dling Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I've just finished building my second aquarium. I would love to know how to keep the air bubbles out of the silicone. My first build I did 3 times to tring to do this. This is new glass and a better adhesive( ge rtv 108 ) still I get air bubbles . Its so frustrating . Help. Link to comment
gulfsurfer101 Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I always tape up the seam I'm about to silicone leaving about 3/8" on each side of the seam and pour it on heavy and fluently. After that I use my finger to even out the bead using a rubber glove or plastic bag. The pressure from running your finger over the fresh bead should be enough to push out any air bubbles and after u Peel the tape off your left with one clean run. Now just let it dry n enjoy a beer. Link to comment
dling Posted October 7, 2012 Author Share Posted October 7, 2012 I always tape up the seam I'm about to silicone leaving about 3/8" on each side of the seam and pour it on heavy and fluently. After that I use my finger to even out the bead using a rubber glove or plastic bag. The pressure from running your finger over the fresh bead should be enough to push out any air bubbles and after u Peel the tape off your left with one clean run. Now just let it dry n enjoy a beer. Wife has camera till Tuesday.I will take some pics when she returns home from trip. Would you tell me if the tank's ok to use ? Thanks. The vids I watched make it look so easy.Just squirt a bit of silicone down 1 to 2 days later you have an aquarium. Link to comment
gulfsurfer101 Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I would let it cure for at least 72 hours then see if it holds for 48 hours before making any decision to go toward with the project. What are your dimensions and are you using bracing or going rimless. In the end the choice is yours if it's up to snuff. You are your own QC and it's your call but pics would help in assisting you to a better decision or with any problems that may occur. Link to comment
dling Posted October 7, 2012 Author Share Posted October 7, 2012 I would let it cure for at least 72 hours then see if it holds for 48 hours before making any decision to go toward with the project. What are your dimensions and are you using bracing or going rimless. In the end the choice is yours if it's up to snuff. You are your own QC and it's your call but pics would help in assisting you to a better decision or with any problems that may occur. 34Lx15Wx14H , Yes its rimless , no braces. Thanks. I will post pics first chance I get. Link to comment
eddiecorrea Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Small bubbles here and there aren't typically a big deal. It is very rare to have a tank that is totally without bubbles. If you have a patch that is one bubble from edge to edge I would worry. But a few TINY bubbles in a spot are most likely going to be fine. Link to comment
gulfsurfer101 Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Sounds like a pretty sweet tank, I built my my first tank when I was 14 with the help of my dad n uncle who had a 300g cichlid tank. It was massive and what got me into aquarium keeping. I went with the same dimensions as a 40br only difference is I added 4" to the height. It lasted over 8 yrs before it was tore down n stored away. As long as you have a good bead all around at every joined piece I don't see why it won't hold. Link to comment
eddiecorrea Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 300gal cichlid tank?! I bet that thing was epic. Link to comment
dling Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks guys. The bubbles are small and a used the Momentive silicone adhesive from GE . The RTV 108 . It's supposed to be very strong. Link to comment
dling Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 Were are some pics of my tank seems. I just filled it and the seems look like this. Its just in a couple of places and not all of the seem.Whats going on? Temp difference between glass and water ? Link to comment
Jacob042426 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thanks guys. The bubbles are small and a used the Momentive silicone adhesive from GE . The RTV 108 . It's supposed to be very strong. is it 100% silicone with no mold inhibitors? Link to comment
dling Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 is it 100% silicone with no mold inhibitors? Yes. It's the ge momentive rtv 108 adhesive silicone. Link to comment
albertthiel Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Were are some pics of my tank seems. I just filled it and the seems look like this. Its just in a couple of places and not all of the seem.Whats going on? Temp difference between glass and water ? No leaks ? Just a few bubbles here and there? Are any running nearly from one end to the other end like a "=" type bubble ...or missing silicone ? Link to comment
dling Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 No leaks ? Just a few bubbles here and there? Are any running nearly from one end to the other end like a "=" type bubble ...or missing silicone ? No its just the discoloration that worries me. Link to comment
gulfsurfer101 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Looks like loose ends, next time just use masking tape a half inch or so away from all the seams and after you lay your final bead down and work it all out Peel off the tape. It'll eliminate that leaving you with a really clean look. And yes that tank was epic, I cut so many yards to pay for that glass to build my mini tank compared to that monster. Link to comment
albertthiel Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 No its just the discoloration that worries me. You could use a ruler against the silicone and a razor blade to cut the loose ends off Link to comment
gulfsurfer101 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 ^^^^ THIS^^^^ prolly the only thing u can do at this point. Link to comment
Kid03 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 ^^^^ THIS^^^^ prolly the only thing u can do at this point. Or start over with black glue! Link to comment
dling Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 You could use a ruler against the silicone and a razor blade to cut the loose ends off So the ruler is to give a straight cut to remove the ends ? I will look into this tomorrow. I get up at 3 am which means early to bed. I need help. Thanks all. David Link to comment
gulfsurfer101 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Or start over with black glue! Black silicone is definitely sexy on a rimless! Link to comment
dling Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Or start over with black glue! How would using black silicone make this better ? Is it easier to work with ? You could use a ruler against the silicone and a razor blade to cut the loose ends off Albert have you done this before ? How hard is it to add a end when the front and back are in place ? Link to comment
dling Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 I'm also wondering if it's the way I'm doing my build that's making it harder on me. I have chosen to put the front,back and sides around the bottom instead of glued on the bottom. Link to comment
Kid03 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 IMO black silicone wont be any easer, but it does look cool! When I built my pico, I have all 4 sides resting on the bottom pane of glass. iball thread and many others have step by step photos on how to build a tank. This can also help, just use your own LWH for your tank. http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp Hope this helps Link to comment
JamieSheffield Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 So glad that I saw this thread...I'm actually planning on trying my hand at a DIY tank this weekend. Thanks NR! Jamie Link to comment
dling Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 IMO black silicone wont be any easer, but it does look cool!When I built my pico, I have all 4 sides resting on the bottom pane of glass. iball thread and many others have step by step photos on how to build a tank. This can also help, just use your own LWH for your tank. http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp Hope this helps Thats very similar to what I did. I laid a 1/4 bead of silicone down. I just dont understand what happened. Link to comment
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