 09:48 PM
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Looks Good, thanks for the info, I will be re doing a 55 here soon hope it comes out as good.
Andrew

fogducker - Dec 19, 2006 - 09:57 PM
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looking good khandurian! thumbup

totziens - Dec 20, 2006 - 01:03 AM
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Good luck with the testing.....I admire that you have the patience and DIY ability Smile

Khandurian - Dec 20, 2006 - 11:27 AM
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totziens wrote:

Good luck with the testing.....I admire that you have the patience and DIY ability Smile

Patience? HAHAHA!!! thats funny!!

No, It's an escape route from the wife!!! shhh!!

totziens - Dec 20, 2006 - 08:59 PM
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Hahaha, you're funny, Khandurian!!! Hope your wife won't throw the fish tank on your head if she ever find out your "secret". Haha...

Khandurian - Dec 21, 2006 - 11:19 AM
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totziens wrote:

Hahaha, you're funny, Khandurian!!! Hope your wife won't throw the fish tank on your head if she ever find out your "secret". Haha...

Let me put it to you this way, It wouldnt be the first time! Nor the last! woman! BAH!

(no offense to any of those on here though! Very Happy

)

discusmad - Dec 21, 2006 - 11:52 AM
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in the past one of my g/f said "its me or the fish!"

I hope she found somebody that does not like fish as well LOL

fogducker - Dec 21, 2006 - 04:26 PM
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discusmad wrote:

in the past one of my g/f said "its me or the fish!"

I hope she found somebody that does not like fish as well LOL

Khandurian - Dec 21, 2006 - 06:45 PM
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Well, today is the day! Actually, its night time but who's really paying that much attention?

here it is just before I put the new trim on already has water in it! I'm holding the trim just so you can see it!

Here it is! In all it's glory?!?!

Well, as you can see there's no water spewing from the seams!!! This is a good thing! Now, it will just sit there for 3 days maybe 4 or 5 and see if anything slow/drip leaks!

Thanks for looking folks! I appreciate the kind words and helpful hints and tips. I will update if it slow/drip leaked or not!

Khandurian - Dec 22, 2006 - 12:40 PM
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Ok, for those of you also considering Re-Doing the seals, or building your own brand new, repairing leaks, etc. etc.

Please, take the time and go to The Planted Tank Building a 75g all glass tank and do some reading. He breaks down everything for you, the cost of alot of the items, some do's and dont's of the art of building a tank.

I got alot of usefull information from those 5 pages of information. One of the biggest helps was using the right angle braces. I did not show them in my pics, due to they had to be removed after the clamps went on to be able to smooth out the seams.

However, buy using those clamps, It made for true 90 degree angles, completely straight horizontally and vertically placed glass. Well worth the $8 US a peice for them. (plus they'll come in handy when your ready to make cabinets for your DIY stands!)

Enjoy some more reading!

totziens - Dec 23, 2006 - 06:52 PM
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Looks great, Khandurian. Aren't you worried about the trim getting wet and turns rusty? Perhaps the situation in US is not as bad as Malaysia - humidity is a big issue here. Even there's no water, the humidity will cause it to be rusty. I have to avoid anything that is made of steel here - unfortunately most of the affordable stands are all made of steel.

'in the past one of my g/f said "its me or the fish!". I hope she found somebody that does not like fish as well LOL'
- If you haven't found a fish loving patner. I am sure you can find some crazy ones around this forum ...hahaha...but don't mess around with married ones Smile

Khandurian - Dec 23, 2006 - 07:43 PM
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The trim is plastic! Very Happy

totziens - Dec 26, 2006 - 08:41 PM
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Cool, plastic!!! Shouldn't be a problem then.

Don't forget to post the picture after you have filled it up with fishes Smile