crack repair

[rocketeer]

Looking for opinions.

my 240 cracked in the end panel near one of the upper corners, diagonally toward the center of the end face. The crack traveled to a bulkhead hole and stopped but I don't trust it.

I've read a few websites that say you can cut the silicon with a razor blade and remove the panel, clean things up, and glue in another panel. This sounds good. While the tank is removed from it's base I'll double check it for flatness...

I have two concernes about the gluing process I was wondering if any of you gurus can address.

1. The Dap Aquarium sealant says 100 percent silicon. Everybody says use 100% silicon. This particular tube says not for aquariums over 30 gallons nor for water depth over 18 inches. Is there a better choice locally? I doubt aquarium volume is important but my height is 24 inches.

2. They say silicon doesn't stick to silicon. But multiple sites say to just scrape the glass with a razor blade to clean the old silicon off. I'm concerned about leaving any residue, and then having a bad joint. Can I chemically strip it with anything?

Thanks,
Jack

[prof]

Mineral oil will remove silicone. Scape as much off first as you can then clean the surface with mineral oil.

[captexas]

I scraped off some silicone from a 29g tank I had used as a sump hoping to turn in it back into a display tank. I only used alcohol to get off the silicone residue.

[matt]

Oh man this is one I personally would be afriad to do, but I guess if you leak test it outside be sure to bring a video camera in case there's a spectacular moment!

You might try heading over to aquatrends and talk to the guy who actually makes the tanks; he doesn't speak much English, but even if you don't speak Spanish you'll have an easier time talking with him than with the owner, Toy. Anyhow, you could show him the tank and I bet he'd be able to fix it.