Aqua Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 I want to remove the ramp from a turtle tank, but leave the ledge in.. I've broken 2 scalpel blades trying to cut the silicon, and it's still too stuck for me to feel safe pulling on it! What's a household chemical I can use to help dissolve the silicon? I'm obviously going to put a good amount of water in the bottom of the tank so if the chemical leaks down, it won't eat the bottom of the tank!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 you can buy silicone remover from any hardware shop. I just use the blade from a stanley knife by itself, have you tried that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 My suggestion, Piano wire . Run it straight through the joint, nice clean cut. Shae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 I use a one sided razerblade, it is thinner and start where you can slide it between both bits of glass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqua Posted November 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 I did that with some scalpels, they're a helluva lot sharper than a stanley knife! :lol: So I'd have to go buy some silicon remover? I suppose that's best really, as I'll need to clean off the remnants as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 I use blades salvaged from used BIC razors, and use the hanld, trimmed down to push it thru the glue. Alan NZKA 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 I find that (if you can get an opening in the silicone).. that a thin wavy edged type knife as used for meat or bread works well. Gives you heaps of sawing action.. and with the addition of a bit of lube in the form of cooking oil.. it makes the job a breeze.. but you "still" have quite a bit of cleaning up to do when the sheets are apart. The paint scrapers with the Stanley type blade makes the next bit of cleaning up quite a bit easier. Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 On the same sort of topic, does anyone know if paint stripper will dissolve, weaken silicon? I've just removed old paint from the back of an old tank in preparation for a new colour using stripper, and i haven't got down on my hands and knees to inspect the joins yet to see if they're alright...... (leak test coming up this weekend :roll: ) If it rips through silicon, perhaps that might work Aqua????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 We got a tank that had a turtle ramp and ledge in it. We used the blade from a stanley knife, as suggested, and it worked a treat. the piano wire idea sounds pretty clever though... As for silicon remover, I'd be very careful to keep it away from the silicone you want to keep, as well as checking the toxicity to fish.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqua Posted November 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 The tank is totally empty at the moment BlueandKim, it's not going to have fish for a while yet! So toxicity won't be a worry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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