Probably cheaper to buy a new one (esp on sale at stores that regularly have 50% off); than to pay labor cost to have 'pro' reseal.

Can't comment on the DIY route as i've not done it myself.

 

Yeah, that’s what I kinda realized as I read more threads….I may try to DIY it and if that doesn’t work then get one new. It may be bad reasoning, but I don’t want to give up on this investment just yet! Thank you for the reply

I did the reseal on my 75 gallon. I hadn’t ever done it before either, but it wasn’t that hard. Tanner on Serpae Tetra YouTube does it all the time if you want search that out. Basically, trim off the old stuff (like you say, just be careful). Clean it, I used acetone. Lay down painter’s tape or some such so you can make clean lines. Use aquarium/pond safe silicone and do the entire inside in one session. Smooth it with your thumb (I wore plastic gloves). Let it cure for 4-5 days. My silicone tube said it would be good in 24 hours, but I wanted to be very sure so I gave it the extra time. I also put a line down the outside seams, but I didn’t do the underneath. It looked good so I didn’t mess with it.
Then do your leak test. Mine’s held up for 10 months now, so I can’t say beyond that, but I think it’s good.

okay, I definitely feel better that your first tank reseal was such a big one. I may as well give it a try - I do think I’m going to have to use black silicone…

 

I did the reseal on my 75 gallon. I hadn’t ever done it before either, but it wasn’t that hard. Tanner on SerpaDesign YouTube does it all the time if you want search that out. Basically, trim off the old stuff (like you say, just be careful). Clean it, I used acetone. Lay down painter’s tape or some such so you can make clean lines. Use aquarium/pond safe silicone and do the entire inside in one session. Smooth it with your thumb (I wore plastic gloves). Let it cure for 4-5 days. My silicone tube said it would be good in 24 hours, but I wanted to be very sure so I gave it the extra time. I also put a line down the outside seams, but I didn’t do the underneath. It looked good so I didn’t mess with it.
Then do your leak test. Mine’s held up for 10 months now, so I can’t say beyond that, but I think it’s good.

 

okay, I definitely feel better that your first tank reseal was such a big one. I may as well give it a try - I do think I’m going to have to use black silicone…

I know at least one custom builder that only uses black since it last longer. I don't quite understand as i always though black was just clear with black colouring but it appears there is an actual difference in the substance.

 

That’s really interesting! That makes me feel a bit better…however I’m now rethinking resealing because I’ve learned that tempered glass that is scratched can be really risky. And this tank has some scratches on the bottom and is apparently from 2002 according to the QC sticker….the sticker was hidden by the hoods and stuff that came with the tank 😬

 

Well, that gives me some cause for concern! Mine has many fine scratches, and I recently learned that it may be from 1999. Yikes!

 

With a quick search, it appears that fine surface scratches are not a problem, but both of our aquariums are very old. Time to start saving for a newer model I think.

 

That is good to know! I can feel some of the scratches with my fingernails but not on the bottom (tempered) panel…I think you’re right about the age thing…would feel a little better if I hadn’t just picked this up this week but I’ll see if I can resell this tank as a reptile enclosure or as a terrarium or something…

Is the dollar per gallon sale still a thing? It was only a few years ago I picked up 4 55 gallons at the dpg sale and set up a cichlid rack system.

The only time I ever had a tank that needed resealing I ended up just selling it to someone who had done many and wasn’t the least bit bothered. It was an expensive oceanic bowfront tank that I left dry for too long.

My personal reason for not doing it is the location for the tank was on a third floor so the potential for water damage was super high. Depending on where you are going to keep the tank just keep that in mind.

It would be indoors - my house is one level, and I have laminate wood floors. Other than the size of the tank, it feels like pretty much nothing about this tank is worth if. But now I know better!

Well my Bruins lost, so now I’m not even that annoyed by the tank situation…funny how life works!

 

Is the dollar per gallon sale still a thing? It was only a few years ago I picked up 4 55 gallons at the dpg sale and set up a cichlid rack system.

The only time I ever had a tank that needed resealing I ended up just selling it to someone who had done many and wasn’t the least bit bothered. It was an expensive oceanic bowfront tank that I left dry for too long.

My personal reason for not doing it is the location for the tank was on a third floor so the potential for water damage was super high. Depending on where you are going to keep the tank just keep that in mind.

 

Since my Bruins lost, I figured I may as well try a leak test (outdoors). It’s holding water so far - I am more optimistic than I thought I’d be about the prospects for resealing….

 

They are not that hard to reseal. If you don't want to give up on it reseal it. If you don't like the way it comes out, buy a new one and then you will have two!

 

I like the way you think! I really (perhaps it’s silly) try to reduce the amount of new stuff I buy for ~eco~ reasons, so I’m going to give it a go with this tank. I expect to move in the next 2-3 years when done with grad school (this tank is a present to myself as a reward for finishing the first chapter of my dissertation) so if I only get a few years out of it that’s fine!

Thanks for all your help and input @Kwyet @jake21 @GreenTerror and @reddhawkk

 

Been there, done that and when I was done I saw the same tank for sale for less than I had invested. But, I knew mine was well sealed. Was it worth it? Maybe.... it's a fair bit of time to remove all the surface silicone (to get the best seal and look). I'd probably do it again.

Assuming you have a razor blade, acetone and alcohol (or can pick that up cheap), the materials needed are not too expensive. I bought things off Amazon and used the Yobzuo 3 in 1 caulking tool ($14) and ASI aquarium silicone ($11-$12/tube). ASI has great glass adhesion. I found the tool handy for removing the old silicone and the smear pads in the kit great to get that perfect corner. So cost was about $30 with taxes for me, but you may need 2 tubes of sealant... and this also assumes you have a caulking gun. The finish job looked professional and the seal was perfect.

You do not have a lot of working time, so you need to plan your attack to make sure you don't smear over a corner that is starting to dry.
You can use the razor blade to do some edge clean up after.
Make sure you practice and do a bottom corner first where no one can see it.
I'd also suggest doing it with the tank on it's side so you are in the best position to get a good smear, and flipping the tank to do the other side. I found this the most comfortable.
There are some great videos on how to do it, and I gave mine a full week plus to make sure the cure was complete.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

Wait for the Petco Aqueon 55 gallon sale to come around again. It wouldn't cost much more than the materials you'll need (never mind the work and risk of doing it yourself).

 

If you have an Aqueon (previously All-glass) at 55 gallons or smaller, just don't bother. Now, if you have an old Oceanic tank, now that is a gem...

 

Update: My neighbor and I resealed and then cleaned the tank today! It looks great -- now I need to clean off the brace in the middle (it seems like it used to have a sticker on it, but it's structurally sound) and get a stand. I have a friend who does woodworking so I'm hoping to pay him to build me a stand. Normally this is a project my dad and I would do together the next time my family visited (we built my stands together when I kept fish as a teenager) but he's dealing with some chronic illness so won't be able to travel for the foreseeable future...if it were a smaller tank I'd be more comfortable building it on my own (or with consultations from dad lol) but for a tank this big I think it's best not to mess around. Plus I'd like it to look nice as it will be basically the first thing people see when they walk into my place.