RESEALING RIO 190

In general, the more you try to neaten it up, the worse it will look, and the more likely it is to leak. Personally I'd let it properly cure, and then the most I'd do is carefully trim off any excess with a sharp blade. Remember once the tank is running you're going to have some stunning angels in there, so no one will notice, or look at, a slightly less than perfect bit of silicone rubber.

Pterophyllum wrote:In general, the more you try to neaten it up, the worse it will look, and the more likely it is to leak. Personally I'd let it properly cure, and then the most I'd do is carefully trim off any excess with a sharp blade. Remember once the tank is running you're going to have some stunning angels in there, so no one will notice, or look at, a slightly less than perfect bit of silicone rubber.

Yes I'll soften with nail polish remover first and try to scrape it off, using a ruler as a guide.

It will tidy up fine, as Rob has explained let it cure first. It doesn't need to be perfect, just watertight.

If you've got a good bead of silicone in there, leave it be.

It can be hard to know when to stop and as you'll have gathered, it gets a bit messy.

Don't knock your work, 80% is good for a first time

Dean

Deans_Angels wrote:It will tidy up fine, as Rob has explained let it cure first. It doesn't need to be perfect, just watertight.

If you've got a good bead of silicone in there, leave it be.

It can be hard to know when to stop and as you'll have gathered, it gets a bit messy.

Don't knock your work, 80% is good for a first time  

Dean

I'm just going to remove the excess.

I would have been more satisfied with 100%! The rest of the tank looks perfect. Just have to see if it's watertight when I fill it on Thursday.

I'm going to fill it in the shed and check for leaks for a week.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ysuofv9doko6pxk/AAC9jvQA3GLPAz6fgVnTJDbJa?dl=0

I've tidied up the offending corner and I'm really happy with the results which can be seen in the above link to pics.

Is 7 days long enough to check the tank for leaks? If it doesn't leak in that 7 days, how long is it likely to remain watertight?

I'd say 7 days is more than enough

Nice!

I concur, 7 days is plenty. Remaining watertight? Hard to say, but if the seal is good and no unforseen incidents should last years.

On a side note, I have more than one tank that the factory seams look like they were applied by a bunch of drunken monkies, and since you do such good work....

Is 7 days too long? I'm keen to set the tank up, but not really sure how long to check for leaks.

I have gone by three days myself.
I know some say a week,but I too get antsy.

frapadoodle wrote:I have gone by three days myself.
I know some say a week,but I too get antsy.

Thanks. I'll fill it Thursday and, all being well,  set it up Monday.

In theory it will either leak, or it won't, if it doesn't leak initially, it's unlikely to spring a leak after a few days. My only hesitation would be that you may get some splashing/condensation initially, which you don't want to mistake for a leak, and, if there were a really slow leak, it's possible that it would leak into the base trim and take a while to show.
Personally I think 3 days would be plenty of time to make sure your handiwork is sound.

Nice tank, is it for sale?

I've moved the tank to the shed and shrouded it with newspaper. Filled upto around 1/4 full with water. No apparent leaks yet. Yay. I will fill to 1/2 in an hour and check for leaks after an hour again. Finally I will fill to top and leave for 3 days.

Wish me luck.

Tank has been full for 3 hours and I'm delighted to say it's watertight so far. Whoopee

Well done!

The thickness of glass used in construction (if done correctly) is based on the level of the water and not necessarily the size / height of the pane, so don't overfill beyond what would be your normal working level because you'd be adding water pressure which wouldn't normally be there.

Up to about 12inch water depth there's not much going on, it's on the run up to 18inches and above when the glass starts flexing and joints are tested.

Also, water expands as it warms (only by a few percent) so allow a bit for that too.

Good luck!   hope it's on a flat level base.

Thanks Dean. It's filled to where I would normally fill, it where the top of the frame starts.

I've set the tank on carpet and flattened cardboard. I hope that's ok. My hubby will be checking the stand with a spirit level before we set it up in our living room.

Sounds like a good plan.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Got a reseal on a four footer myself. It holds water, but the silicone looks a bit dodgy, so out comes the scraper....oh joy.

frapadoodle wrote:Sounds like a good plan.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Got a reseal on a four footer myself. It holds water, but the silicone looks a bit dodgy, so out comes the scraper....oh joy.

Thanks.

Better to be safe than sorry with your tank. Good luck.

frapadoodle wrote:Got a reseal on a four footer myself. It holds water, but the silicone looks a bit dodgy, so out comes the scraper....oh joy.

Buy a new tank, it's easier - but not as satisfying as saying 'I did it myself'.

As this tank was free, you can't beat the cost, Deans. Silicone is off, now for clean up and reseal.
Framed out the cabinet last Friday, it was then I had to remind myself, why I like DIY.
It's a project for the showroom at work. As a "group" project, (read me doing most of the work). It might get done by Christmas.
On the upside, the chap who donated the tank has another four footer he is cycling. And he really wants Angels!

Sorry to hijack the thread, endlers. Is the tank still holding up?

frapadoodle wrote: As this tank was free, you can't beat the cost, Deans. Silicone is off, now for clean up and reseal.
Framed out the cabinet last Friday, it was then I had to remind myself, why I like DIY.
It's a project for the showroom at work. As a "group" project, (read me doing most of the work). It might get done by Christmas.
On the upside, the chap who donated the tank has another four footer he is cycling. And he really wants Angels!

Sorry to hijack the thread, endlers. Is the tank still holding up?

No problem.  I'm pleased to say the tank is watertight and housing 3 new Angels.  I've started an "Introduce Yourself " thread with pictures.

I just hope the reseal lasts for years to come.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/f1tnmym3z6sf5y4/AAAbHVMHCUPlVP1lZwA_GxVha

Good news on the tank being watertight.

excellent, I'm really glad it turned out well. Looking good in the photo's

Thanks both.

I don't think I'm destined to have a tank. Yesterday,  the Multilux packed in. It happened with my first Rio. Fortunately my hubby has the nohow to rig up an external  starter.  I've ordered a twin T8 Arcadia starter to use from Pets at Home.  The cheapest I could find, believe it or not!

My hubby will just remove the old end caps, cut the internal wires and remove the power cable.  He'll drill two small holes at either end to accommodate the bolts for the tube clips.  The most difficult part is getting my fingers inside the unit to do up the bolts on the clips.  I did this with the first Rio and it worked perfectly, just had to be careful not to dip the wires in water when moving lights to back of tank to clean.

The starter costs £32.80 in comparison with £100 for a new Multilux. With the Multilux reputation for breaking down I'd rather not bother replacing.