tank repair question

[DebsSisterFlo]

My 38 gallon is leaking at the top front right corner. I have aquarium grade silicone but what I need to know is, how do I clean the glass? If water can get out then chemicals can get in, but I want to get that icky stuff off of the glass so that the cilicone can seal up well. I'm letting the water evaporate and I'm not topping off so that I know that corner will be dry. I may even use a big wad of cotton to stuff in the corner on the inside to dry it well. Thanks

[Geoff]

Sorry, but i would just get another tank. the only other real option is to take the entire tank apart and rebuild the entire tank. the silly cone is not a sealant, it is actually holding the tank together. when it starts leaking, that means the silly cone is pulling apart somehow between the glass seam. the force of the water on the two panes will keep pulling the panes apart at the seam and keep leaking at best. the seam could just fail. just sealing it like you are suggesting will not help the seam. yes, it will stop the leak, but it will not keep the panes from pulling apart.

G~

[Casey]

Is it the actual seam or leaking under the rim?

[DebsSisterFlo]

I think it's leaking out from under the rim. It is just the corner that is oozing water, very very slow, and it happens when I top it off. The tank is all of 12 years old if that matters.

[Casey]

Well the tank is old if it is 12 so you could consider replacing it.Now if its just the rim which is real common you can drain it down some clean it real good with vinegar scrap off the old silicone and resilicone the underpart of the rim and let it cure for at least 24 hrs,if it is not the rim and is the seam really consider replacing the tank.MO

[DebsSisterFlo]

Thanks! I'll try that. I won't be replacing the tank if it comes down to that... even tho I'd want to! We have the 72gallon and my hubby won't be keen on buying another one... I'll get one in the future tho when we build our new house, I'm making plans for a built in 125g!!!!! He's all for that so I can wait.