Marine Tank Reseal / Repair (Reputable Trustworthy Installer) URGENT

Hi Guys,

I'm not entirely new here, been reading a lot but not contributing. Needless to say I signed up this morning.

I have a boyu marine tank that I use for freshwater. I don't recall the model but its 1.5m in length and its a rimless 15mm glass tank.

I discovered one of the seals is splitting (Thankfully no leaking yet) but as everybody knows its only a matter of time.
The place I bought the tank has offered to repair it but I'm concerned they will not redo all the seams and only fix the seam that is broken.

Can anyone recommend a trustworthy installer in Johannesburg that could assist me?
I would at this stage rather pay someone and know the job was done right from the beginning in this "stressful" time.

I have already removed half the water for the moment but any recommendations on reputable persons who can repair would be appreciated.

 

I hear you, the shop has offered a loan tank and they will take the tank away for repairs (for free) but Im just concerned they do a patch job and not reseal the entire thing. Im considering going to go buy a emergency 3 or 4 foot tank and doing the work but the glass is about 200kgs.

At least I know it will be done right If I do it, I just don't have the time right now and would prefer someone who can repair it and also remove a scratch from the tank, and also I have no means of transporting this size of tank.

Edit: I live close to the aquarium centre on rifle range and was thinking of getting an emergency tank from there.

 

My wife wont be happy but yes, the DIY route seems to be a good option.
Funny story, I was thinking of getting a small tank for our bedroom so I guess the emergency tank will come in handy once its done being an emergency solution.

Any recommendations on a good marine silicone brand?

Ill call a few places this afternoon and see if I can get a ballpark figure and keep you guys updated.

 

If I were you, I'd do the diy thing...after getting that backup tank of course...
It really isn't that difficult to redo an aquarium, the biggest pain is stripping it and cleaning off all the old silicon. When stripping it, first cut away the beading on the inside with a stanley blade ( carpet knife blade without the handle - pretty hard on the fingers), then use an old tape measure to cut the silicon between the 2 glass panes, scrape the old silicon off with stanley blade, make sure you have plenty blades, masking tape, duct tape and maybe some long clamps to hold the panes together when silicon is setting. Thinners works well to clean off any traces of old silicon, just clean properly to remove all traces of thinners before re sealing.

 

Yes, everyone is telling me its a skill I need to acquire (resealing) its just really bad timing!

So, my options are:
1. Let the seller take it and repair it (Possibility that only the one seam is repaired)
2. Redo all the seals myself (My concern here is I would want to redo the entire thing and two people have told me its a bad idea)
3. Find someone willing to reseal for me and pay them. I have gotten a ballpark figure but they do not recommend redoing the whole tank, just repairing the seam and add a strip of glass (Guy has 15 years experience and assured me he has never had any come backs after a repair)

 

-Good thing about option 1 is that it is not going to cost you anything, except transport? and if it fails again they will be liable ...again
-The DIY thing is rather daunting, if you are unsure, skip it as it is loads of graft and difficult if you have no experience, NOT impossible though... I might be convinced to give you a hand in exchange for petrol money and a braai, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty , Brits to JHB is not too far to travel for a braai and some diy'ing..
-I'm going to disagree with option 3 and just doing the repair, (even though I've done this before myself) the issue I have with that is that it is a structural failure, you really need that bond between the 2 surfaces, not just a patch...it may work but it is something that you cant hide, the strip of glass stuck to the back or side of the tank is always going to be visible in your tank, also there are going to be places where old and new silicon have to come together and new silicon wont adhere properly to cured silicon ..Just my 2c, stripping and re doing is most likely going to be best and also most expensive but if it is a nice display tank, you want it to stay that way

 

The person told me the glass could chip when removing all the panels and the seal would not be as strong as the original strength.

Im leaning towards redoing myself, as daunting as it may be, because the people that sold it and installed it, installed in in a way which wasnt level. I still made a fuss about it but they said it is fine and I trusted them. I also dont have a receipt of the purchase, only photos and a bank statement with the purchase.
If I cant trust them to install properly, I hardly think I should trust them for a repair as the last thing I need is a flood in my office where the tank lives.

If anything, Ive learnt a valuable lesson here. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is!

 

Always nice to help a fellow fishkeeper... but first get that backup tank, cheers to the start MTS!

 

Yes, Sadly its my own stupidity. I should have asked for a receipt and I should have done a lot of things differently like get a professional to install the tank instead.

I really appreciate all the help and comments so thank you to everyone.