Re-Siliconing a Zoo Med

[itskris]

Have to re-silicone my Zoo Med.

Do I need to peel off all the old silicone, or just the loose stuff?

Kris

[Philsuma]

This is an "odd one", Kris.

I can't ever remember hearing about a silicon issue with ZooMeds or Exo's from anyone. Quality control has always been decent IMO.

Where exactly is the loose stuff located? Top, side, bottom, rear, front ?

Off hand...I'm gonna say pull it, remove it from anywhere except the very bottom where there will be an active or standing water resevoir.

...just odd, that it's that noticible and "bad".

[Philsuma]

also....a razor blade and scraper works wonders for a bunch of different uses in this hobby. You can easily use a razor blade to finesse the loose or excess silicone away from looking sloppy ect.

[itskris]

Bottom, back, right side. About an inch up it looks like the silicone was ripped off about 1/2-3/4 length.

I'll definitely be removing a good portion and re-siliconing the base portion of the viv. It looks like halfway up on that side the bead of silicone isn't even sitting in the corner and it is very very thin..

Almost as if they were on the end of the silicone and the worker just rushed to finish it.

[Philsuma]

Yeah, just re-silicone on your own - I assume you want to do some extra FF proofing too....

then just allow to thoroughly dry and after a couple days, take a razor blade / scraper to it and remove the excess and unslightly beads ect.

OH

and just to make sure before you start to hardscape that viv...PUT a bunch of water in it to test the holding. Gotta make sure that it holds water.

[JJuchems]

Clean glass and old seal area with isopropyl alcohol. I normally run a bead of silicone and create a smooth finished look by swiping the bead with an old gift card. Use the corner of the gift card, and the extra silicone will collect on the card and can be wiped off. This is a similar method to the caulk kits you can buy for home improvement projects.

[itskris]

Looks like it's begun

I'll post a pick up after I get the silicone off. After scraping it off the sides and inspecting the bottom silicone I decided to redo that part as well.

The bottom looks decent but I know I can do a better job. The front part of the bottom is the only concern I have. There is a section about 1/2" long that has no silicone in the corner. I do see it in the join itself but not protruding like you would see around the base of a bathtub.

I'm pretty decent with a caulk gun. Spent my highschool days working construction with my father. I'll post a pic once I get all the corners cleaned and taped.

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Supplies:
1. GE Silicone II - (GE5000)
2. Caulk Gun
3. Masking tape
4. Razor blades
5. Isopropyl alcohol
6. Rag
7. Rockstar...


Kris

[Philsuma]

Awesome !

Please post some progress pics when you get a chance.

[D3monic]

ummm, is GE II suitable for underwater? I would probably go with an aquarium grade silicone for that one. I know this aint a fish tank but if its going to be subject to standing water I would be leary of it holding.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... catid=3963

[Philsuma]

I think he's going to be supplementing or augmenting the Viv.

I don't think he's starting from scratch with Glass and GE.

[D3monic]

I know, but from the looks of it he scrapped off a bunch of the existing silicone. I guess it won't be so bad if its from the sides but if its from the bottom where most of the black silicone is located then I "Personally" would be leary.

[itskris]

I've actually been doing a lot of thinking about this while I've been scraping off the silicone. I am going to get an Aquarium grade silicone in the morning.

On the bottom I had to remove quite a bit as it just wasn't up to my standards and was coming up already in 2 spots, and completely missing. It just looks like they were on their last bit of silicone and rushed the job. Quite disappointed... But no worries. I'll get it fixed.

Finishing prepping the area tonight. Then tomorrow I'll lay down the Aquarium grade silicone after I pick it up from "Fish Tanks" in Dallas.

Kris

[Philsuma]

I just thought of something.... is this Viv, the same one that was "Silent Auctioned" ?

hmmmm....poor quality.....auctioned.....

[itskris]

Yup that would be the one.

Kris

[JJuchems]

I would go with a black silicone, it gives a nice look with the black trim.

[D3monic]

Que black caulk joke.......

[itskris]

All siliconed.

Man it was looking nice... Until I said to myself... "Self... I should fix that piece right here..." So I dipped my latex glove covered finger into some rubbing alchohol to smooth out a little 5" section... And it did GREAT... So I did it to another section...

...

...

...

... Looks

...

...

...Terrible.
Man does that stuff set quick... Literally less than 5 mins and touching up a little part was terrible...

Oh well. It will work.

[Philsuma]

"First Viv" syndrome. After a ton of reading and looking at other peoples builds and finished pics, you now have to try to fit those images into what will eventually be your first home-made viv.

This hobby can be frustrating at times but oh so fun, overall.

"Grown-in plantings, broms, woodfeatures and other hardscaping can cover a multitude of sins" - Mr. Miagi (I think)

[itskris]

Forgot to post that the re-siliconing is done.

Here is what I learned...

1. Don't tape the edges too close... Or at all... If you MUST tape then use masking tape and make sure that the tape is about 1/2" from the corner. That being said, my best looking edges had no tape when I did the siliconing.

2. While latex gloves and rubbing alcohol can help to smooth the bead, silicone set's really fast so you have to get smoothing as soon as possible. I suggest having two people. One to silicone and one to smooth the edge RIGHT after you finish siliconing.

3. It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be functionable.

4. Cut the caulk tube at a SLIGHT angle. Siliconing with a flat tip causes an actual bead. Siliconing with an angled tip helps to push the silicone down into the corner.

5. Too much is never a bad thing...

It's all siliconed up and water tested.

I'm off to start my build thread!

Kris


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