Resealing Steal Frame question

[coolfish5]

I'm working on resealing my 15g steal frame. Just wanted to know if anyone could tell me if the slate bottom has to be removed prior to removing the side glass plates? It seems that they may be locked in by the slate bottom. Any info would be greatly apreciated, I'd like to restore this tank to being functional.
AIM= coolfish5
-John

[Chuck S]

I hvae never personally owned on but it seems to me that if that is what your seeing then that is what is correct! I would try and carefully remove all old silicone so you can carefully remove the slate bottom. This is going to be the trick since you could break this guy. You then need to carefully remove each side panel of glass. Everything needs to be cleaned of all old silicone if you are to properly reseal everything. You then clean the steel frame of all debris as well. The reseal and reseat all pieces.

How old is this tank? All this work for a 15 gallon must hold some value to you!

[coolfish5]

Its not so much the value of the tank, I just thought it would be a fun project and it looks prety neat. It'll end up a FW planted tank if I ever get it to hold water. The original sealant (not silicon) is holding the slate in still, and seems prety solid. I haven't a clue how to get this loose, razor blade won't cut the stuff.
-John

[Chuck S]

Is it a small leak