How many tubes of silicone?

kamikazi · 11-21-2012, 02:38 PM

I tried to get an a answer in the DIY section without and luck.

I have an older 75 gallon tank I'm considering resealing. If I do I will be using RTV 108 sealant.

How many caulk gun sized tubes would I need for resealing a 75 gallon tank?

BruceF · 11-21-2012, 03:19 PM

One!

kamikazi · 11-21-2012, 03:35 PM

I'll get two just in case I mess up they aren't expensive. Plus if I don't use it I might need reseal something else in the future or use it for building decor.

driftwoodhunter · 11-21-2012, 05:52 PM

I can't imagine using only one tube to reseal a tank that size, but I'm a worry-wort - there are numerous youtube videos on tank builds, maybe they can help? In any case I think you did the smart thing by getting two tubes. Besides all your glass joints you will have to run corner beads inside the entire tank.
Good luck, keep us posted!

In.a.Box · 11-21-2012, 06:02 PM

1 if ur doing small beads.
I use 80% of a tube on a 30g.
Don't be cheap go with bigger beads.

KH2PO4 · 11-21-2012, 06:29 PM

I built my 90g with 2 tubes of 10.1 Oz RTV108.
Actually, there was half a tube left.

AVN · 11-21-2012, 10:05 PM

I built 5 55-65 gallon tanks with 2 tubes. No leaks. No idea why you guys use so much silicone, it's professional strength.

**xmas_one** · 11-21-2012, 10:11 PM

Using more doesn't make it any stronger. Silicone is extremely weak in shear (that big blobby radius so many think is adding strength), and very strong in tension (the butt or end joints).

KH2PO4 · 11-21-2012, 11:58 PM

Yes, it could be less but...

Because I'd never built one before. And I wanted it rimless,
with 4 sides embrace the base (ADA & German style), not sitting on it.
The glass sheets I got were a bit off in size (1-1.5 mm).

So I couldn't just make some beads of silicone then putting together the glass sheets.
I had to pre-positioned all the sheets, pre-adjusted them to compensate for the imperfections
and secured them in place. Then I injected silicone into the spaces in between the sheets.
Quite wasteful since most of it was on the masking tapes and removed.
But I was satisfied with the result as the first aquarium I'd ever built.

DogFish · 11-22-2012, 12:22 AM

I got into the 2nd tube when I built my 42Rimless. But, being my 1st attempt I could have been more precise with my Silicon skills.

Buy, two to be safe.

11-21-2012, 02:38 PM	#1
kamikazi Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnton, NC Posts: 2,246	How many tubes of silicone? I tried to get an a answer in the DIY section without and luck. I have an older 75 gallon tank I'm considering resealing. If I do I will be using RTV 108 sealant. How many caulk gun sized tubes would I need for resealing a 75 gallon tank? __________________ Frat. of Dirt #3 My YouTube Channel Walstad Bowls Blackwater Paradise Expansus 15 Gal. Office 29 Gal. Blackwater Paradise 40 Gal. Crypt Utopia

11-21-2012, 03:35 PM	#3
kamikazi Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnton, NC Posts: 2,246	I'll get two just in case I mess up they aren't expensive. Plus if I don't use it I might need reseal something else in the future or use it for building decor. __________________ Frat. of Dirt #3 My YouTube Channel Walstad Bowls Blackwater Paradise Expansus 15 Gal. Office 29 Gal. Blackwater Paradise 40 Gal. Crypt Utopia

11-21-2012, 05:52 PM	#4
driftwoodhunter Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (23/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Christiansburg, Va Posts: 2,758	I can't imagine using only one tube to reseal a tank that size, but I'm a worry-wort - there are numerous youtube videos on tank builds, maybe they can help? In any case I think you did the smart thing by getting two tubes. Besides all your glass joints you will have to run corner beads inside the entire tank. Good luck, keep us posted! __________________ *The Fraternity of Dirt # 7* **- Daughter of the Dirt - Canon Club #018 Twin 29g Dirt Tanks on an Iron Stand - DIY 3D Backgrounds http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...stand-pic.html The Behemoth - 125 dirt tank** http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=199772

11-21-2012, 10:05 PM	#7
AVN Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15/100%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,065	I built 5 55-65 gallon tanks with 2 tubes. No leaks. No idea why you guys use so much silicone, it's professional strength. __________________ [Secret Entrance]

11-22-2012, 12:22 AM	#10
DogFish Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ChicagoLand Posts: 5,202	I got into the 2nd tube when I built my 42Rimless. But, being my 1st attempt I could have been more precise with my Silicon skills. Buy, two to be safe. __________________ ToxicTen/DogFish's 40/Aquaponics for Vegans

11-21-2012, 03:19 PM	#2
BruceF Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Centennial,Co Posts: 548	One!

11-21-2012, 06:02 PM	#5
In.a.Box Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,119	1 if ur doing small beads. I use 80% of a tube on a 30g. Don't be cheap go with bigger beads.

11-21-2012, 06:29 PM	#6
KH2PO4 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 245	I built my 90g with 2 tubes of 10.1 Oz RTV108. Actually, there was half a tube left.

11-21-2012, 10:11 PM	#8
xmas_one Custom User Title (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 2,060	Using more doesn't make it any stronger. Silicone is extremely weak in shear (that big blobby radius so many think is adding strength), and very strong in tension (the butt or end joints).

11-21-2012, 11:58 PM	#9
KH2PO4 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 245	Yes, it could be less but... Because I'd never built one before. And I wanted it rimless, with 4 sides embrace the base (ADA & German style), not sitting on it. The glass sheets I got were a bit off in size (1-1.5 mm). So I couldn't just make some beads of silicone then putting together the glass sheets. I had to pre-positioned all the sheets, pre-adjusted them to compensate for the imperfections and secured them in place. Then I injected silicone into the spaces in between the sheets. Quite wasteful since most of it was on the masking tapes and removed. But I was satisfied with the result as the first aquarium I'd ever built.

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