Putting water in a "Zilla Critter Keeper"

[deranged chipmunk]

You should be fine with that low amount of water. I have had my 40b filled halfway on a water test and saw no signs of distress in the tank.

[ejh805]

That's great, Bill

In your opinion, do you think I will still need to line where the glass meets with extra aquarium sealant? Or would it be fine how it is?

[deranged chipmunk]

I wouldn't reseal it. For a couple reasons, one is that resealing a tank is a sticky, smelly, pain in the butt. And not in a fun only on saturday nights way.....lol another is that you can't just put new silicone over the existing stuff. Silicone will stick to darned near everything EXCEPT previously cured silicone. Go figure. You would need to remove the old stuff and run new beads. Don't worry about the disclaimer that the sealant they use is not designed to be submerged, that is a cover their but disclaimer because their tank is cheaper than an aquatic tank of the same size and invariably some moron would buy it as a fish tank and flood their house, then sue Zilla. They do use 100% silicone, so it is safe. Post some pics of the build if you can, i want to pick up a pixie and would like to see how others set up for them.

[ejh805]

Haha buttstuff lol.

Anyways, that is very good to know! Will save me a lot of extra trouble and aquarium sealant.
I'll post pics as soon as I get things set up

[Kira Hudson]

i have my fbt in a zilla and it has never leaked

[flybyferns]

Hi Emily,
Bill is right ! You do not have to worry about adding some water to it ( a few inches is fine)
If you call Zilla, they will tell you the same thing.
They say this because they do not want people to use it as and aquarium ( for fish) .

You can even drill the sides. Not the bottom...... if I recall correctly -the bottom is tempered glass.
Lynn

[ejh805]

I got some glass cut today and I'm wondering how to best use the aquarium sealant, preferably from someone who has done it before.

All the store had was window pane thickness (1/8th inch) so I got 4, and I used something to "glue" them together and they are currently setting. This means 1/2 inch thickness, 17.5 inches long, and 5 inches tall. Placing it inside, it's long enough to hold itself up but not so tight that it puts a lot of pressure on the aquarium walls.

Anyways, I know that silicone won't adhere well to silicone, so how do I seal up the edges of the divider where it comes into contact with the sealant already in the tank?

Any and all advise is appreciated.

Thanks
Emily

[deranged chipmunk]

Run the bead in the tank first, then place the glass in position. Clean the seams with either your finger or a caulking tool. Don't worry where the silicone overlaps, that little bit will hold. There's not as much pressure on those seams as there would be with a full tank.