question about tank silicon seal

[Sinister Reef]

I had bought a 55 gallon yesterday. It's a used tank, and the owner said they never ran any copper base treatment in the tank. He said it was used as a freshwater tank. I got for $20

The silicone in the four corner is turning yellow and becomeing brittle. and the silicon at the bottom looks good still.

My question is this. should I remove the old silicon from the 4 corners and apply fresh silicon. or would I need to apply fresh over what is there now.

this tank I need to clean it with water, but other than the silicon the glass look greats there is no cracks, chips, and scratchs in the glass.

 

[savethesharks]

be careful with that. My tank seal broke through during the cycling process. I used an old tank which already had leaks, and I didn't do a great job resealing it. One late night I heard water running and was completely bummed out. I had already made a custom canopy to hold my 250 watt M H. So I found a store online called age of aquariums, where they have a bunch of dimensions of different tanks. I got my tall 30 gall. for under 50 bucks. The old tank's glass was a bit cloudy so in the long run, I'm glad I have the new clean one.

 

[MechaSamurai]

I wouldn't play around with old silicone, if it leaks or blows apart it will ruin your day. Do your research online and if you need to pay a professional/expert to replace it. Just weigh the $40 that it might cost vs. cleaning 55gallons of saltwater, dead fish, sand and expensive dead coral out of your floor.

 

[Sinister Reef]

well I'm planning on after i replace the silicone, take the tank over to my dad's house and fill it up and let it set for couple of days and go over there each day to check on it. this tank will be use for a sump for my future 90 reef setup. this tank still have it's sticker on and the manufacture date on it is apr 20, 1987 made by All-Glass Aquarium

 

[MechaSamurai]

That is a good name brand but after 22 years that silicone is either toast or it has already been replaced (at least once). When you leak test, it some people recommend adding something (salt?) to the water so it is easier to see if there is a tiny/slow leak.