Rebuilding an Old Tank (Gasket Replacement)

[BenSalwen HansenYang]

Hello everybody. I'm new to the reef tank um... scene, and i'm trying to replace the gasket for a tank that's about 620L.

My question are: how do you do that!?
What is the gasket's exact function?
and is there anything important i should know?

THANK YOU!

 

[sagecx]

Do you mean the gasket on a bulklhead? if so I imagine you can just get a replacement at any place that sells bulkheads. Or you could just replace the bulkhead completely for around $8.

The gasket on a bulkhead seals the bulkhead making it water tight. When placing the gasket always make sure its on the correct side(the side with ...flange...i think thats the name).

Hope this helps a bit or at least i am talking about the same part as you.

 

[JohnK]

I'll assume you mean the silicone?

There are two different functional aspects to the silicone in glass tanks.
-First the structural seam is the thin (about 1/16") bead between the panes of glass. This holds the tank together.
-Second is the silicone smeared along the inside edges of the tank. This keeps the structural seam from being exposed to water (which degrades silicone over time).

The inner secondary seam can be sliced out, the glass cleaned really really well (acetone, razorblades, and steel wool) and then redone.

If the structural seam is damaged the entire tank needs to be taken apart, cleaned (think many, many hours of work) and rebuilt.