Re-Sealing Aquariums?

[invadertoast]

Can anybody give me some advice in re-sealing an old aquarium?

I bought an antique 29 gallon slate bottom tank (the kind with the chrome frame) about three years ago and always kinda planned on fixing it up. I had my leo girls in it when I first got it, but it's been basement bound for a while now. I finally got off my butt about re-sealing it for fish today when I got an awesome deal on a stand for it.

Now, I've read to scrape off all the old silicone, clean it with rubbing alcohol, apply new silicone, and smooth with your finger/rubbing alcohol. It all seemed fairly simple and straght forward, most of the old silicone was already missing, but I'm having a heck of a time getting some of the old sealant off of the slate bottom... I have most of it, but it got to the point where I got frustrated enough to give up on it for now. Has anybody done this before???

I'm a sucker for antiques... and chrome... I really want to get this thing up and running

[Wild Bill]

Yes, scraping old silicone is a pain in the butt. LOL!! It takes time, do a little here and there. But take your time and make sure you get it cleaned up well. If you don't and reseal over old silicone your chances of a leak are pretty good. Good Luck!!

[Ginevive]

Hm.. I have an old 10g chrome tank with a slate bottom. It holds water pretty well, but I don't really trust it; no silicone. I tested it in the bathtub and it held overnight, but still I am paranoid about leaks How's the sealing of that tank going? I haven't ever seen one that big in chrome, just 10gs.
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