I know we have several people who have built their own tanks. I was curious if there was a general rule for tubes per foot or what ever for a build. Trying to figure out how many tubes to buy for my build of the 10 oz rtv 108. tank is 48x48x20
Tubes of silcone per foot of tank build?
- Thread starter akunochi
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Herefishyfishy
Smart Bass
Depends on the thickness of glass. An 1/8" nano would take less than an ounce for the entire job
1" thick plate for a Monster display could use an ounce up in one foot...
1" thick plate for a Monster display could use an ounce up in one foot...
Buy a few extra tubes as you can always return. I like to make my seams with painters tape. I tape my margin and then lay a fat seam. With my finger I make a radius all nice and smooth like. When the ream becomes tackly I pull the tape. Excess or mistakes on the display side of the tape can be removed with a razor. FYI, I am 1 of 2 on reseals. I did not know that the 120 (2X2X4') had a blown seam until after I took the bottom off.
As an aside, is 108 the home depot stuff or the good construction material that serious tank builders use? I would love to be using it but I though I had to get a case. I can come up with $15 a tube if you have a few extras.
As an aside, is 108 the home depot stuff or the good construction material that serious tank builders use? I would love to be using it but I though I had to get a case. I can come up with $15 a tube if you have a few extras.
Check with Grainger as they have stores/warehouses around the area. Looks like it is 8.88 each tube.
Silicone, Clear, 10.1 Oz - Sealants - Thread and Gasket Sealants - 4UH12 : Grainger Industrial Supply
108 is the good stuff in black. 108 has a tensile strength of adhesion of 400 psi and tensile of 40psi (Or vice verse) and SCS1200 as a 470 and 40 rating.
Kraken I will be taping the seams to get nice lines I just have no idea how many tubes to buy. I don't want to buy 40 and need 15.... ya know....
Kraken I will be taping the seams to get nice lines I just have no idea how many tubes to buy. I don't want to buy 40 and need 15.... ya know....
mfinn
Surgeonfish
I used about 3/4 of a 10oz. tube for a 30" x 20" x 20" tank.
I do have a extra tube of the RTV 103 and may have a extra tube of the 108, if my water test works out.
I do have a extra tube of the RTV 103 and may have a extra tube of the 108, if my water test works out.
Herefishyfishy
Smart Bass
Depends on the bead size which is a preference. You get 50 feet of 3/16" bead.
Obviously you will use twice that plus, so count on 20' per tube
Obviously you will use twice that plus, so count on 20' per tube
mfinn
Surgeonfish
Herefishyfishy
Smart Bass
mfinn
Surgeonfish
good link.
mcoomer
Who's your daddy?!?
RTV 103 or 108 is definitely the good stuff but when I did my reseal job I didn't wait for it to tack up at all before pulling the painters tape. I put it down, smoothed it, and pulled the tape right away. The formula has very little, if any, slump so I wouldn't worry about your seams sagging after pulling the tape.
BTW...next tank is going to be a shallow reef and is getting the black RTV treatment. I don't know why but I've always thought that smaller tanks and cubes look super sharp.
Mike
BTW...next tank is going to be a shallow reef and is getting the black RTV treatment. I don't know why but I've always thought that smaller tanks and cubes look super sharp.
Mike
