How to Reseal a Leaking Aquarium

Resealing a fish aquarium with new silicone is fairly easy. Most of the work goes into the process of removing all the old silicone and prepping the glass for the new silicone. First, start by peeling out all the old remaining silicone in the fish tank. Second, use a flat razor blade to ensure you get all the silicone residue off the glass. Third, use acetone to remove remaining residue and oils from the glass. Finally, apply new bead of aquarium grade silicone and allow 24 hour dry time.
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Can a leaking aquarium be patched or repaired?
A leaking fish aquarium cannot be patched but the entire tank can be resealed with new silicone. Silicone does not re-adhere to old silicone and thus is why we need to remove all the old silicone and replace with new silicone. So if your aquarium is leaking you have to just remove all the old silicone.
Step 1: Remove Old Silicone from Aquarium
Using a flat razor blade you need to get the blade in between the glass and the silicone. Slide the flat razor blade back-and-forth and allow the blade to cut the silicone away from the glass. Try to remove the silicone in sections.
Step 2: Remove the Silicone Residue from Glass
After you have removed the silicone beads from the pains of glass we now have to remove the residue that the silicone left behind. It may be difficult to see but there’s actually a residue that’s left behind from the silicone. Using that flat razor blade carefully scrape away all of the residue that silicon left behind.
Step 3: Clean and Vacuum Pieces of Silicone
Now that you have removed all the silicone and residue on the glass we need to clean everything up. Use a vacuum to suck up all the small pieces of silicone left behind from cleaning. We do not want any of this old silicone mix with the new silicone we are adding to the tank.
Step 4: Degrease Glass with Acetone
Next we need to clean the glass with acetone to remove oils and degrease it. For a small amount of acetone onto a paper towel and gently clean all the scenes where the old silicone used to be. This will remove all oils and waxes from the glass and make it ready for our new silicone to be applied.
Step 5: Apply New Silicone to Aquarium Seams
Cut the tip of the new silicone and use the caulking gun to apply to the seams. Apply new beads of silicone to the same locations in which you remove the old silicone. You can use masking tape to insure you don’t get too much extra silicon where you don’t want it.
Step 6: Allow 24 hrs for Silicone to Dry
Place your freshly silicone aquarium in room temperature for 24 hours to dry. After the dry time is completed fill your aquarium with water to test it for any leaks. After your aquarium has passed the leak test you can then fill it with water and go about having it as a normal fish aquarium again.
Timestamp
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Can I Patch or Repair Leaking Aquarium?
0:51 - Supplies Needed to Reseal Aquarium
1:14 - Remove Old Silicone Using Flat Razor-blade
1:40 - Methods of Cutting of Silicone
2:00 - Be Patient and Take Your Time Prepping
3:26 - Cleanup and Vacuum Old Silicone
4:10 - Remove Silicone Residue from Glass
4:55 - Wipe Glass with Acetone to Remove Oils
5:56 - Apply New Silicone Using Caulk Gun
7:50 - Smooth Bead of Silicone with Fingers
8:10 - Allow New Silicone 24hrs to Dry

[@PalmerFishTalk]

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[@tofubutcher7456]

First video I've seen that's been honest about how frustrating and time consuming the silicone scraping is lol

[@Stu_DLNGR]

Great vid!!! Very thorough. Acetone on your bare skin is super healthy! Especially if you use it on a regular basis. I am a graffiti writer/artist and also caulked for a living in a union setting. Wear gloves. But acetone will also eat gloves after time. Better than your skin and better than it osmosing into your bloodstream. Numtumbout. Peace

[@newerafrican]

Thanks for the demo!

[@karlabonilla9787]

So happy I found your video! I was gonna just put silicone OVER the old silicone because I thought I had to take all pieces of glass apart, tape them together (hopefully straight) THEN RESEAL. LOL this video was so helpful I'm doing my 55 gallon today! 👍🏻 😃 Thanks!!!

[@MakoyUnggoy]

I'm doing my 3rd one today, hope yours is still in one piece and leak free?!

[@computerguy7213]

just getting back into Tropical fish. I had fish back in my pre-teen years. I worked in a tropical Fish store when in jr High. Its one of the last original left in my area. I had a 55 gallon back then and a few 20 gallon. The other day I got a 55 gallon with a wrought Iron stand free on craigs list. Cleaned up and painted the stand and I am re-sealing the tank. I think the tank is from the 70's, so yeah it needs sealing.

[@gavinstatikgoddard4340]

Great video as always. It's a good practice when buying 2nd hand tanks to re-silicone just for peace of mind

[@MidnightBloomer420]

Wish I read this sooner. 😢😂😅

[@SamKitzOutdoors]

Hi. This video really helped me make a plan. I am buying an aquenon 75 gallon tank. The issue though is that I don’t quite trust the silicone seal from all the bad reviews on leaks, so I will be resealing the tank. I am still buying this tank as it is very inexpensive l. Thank you for the help.

[@MagnaRads]

If it's brand new I would leave it alone

[@morganknight7419]

Did you have good results? Im considering doing the same thing

[@dylanjohnston7644]

Good idea. I got 3 years on my 75 gallon aquenon and then it failed badly and started leaking out of the bottom. Currently resealing.

[@kodyallen9121]

@@MagnaRads I second that. If it’s brand new just leave it alone cause it already went through quality control , and I’d imagine since putting tanks together is what they do for a living , just use it as is . However if it’s a large tank and it’s been used already and the silicone is basically only in between the sheets of glass and the whole other bead is gone from glass to glass then redo it for sure . I bought a 125 cheap , a 15 year old got it for birthday and unloaded it from truck him self , took it inside , and got it up on its stand by himself , well he was dragging and twisting it and it must’ve pulled apart cause they said the bottom had a leak so they sold me the stand and tank , brand new , for 150 bucks . In that case taking all the silicone off and rebuilding the tank is the option , it’s easy on small tank , but not needed really , but on big ones by yourself , you realize just how fast that silicone will set up and you got one good shot to do it right or you gotta redo it again , not saying it’s hard , just if you’ve never done the silicone before and the tanks brand new , just leave it be

[@spencerhoward3100]

Just bought the same 75g and it's leaking hence me watching this video lol

[@olsonjslipknot]

Thanks for video very helpful

[@rudybriskar5267]

Yupper, it takes quite a while. I'm at the final cleanup. Just ordered a caulking gun and 100 %silicone caulking from Amazon. 4:03

[@sergifed91]

havent done a full tank yet. my 125 corner overflow the seal was missing on one o the over flow. so i removed the over flow and cleaned it. then resealed it. although I didn't wait 24 hrs. it still stuck and sealed without leaks. so that part was simple. I do plan on trying it with a 10 gallon tank soon that I that the seal is coming off of it. although might not be cost effective for a 10 gallon tank. i do have one larger but prefer to do it on a smaller scale first before tackling a 210 gallon tank to reseal.

[@user-ki1ys5wz1q]

Doing this next weekend but I think isopropyl alcohol and use Selsil silicone

[@marywilliams1441]

Thanks n get well ❤

[@AquaticDomain]

Nice vid. I like that you didn’t use tape. I have a corner tank I am getting ready to do. Unfortunately didn’t test before adding substrate. Shame on me😮

[@gavinlockridge9603]

Me too buddy and all my other shit with a 55 gallon one

[@Deathvince75]

is this the same Prosses for Re-adding a Adding a Brace to the top of a 45g Bow tank mine Fell off a while and am trying to repair it

[@Gamers_Addiction]

Yeah i have a 125 bowed front tank similar to what you see at petco and after watching this video hopefully this is the last time i will have to reseal the tank.

[@funtraderkiller4736]

Do I need to clean the tank after i use the acetone?

[@HawtUPSman]

Instead of acetone can you use acetone nail polish remover?

[@carlwagner4565]

I just spent 2 hours setting up my tank i got from a buddy and getting substrate ect in it just to find a leak now i gotta drain it clean all the substrate out and redo it ughhhh i just wanna put my fishies in this nice big tank already they have been in a 5 gal for too long and i feel bad for em

[@christianmbaeze2577]

How can I get live crocker fish down to Nigeria?

[@marcushernandez5087]

1:56 😭 I believe you… I’ve been holding it off for 2 years now my other tank is leaking

[@CREEPLAIR]

If you don't separate the glass panels and seal those you are just putting a band aid on the real problem. The main seal that failed is between the panels, the inside seal is protecting that.

[@bo_392]

interesting! good tips. i wish i knew to use gloves a few weeks ago. at least my hands are water proof now. :)

[@phackqu]

I just got a new 75 gallon tank and was wondering, since the reviews were about leakage, would i be able to just throw a large bead of silicone with the existing seal?

[@sandcove86]

No,new silicone doesn't bond with old silicone

[@kingclaytonz6027]

Ya I'm just buying another tank

[@just1certifiable]

So I was just given an old metal framed aquarium and discovered the bottom is leaking. I kind of figured this would be the case because dude had tried to lay new silicone over the old. Although I heard you say it, I guess I'm hoping otherwise or needing confirmation by asking...Do I need to take the whole aquarium apart and redo the whole thing or is it possible to just redo the bottom only?

[@Dassick89]

Only disassemble if the seams (space holding the panels together) shows separation. Otherwise you only need to remove the seals inside the tank and resilicone. If you create a full new seal it won't leak even if there's a small spot where the seam has a leak, the water won't get to it. You need to do the entire inside as one new seam, can't do just the bottom or one side, as silicone won't stick to cured silicone.

[@GamesOffTheShelf]

Can anyone tell me where to find aquarium grade silicone? My home depot and lowes don't carry the right brand and all the fish stores around here only have 3oz tubes and I have a 90 gallon tank.

[@Stu_DLNGR]

I just purchased KRAKEN silicone sealant on Amazon. Two tubes. Fair price

[@GamesOffTheShelf]

@@Stu_DLNGR Thanks!

[@user-ki1ys5wz1q]

Selsil silicone

[@patrickvinas6524]

Ok I just resealed my first tank, a 55 gallon. I did not put any masking tape and the job is not neat but still ok. I know for next time to put the tape (Live and learn) but in the meantime after the tank has cured, can I carefully cut a little bit of the excess or it might mess up the seal? I doubt I want to reseal again, it's not meant to be my living room showpiece but in a spare bedroom. Thanks

[@karenlemley1276]

What do you do if the seal breaks between the glass panes?

[@matthewanderson3631]

You have to complete pull the trim and remove the whole pain in order to scrape and clean the ares for more silicone

[@starwarswannabes285]

What do you do when your aquarium is 31 inches tall and your arm reach is considerably less than that? My guess is that you have to get inside the aquarium to do the work. I know to put padding under the aquarium, but still afraid of breaking the glass when I get in due to the plastic framing keeping the edges of the glass from contacting the floor.

[@gabrielgalaxygh]

Get a caulking gun

[@starwarswannabes285]

@@gabrielgalaxygh I still have to remove old caulk so the caulking gun which I have a few of wouldn’t help. I have since watched videos where people did get in the tank. I just have to cut some plywood the same depth as the recessed glass to give it support while I get in it so I don’t crack it. I believe it will work but I would be lying if I said I was sure and not a bit nervous about it.

[@gabrielgalaxygh]

@@starwarswannabes285 oh yeah didn't think about that. I'm thinking of revealing my 125 gal but man I'm nervous as hell for that too

[@starwarswannabes285]

@@gabrielgalaxygh I’m nervous for 2 reasons, I don’t want to crack it ( 150 gallon ) and if it were to shatter with me in it, that could be really bad. I feel fairly sure the cabinet should hold my weight because I’m only 175 and if it holds all that water weight it should be able to hold me. The plywood will go across the cabinet so if the bottom of the tank broke it will be resting on the plywood. Their will actually be two pieces one that the frame of the tank rest on and one that the glass rest on because the frame causes the glass to be recessed up about the perfect depth for a sheet of plywood I already had laying around the garage. Wish me luck and I hope you get yours sealed as well.

[@gabrielgalaxygh]

@@starwarswannabes285 good uck man and maybe another piece of plywood inside the tank would help distribute you're weight better. Kinda like when they're making the concrete smooth so they kneel on a flat piece of wood so they don't sink into the wet cement. Just a thought... and thank you I'm probably gonna try it tomorrow so hopefully all goes well

[@pauld7958]

Are you supposed use non toxic silicone? The stuff you used was the kind used on windows

[@sarahvinc7138]

So you can look up what brands of non-toxic silicone exist. There are many window and door silicone that are safe for use.

[@robertfong-mow7235]

Check the ingredients list of the silicone first. If there are mold inhibitors you are taking a chance. You can buy aquarium grade silicone at fish stores that make fish tanks. Also it's best to have extra when doing a big tank. It will be a nightmare if you run out.

[@gaigecrandall2910]

I got a 150 gallon I’m gonna do today I took all the old silicone off the guy that had it before did a terrible job silicone was like a inch thick an 2 inches wide

[@GamesOffTheShelf]

What kind of silicone did you use? I have a 90 gallon tank and the home depot and lowes by me don't carry anything safe. The fish stores around here only sell 3oz tubes at $12.99. My turtle is just chilling in the tub waiting for his home to get repaired.

[@williamgonzalez6849]

Hello my friend

[@gavynstephenson]

Covid!? How r u not dying!?😂

[@dominickvp70]

i don’t like the seams looks smudged

[@TheGameBoy56]

I just did 3 tanks sound like u should pay me to do it if u have that many leaking tanks after u do it lol

[@egoranonymous3223]

I have an angel fish that kills everything in her tank, even snails. She even attacks the glass when we feed her. Meanest fish I've ever had. This morning her 20 tall spring a leak and I had to throw her in my 55 gallon with my other fish and doing research on line there are no 20 talls in this stupid state. So tomorrow while my partner is scrubbing the carpet I'll be resealing the monsters tank. 😡😡😡

[@alancartwright5395]

Silicone does bond to old silicone 🤦‍♂️

[@hernanmurillo8925]

Does or does not?

[@vqj6724]

Nah took me 3 hrs

[@edinpandzic5838]

oh ok, so i dont have to take the aquarium apart and put it back together? just reseal on the inside?

[@chandlee3968]

In the words of Dustin’s Fishtanks, “A leaky aquarium is like a cheating ex-girlfriend, you can never trust them afterward”. If you can’t afford the tank to fail and leak in it’s location, don’t chance it, just buy a new one.