s2minute
Community Member
Hi folks! Throwing this out there into the think tank 20 years or so I bought a 175 gallon Bow Front new from Oceanic. For all that time it served me without a single issue. RIP Oceanic, you made me a spectacular aquarium!
Last week however, it finally gave up the ghost. Right in front of me it started to leak out the bottom front…. And was quickly worsening. So I rerouted the plumbing and drained it. After I removed it from the stand, I made some calls. A gentleman that makes large public aquariums directed me to a product called DSR-5 silicone remover. This stuff is no joke. With some wooden shims and a few squirts, the bottom frame was off in just a few minutes. The TOP frame was quite a different story.
Apparently, Oceanic doesn’t want you to remove the top frame. For a good reason I imagine. Anyway, they did NOT use silicone to secure the top frame. They used some type of adhesive or glue because so far it barely budged.
I’ve used Mineral Spirits and Rubbing Alcohol so far with no luck. I’ve even used a floor jack and 4x4 wood to put upward pressure and let the weight of the aquarium work against it,( half the weight that is). Next I drilled pilot holes about 3” apart on the top of the frame so I can get the solvents in contact with the glass. Very, very little progress. Now, I’m trying Acetone.
Planet Aquarium makes them wholesale. Some of the people that worked for Oceanic making these aquarium’s now work for them. You can’t get much information on this topic from them. They seem to be a little cryptic about the whole thing. Anyways, I’m attempting to reseal this aquarium vs shelling out 8k + for a new Bowfront setup. Makes sense right? If anyone can help me solve this problem PLEASE chime in! What do I use to dissolve this adhesive they used? Thanks so much!
Last week however, it finally gave up the ghost. Right in front of me it started to leak out the bottom front…. And was quickly worsening. So I rerouted the plumbing and drained it. After I removed it from the stand, I made some calls. A gentleman that makes large public aquariums directed me to a product called DSR-5 silicone remover. This stuff is no joke. With some wooden shims and a few squirts, the bottom frame was off in just a few minutes. The TOP frame was quite a different story.
Apparently, Oceanic doesn’t want you to remove the top frame. For a good reason I imagine. Anyway, they did NOT use silicone to secure the top frame. They used some type of adhesive or glue because so far it barely budged.
I’ve used Mineral Spirits and Rubbing Alcohol so far with no luck. I’ve even used a floor jack and 4x4 wood to put upward pressure and let the weight of the aquarium work against it,( half the weight that is). Next I drilled pilot holes about 3” apart on the top of the frame so I can get the solvents in contact with the glass. Very, very little progress. Now, I’m trying Acetone.
Planet Aquarium makes them wholesale. Some of the people that worked for Oceanic making these aquarium’s now work for them. You can’t get much information on this topic from them. They seem to be a little cryptic about the whole thing. Anyways, I’m attempting to reseal this aquarium vs shelling out 8k + for a new Bowfront setup. Makes sense right? If anyone can help me solve this problem PLEASE chime in! What do I use to dissolve this adhesive they used? Thanks so much!
