Fixing a leak?

[Baelari]

So, I might be snagging a 55 gallon aquarium off craigslist for 20$ (if he hasn't sold it during the time it took me to see the new X-men movie), but he says it has a slow leak where the front panel meets the end panel. Pending the leak is far enough down for the drainage layer to leak, how do I repair it? If it proves too difficult, I suppose I could always get a reptile of some sort.

[Tony]

Scrape out the old silicone, it is important that it is completely removed, clean the area with denatured alcohol, then apply new silicone and allow it to cure.

[Baelari]

Do I scrape out the entire seam, or just the area around the spot that leaks?

[Baelari]

All the silicone has algae in it, so I think I'm just going to disassemble it all, and replace it. There's etching at the top, so I think I may put the walls in upside-down, so the etching is where my drainage layer will be. Is there any potential problems with this?

[Tony]

Resealing the entire tank will give you the best end result. There shouldn't be any problem with flipping the panels around as long as you can get it apart without breaking anything.

[Baelari]

I'm about 60% done scraping silicon off the inside, but the top rim is siliconed on very well. Is there an easy way to get the silicon to soften up?

[Tony]

No, unfortunately you are stuck cutting and scraping it out. A 5 in 1 tool is very helpful in removing the frames.

[Baelari]

Hmm... new thought: Instead of taking the panels apart, would one of those spinning buffers work for getting rid of the etching? One of my friends used one to clean the scratches from his car headlights.

[Tony]

It's worth a shot. I've never really tried because it is easy and cheap for me to just replace a flawed panel.

[Baelari]

I think it might be easier for me to just build an aquarium from scratch next time. I'll give the buffer a shot, since I can easily borrow one.

[Tony]

I think it might be easier for me to just build an aquarium from scratch next time. I'll give the buffer a shot, since I can easily borrow one.

It really is easier that way.