Opinions on re-sealing.

[rstar]

Just picked up a used 50gallon 36X18X18 9mm glass aquarium to replace my 40 gallon breeder (wanted the extra 4 inches height). The silicone seal on one of the corners is a little worse for wear and worn thin in a section about 3 inches long. Is it recommended to redo the entire seal? Can I leave the panes siliconed together and just cut out the entire corner (and bottom) seal and redo? Or do I have to pull all the panes apart and rebuild the entire aquarium? Below is a pic of just what I am talking about.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_6710.jpg

[The Grizz]

If the panes look sealed to each other & there are no air bubbles you can easily just cut out the cornor beads & reseal it.

[rstar]

Panes look well sealed, should I also cut out the bottom seal and redo the whole works so it all bonded together?

[The Grizz]

You might as well do the works while your at it.

[paddyob]

You must remove the old silicon before resealing it.

It's a patch and not a fix otherwise.

Silicon does not seal well over old silicon.

Leave the silicon between the pane, but all surface silicon should be removed.

Take your time and do it properly and you should be home free!

Good luck.

[rstar]

Thanks again for the advice. To go along with this, what are people useing these days to silicone an aquarium (time change and so do formulas) GE II windows and doors still work good?

[Aquarium_Medics]

Most household silicones now contain an antifungal additive. Personelly, I don't take the risk and purchase silicone that is rated for aquarium use. I feel it's better to pay the extra then find out the hard way it wasn't safe.

[BlueWorldAquatic]

I recommend GE1200, never had the problem with it

Ken

[The Grizz]

Don't use GE II apparently the formula has changed & it's not safe. I would also recommend GE SCS 1200 but if you can't find that I know Home Hardware has there own brand that states aquarium safe right on the front of the tube.

[rstar]

Excellent, I just happen to have a home hardware in the tiny community I live in!

[PFoster]

I would try and get the GE 1200. Its WAY stronger than the home hardware brand.
The Home hardware silicone will definately work (I have used it before many times) but if you are going through all the work of cleaning the silicone out of the old tank then you might as well seal it up with the best silicone possible IMO.

[Aquattro]

While the GE 1200 is stronger than regular silicone, it costs a bit more. When re-sealing, you aren't adding any strength, just a water seal, so you might as well just use regular silicone. GE I is still fine, and Home Hardware carries a brand that is safe for aquariums. It's labelled as 100% silicone, kind of a generic tube.