siliconing a tank
 

I have a spare 40g sitting at my house and i just re did the siliconing but it still leaks, so I am going to scrape it all off and re do it. any tips for a clean seam?? and one thing I forgot, is there specific marine safe silicone?

Zach,yes, you have to use a marine silicone if I remember correctly, some silicones are toxic. Can't remember if picked it up at Rona or Animal House in Chilliwack, might have even been Home Hardware. I will do some checking if I get time during work tomorrow.:biggrin:

re silicone
 

If I recall marine silicone has mold inhibitors in it and they are toxic to fish.

You want to use GE Silcone I it is reef safe. If you live near United and Mary Hill By-pass and you aren't in a rush you can go to Sabic Polymers and get GE 1200 Silicone wich I beleive is stronger and reef safe.

silicone
 

Thanks guys. I didn't realize that until after I got it siliconed so now I have to re do it :p No, I live in Chilliwack, so unless i'm in coquitlam mary hill is a bit out of my way if I can find it at other places.:biggrin:

I used GE 1200 with great results. When it comes to prepping the seams to be sealed, make sure your scrape them down, and then use something to clean them further. I used acetone to clean all my edges, might not be the best stuff, but it worked. Once you're ready, make sure you use masking tape on all the seams back 1/2" or so from the edges, run your bead, smooth it out, and then rip the tape off. It will give you a clean looking job.

re
 

OK, thanks... So what do I use to smooth it out with?? Last time I kept getting left with stringy fibres going everywhere...

Put on one of those thin surgical gloves. Mechanics use them too.

re
 

so with the gloves just use my fingers to spread the silicone??

Ya you bet, when you smooth it over you want to get a little coverage onto the masking tape aswell so your edges look top notch. I will try and find you a couple pics of what we're talking about. You should be able to find gloves at canadian tire, rona, all the places for a half good price. If all else fails, "borrow" a pair from the first aid kit at work haha :redface: