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I've been asked to re-build, re-seal, re-construct, whatever you wanna call it, basically put a leaky 200g aquarium back together. I will be posting pictures and procedures along this journey, just in case anybody wants to try something like this or have a few laughs at my expense. Stay tuned.

Well after using the inside measurements of the tank, 59L * 23W * 29H, it comes to 170 gallons. Still a bunch of water. I got 3 of the 4 original pieces scraped clean of old silicone. You wanna try and get as much of the old silicone off as possible as the new silicone won't adhere to the old silicone. Someone, not me, broke one of the ends during disassembly. So we have a nice new end piece. The bottom is left for tomorrow night as I'll have to remove some of the decorative frame. If you can see in the pictures, the glass has some etching from someone letting the water evaporate. I'm gonna use some cerium oxide and try to polish the etching out. Some edges have chips on them, so that will determine those edges become the top edge or not.

Great project. Stick to it!

Hope you have good help holding it up while you do the glue.

Well the creium oxide was a bust. I didn't see any noticable improvement after a half pound and half hour of polishing. Guess I'll move onto assembly.

An update, I got the 4 sides together tonight. In the pics, the top is actually the bottom. This way I can make sure all edges will be even with the bottom when I place it Tuesday. Now I don't seal the corners at this time, I just run a bead on the edges of the end pieces and clamp. That way after the bottom is attached and I turn it upside down to seal the inside, it's all one continuous bead.

Great plan. Hope it is super bond silicone. Lots of glass and lots of water pressure but they build these all the time and they do great.

Well we just set the bottom. The tub on top is full of to put pressure on the bottom. The clamps keep the pane from sliding on the tank. Unfortunately 2 of the tubes of silicone I was gonna finish up with, are dried out. So if anyone knows where I can pick up a 10oz tube of clear silicone locally, I'd appreciate it. Just let me know asap or I'll have to order it online. Here's a couple more pics.

ummm, there's this place you may have heard of called "Wal Mart".... naaa, I'm sure you havn't heard of it.. anyway, they carry the silicone, why would you order it?

Kyle

Corey,

I have used the clear GE silicone from Lowes, HD or WM. Just do a search online and you can be sure which type doesn't have the algaecide in it. There are many extensive discussions on which ones to use.

I've used the silicones sold at Lowe's and Walmart for tanks 30 gallons and under. And they work fine. If you've ever sealed an aquarium with the the 2 types, GE and say Marineland, you'll notice a difference in the texture of the two, they just aren't the same. I don't think the GE has the same bonding strength. So to play it safe and so the owners won't have 170 gallons of water on their floor AGAIN, I'm going with ALL-GLASS, Perfecto, or Marineland. jmo

According to what I am told, all the stuff you buy in the tubes specifically for aquarium use are actually made by GE and it is 100% GE 1 clear silicone. I have personally resealed up to 65 gallons myself with the GE 1 silicone and friends that have sealed up to 240 gallon tanks (that I am aware of) with no issues. I toured the Deep Sea Aquatics facility a couple years ago, wish I could remember exactly what they were using for their tanks. BTW, that is an awesome tour if you ever get the chance.. Kyle

One of our members in Tulsa is also rebuilding a 200 gallon tank.

The silicone arrived Friday while I was outta town. Unfortunately I reviewed the seems and there's one I don't like. Guess I'll be taking it apart and re-sealing. I'll post a pic of it so you know what I'm talking about.

Well got the seam sealed back up correctly. We're back on track for a test fill (half)Thursday night.

Well the tank is half full and holding. There's a couple of issues with the original end on this tank. The end has a chip out of the edge on the bottom as seen in the photo. I had to place it adjacant to the bottom because the other edge has a lot of flaring and wouldn't seal properly once filled. I'll finish filling it tomorrow night and see what happens.

Well there you go fish fans, the tank is full and not a leak anywhere. I filled it within 4" of the top last night and now to the top of the water line. Now I'll leave it until the owners decide to pick it up. Sometime after Tuesday. That way its been full for at least 4 days.

Well the owners picked up the tank last night.

I asked that they post pics once it's set up again.

Here's a pic of the tank set up. I would consider this rebuild a success.

Good job Corey!!!

Woohoo! Corey comes through again!