Resealing an Aquarium DIY

[@ScottieFindsFish]

8 years later and this video is a massive help. thank you!

[@stoneysscapes7544]

So true and the best of information is timeless or @ least a good reminder of how it was done etc. !!!!!😎

[@colecross24]

Probably the best reseal tutorial on youtube. I have to reseal a 160g this weekend and after watching this video I feel more confident about it. Thanks

[@daddyflip8584]

Agree 100%. Resealed a used 125 this week, our first aquarium, and this is the "go-to" video. PRO TIP from this video is the putty knife to make straight tape cuts.. . awesome.

[@palmina77italiana]

same

[@naseebudadeenansaree1827]

colecross24 7tub keeps

[@Obsidian-Elytra]

Lol I'm resealing a 150 tall aquarium this week too.

[@johnwayneaquaria8770]

Did a 240 this week, amazing

[@YogeshKumar-zc2ib]

Even After 8 years, no one has made the video like this. 👍👍👍 I saw lots of videos on KZbin but your video make me able to do this very easily and effect. Thank you so much.

[@rajanitha11]

Thank you for the best tutorial, my husband tried resealing 130g tank and made a big mess. I watched ur video so now i can do it for him and make him happy 😃 😁

[@jimmylee8459]

I just bought a 75gal off craigslist , i didnt check the tank throughly the previous owner tried reseal it. The sealant had to be almost an 1inch thick in some place. It took me almost 4 hrs of scraping i can barely write. PATIENCE is the KEY. Great video

[@Cabonid1968]

Just bought a used tank from a local fish store. Never had issues from them before. Even water tested the tank before we bought it. $20 for a 35 gal octagon and stand bought it home feeling confident and got it filled.That lasted only hours before we sprang a leak! So I am glad I came across your video!!! Thank You!!

[@winstonchurchill3597]

By far the best video on resealing an aquarium!

[@Henry-vw8xg]

ScubaSteveAquatics, thank you for posting this. I figured the process was simple to reseal an aquarium but wanted to see someone do it that has experience. Great advice and great video. I feel way more confident in doing this. Have a great one!

[@R0BL68]

Well...after waking up to find that my 30 gallon tank had leaked all through the night (fortunately onto my hardwood floor) I determined that aged and warn silicone seals were the culprit. Before running off to buy a new tank, I looked up possible diy repair solutions here on You Tube. I followed the advice and recommendations in this video down to a T., including the brand of silicone. I am happy to say it worked PERFECTLY!!! It happened on a Thursday and by Monday afternoon, my tank was back up and running with zero leaks. :) Much props and thanks for lesson !!! 🐡🐠🐟

[@robzaphy]

is it still sealed? without leaks?

[@kathleendixon5013]

This is my first reseal and this was the best video, especially for smoothing the silicone. You did it several times to remove all the excess and made it very smooth. I will attempt to do it your way.

[@charlesthorogood6918]

Thanks for your expertise Steve. You have given me, like so many others, confidence to strip & reseal my aquarium.

[@charlesdavis6975]

Nice work , my 120 gallon leak on me when my tank was up and running so now I have to do a reseal job , "thank you" for your video it was very helpful & now I can't wait to get my aquarium back up and running. . .

[@plexxconquest]

Thank you so much for this easy to follow video. I have a 140 gallon that I bought off Craigslist and it sprung a leak 3 months after having it. I knew nothing about needing to reseal it or what to look for. I almost bought a new tank but found your video and can reseal it and save money too. Thanks again!

[@Dadpranks101]

Followed step by step on a 150 gallon and have absolutely no issues! Thanks a ton!

[@justshutupandshowmealready2891]

Winner of the "Just Shut-up And Show Me Already" award for Jan. 2023. Thank you for your service.

[@bumblesby]

Wow thanks! I have an All Glass 29 gallon that I first bought in the 1970s. It just developed its first leak! I needed this video :)

[@obiwancamote2540]

I am really in a bad situation right now, I need to reseal my 50g tank. I just bought it last Feb 20, now it has too many leaks and I want to return it to the shop where I bought it but it only bothers me to travel because I don't own a car. When I saw this video, I think of resealing it myself.. Now I can breathe deeply.. It helps me a lot.. Thank you so much for this video... Such a big help.. 😀😁👌👍

[@deanmyrie9110]

This video was very helpful! My aquarium is in the same shape and I followed you step by step! Just passed my water leak test! I doubt you’ll see this but thank you!!

[@anthonycocchi2903]

Just picked up a 125 on Craig's followed your directions and it came out like new. Thanks man.

[@Day5Aquatics]

Thank you for this tutorial. I have a 75 that I want to reseal before I set it back up. I’m nervous about doing it myself but I feel much more confident after watching this video.

[@fishloving8008]

6 years have past and the video still helpful thx mate

[@MyThirdUserAccount]

Another helpful video for the Scuba Squad! Just re-sealed a used 50gal with your help, thanks

[@grannycathy1]

Thank you for a great video. I not only resealed but replaced a cracked side panel. I bought for the glass $6. silicone $5.blue tape $3.50 and scraper $3. =$17.50 and saved a $100. 29 gallon aquarium your video is very clear on how to do it.

[@defrancegurley1177]

I was able to snag a 50 gallon with a stand and hood on yesterday evening for $35. Filled it and over in the middle of the night noticed it had a small leak. Just drained it and removed my fish. This video I feel will definitely help me out from buying a new tank. I'm just going to reseal the entire tank. Thanks!!

[@LiTree420]

Thanks this video helped! I followed your instructions and it's my first time took me about a full day to get old silicone scraped and tank cleaned. Going to seal it today once again thanks I had no clue how to go about it 👍

[@midnightwolf001]

I'll be resealing a 10 gallon that someone let gerbils chew the seals off of soon. So, watching this as a refresher course on how to do so was awesome. Especially since I've not resealed a tank since my teen years. Thanks.

[@LesSummer]

Your video gave me confidence to reseal my old oceanic 55 gallon. It went well. Thank you, it was my first.

[@tgmaquatics]

Super solid video man thanks for posting this. I myself bought a 90 gallon tank for only $50 on Facebook marketplace and need to reseal it as well, so this video gave me quite a bit of confidence to do so.

[@Antiestablishment420]

Woke up this morning to a leaking 125 gallon tank, was about half empty and carpet soaked, took all day to dry the carpet and it's still drying with a fan. What an ordeal. Gonna reseal the tank using this method, great "how to" vid man.

[@ElAnciano767]

Very clear instructions and nicely recorded. Thanks.

[@jaguarxjr6850]

Thank you so much! I just got a nice salt water aquarium set up for almost nothing because of a leak. Thanks to you I know I will have no problem making the aquarium as good as new!

[@kpocala1061]

Thanks Steve. Great video. Fixing to do my 100 gallon that sprung a leak

[@chrislowe1949]

watched this video before resealing a 125g tank from 1998. Never tried it before. Used Momentive RTV 108 Silicone (black) would highly recommend over the Silicone 1. Turned out great, no leaks after a month. great video. not as hard as i thought just time consuming.

[@Senorlatulla]

Chris Lowe I am currently doing the same with a 125g.... the original silicone looks really good, I wonder it is even worth to reseal it?

[@johnm4875]

Thanks! Someone just gave a 30G that needs to be resealed. This was a BIG help.

[@dinh71]

Thanks for the vid man. Just picked me up a 180 that needs to be recaulked, so this is exactly the tutorial I'm looking for.

[@owndapwn]

Definitely pointed me in the right direction on a few things, but I'm kind of dreading this on mine. 30gal upright hex tank. Needs top trim redone, too. Lots of edges. But the masking tip is what I really needed.

[@Boviathan]

thank you great video instructions very clear I will be doing this to a 55 gallon very soon it's been sitting in the dining room for 10 years

[@pekelosilveirajr7461]

The nicest reseal ever dude killer job

[@Pure4Kicks]

Congrats man that was a great deal... I kind of like resealing tanks. Can't wait to see it setup.

[@Mari-sx4vb]

great tutorial easy to follow and mimic, appreciate all the details!

[@marknutt6812]

Why do fish tanks on the internet look nothing like the size that they are?

[@stuartbrown3229]

I think people mix up lt. For galons

[@KayShwizzley]

Lmao Idk always looks small but then they say it’s like 120 gallon

[@famlfaxclubhouse9330]

Often the creators are using wider lenses. Kind of DIY is a great example. His wall of 120s look like 55's when he's using his wide lense on the camera.

[@HelloThere-zf8ke]

Right?? Im genuinely confused

[@RealCptHammonds]

Tanks listed for sale look larger than they are too! I cannot tell you how many times I had to ask how many gallons people's tanks were before I finally found the 220 gallon I was looking for. My patience paid off, but it took about a month.

[@Cats2Curious]

Excellent video - I think it's the best on KZbin! I'm about to reseal a 60 gallon fish tank this weekend, and your confidence in your work and step-by-step explanation how-to gave *me* confidence! I have a 125 gallon I'll be resealing this spring when the weather is better (raining and icy cold here in CA). I even bought the same putty knife you have! lol

[@MrSkitso69]

Let us know how the 125 gallon goes, I have a 210 gallon I need to reseal and im not sure If i want to do this or redo the entire silicon between the glass panels too.

[@BoomgamesFG]

So well demonstrated, thank you

[@redbeard4206]

Video helped a ton, I just recently picked up a deal on facebook getting a 58 galleon along with 4 smallers tanks for free, And the 58 needs resealed.

[@goodcitizen17]

Thanks man. I made the mistake of buying the aquarium kind and yup shonuff it was indeed more expensive. I'm making a freshwater refugium now and I used your video to find out what kinda I need. Thanks.

[@Maxmgm212.]

I bought ASI aquarium silicone is black for 10$ it’s rated for up to 750 gallon tanks great stuff

[@RealCptHammonds]

This is the best video on this topic, but, trust me, acetone works better than alcohol. I'm in the process of using it and a razor blade to remove a thick coat of paint off my 220 gallon tank and redoing the silicone inside the tank. You can buy a gallon of pure acetone on Amazon.

[@ashleighdavidson2764]

Thank you so much for posting this! I feel 100% more confident in doing this myself!

[@KyleSchwanz]

Thanks for the video!! I tried my 75 g but the Silicon cured before I could smooth it all out, in just a matter of minutes.... so now I'm stripping it all out again and starting over..... what a pain in the rear.... I guess this time I'll just apply it in sections and smooth it out as I go along... wish me luck!!

[@fewferfev]

***** The same thing happened to me. It is holding water just fine but looks a real mess! Oh well... we live & learn.

[@renewillard777]

One line at a time! Always when using caulk or silicone

[@johnm4875]

Thanks this is very helpful. I just got a 30 gallon with filter, stand and hood for FREE. The guy just wanted to get rid of it. But the tank was in bad shape. This wiil be a big help.

[@kenseeley3761]

Great Job Man! Got to re do a couple myself and this video was extremely helpful. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@colaman1220]

good video, will be resealing a couple tanks here soon, good visual of how to do it.

[@jjboswell5043]

11 years later and still useful

[@lucaswollermann9064]

Great video. I'm resealing my first tank right now & I hadn't remembered to do an alcohol wipe and completely blanked on taping it off. Glad I watched this before running the bead. One thing I will recommend, though, is a tip for picking up the old silicone bits from the bottom of the tank since it likes to stick to glass& a vacuum won't necessarily pick it up... Throwing a pinch of regular white flour in the corners and on the bottom of the tank, then just kind of pushing it around to coat the silicone bits stops them from being sticky and it can all be vac'd out with no trouble. A spray bottle with water or rubbing alcohol will clean up the remaining powder. Now that I think about it, a dust coating of it in the bottom of the tank before taking the razor to it will stop the stickiness before it starts.

[@lostinspacerobinson1527]

Beautiful job bro !

[@geneeferns3422]

This is so educational. Thank you

[@Er3ctilereptile]

I’m going to give this a try. I followed a tutorial by “the king of diy” and both sealing attempts failed. I saw one or two things you did that I don’t remember him mentioning, wish me luck! 3rd time is the charm

[@soorajshine1545]

Hw did it go...me gonnna try tomorrow.. Prep wrk ol done.. 🤞

[@Er3ctilereptile]

Sooraj Shine I’m doing it in July

[@soorajshine1545]

@@Er3ctilereptile ooh.. Cool.. ✌️

[@Spencisuar]

Very helpful! Thanks! I just got a 10gal with a filter, heater and light for $30, bit o enof the seals is missing a large portion and I was wondering how I was going to fix it. This is my answer.

[@AlphaFonzo]

Hello Steve, awesome video! I have me a 10gal Tank manufactured in 1995. It was in use, and wasn't leaking. But upon tearing it down. And cleaning it out, I noticed that I was getting pockets of water in the silicone. So I figured I try your DIY resealing. I pretty much got up to the part where I add the silicone. And thought I was suppose to remove the borders of the tape while the silicone was still wet and setting. But a piece of the silicone happens to come off with it. So my question, am I suppose to quickly caulk it and remove the tape. Or wait till its completely dried. Thanks for the vid. And hope to hear from you.

[@kgrodzinski]

Hey, great video! I am in the process of following each step. So far i have removed the silicone and whipped it down with alchole. I need to find that tape, and then im going to do that and patch this bad boy up! thanks for the video,

[@amberlynnlillys9589]

Good job man! I only did this once when I was way younger don't remember doing it tho had to refresh skill lol I gotta re do my 60gal gunna look great with the extra tips :)

[@yungfrb7]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@luciabalogova1548]

i have 75 gallon reef full stack with corals and few fish,tonight i just noticed water in my bottom rim its not coming out but its there,what a pain.... i will have to take a part and re seal,thank you for your video at least i have idea how to do it thanks again;))

[@frankiev8355]

hi,, watching your vid..on that reseal you did 5 years ago..did that tank ever leak? or did it hold up/?..

[@J4M3Z.T]

Too scared to reply

[@PDXTundra]

Frankie why would it leak? It’s the same process and silicon that’s used in the factory.

[@chulito791]

Thank you man! Good video and very good explanation.

[@Isaiah-hy2xf]

What about using those rubber silicone spreaders where each end has a size preference? Those would get into the corners well would they not? Also, about how many hours did this take you? Thanks!

[@bilsob1]

I have an All Glass tank that was made in 1971 and had been dry for 25 years. I am the original owner of this tank and I recently took it out of storage and set it up and it did not leak and it was never resealed.

[@3greatgreyhounds3]

Cool does it have the old metal edges on it? just curious...

[@bilsob1]

The tank is an all glass without any metal edges.

[@indigofremont]

Great job, nice video

[@Demithehunter]

Thank you so much for the video! Got a ratchet tank for my sons hermit crabs needs TLC badly.

[@pcdebb]

Thanks for this video. Need to reseal a 75 gallon

[@shaunjohle5091]

I love it when a guy can laugh at his own puns. lol

[@mrisdabest2]

Definitely will try this. Only thing is that the silicone 1 on the back says not recommend for aquariums

[@wrldchamps04]

thanks! Even I might be able to do this!! I wondered if you would take ALL the silicone OFF first or in sections... now I know.

[@joseCalderon1976]

Thanks for the video! I'm resealing my 75G this week because it's leaking!

[@charliesleeseman4643]

Looks good dude

[@humphreyLove101]

Very nice video! Thank you so much:D I'm resealing a 25 gallon that's easily over 20 years old haha

[@harshalparekh8835]

I recently bought a 65-gallon aquarium and I immediately knew it had to be resealed. This is my first time resealing a tank and I got all of the silicone out from the inside. The thing with that is I think I went inside the seams holding the tank together a little by accident so I feel the edge of the razor blade go inside some parts of the seam just a tiny bit. I'm guessing the new silicone will just fill in the tiny gaps because the silicone that's deeper into the seams will still be strong enough to hold the tank together as there's some excess silicone coming out the other side from a reseal job that the previous owner did. If I reseal the tank on the inside normally, will I be fine?

[@mosessalazar465]

Nice vid, I have a hex aquarium to re seal. 6 sides to scrape and seal, yay for me -.-

[@cmurray561]

Thanks so much for youre video, im about to reseal for the first time and you have helped me heaps

[@silencedknight]

The instructions on resealing were perfect. Can I ask if the black borders break (top and bottom of the aquarium) what glue can I use to glue that back in place?

[@Wintersbane08]

+silencedknight I bought a 75 that had a cracked border. I just used Loctite Marine epoxy. Worked great.

[@silencedknight]

+Wintersbane08 thanks a bunch

[@chrisgill8608]

Great step by step video..THANK U!!!!

[@zenvver3112]

0:06 Anybody see the fish tank swaying? 😂😂

[@brittanynicoledawn6015]

i have a 30 gallon tank a neaighbor gave us a while back not sure how old it is but the seal is gettin pretty bad its leaking really bad now so im goin to try to do this i hope it turns out ok thanks for the video its a life saver!

[@clsanchez77]

How is this tank still doing today? My 110 gal blew a seal and I cannot get it replaced during the pandemic. I noticed you did not take the glass pane apart to get the silicone out from between the panes.

[@Mm-fi4ew]

great job!! ima try it thx for video

[@RCMAN23]

I got a 135 yesterday for $100 with a bunch of extras. And the tank is in perfect condition

[@rpgmomma8404]

+RC MAN 23 Lucky!! lol I'm jealous. I can't even find a 75 gallon around here that is in decent condition for under a $150.

[@RCMAN23]

+PrincessLollyGag wow. Im in florida. And i just seen a 220 for $250. There moveing and need it gone asap. Wish they would have posted earlier

[@rpgmomma8404]

+RC MAN 23 Damn, that's a freaking awesome deal.

[@RCMAN23]

+PrincessLollyGag right. And it comes with everything to get it running

[@lizzyanthus1]

+rpgmomma8404 I hear you! I Just saw someone selling a 75 set up for $350. bucks! It does have a salt water set up, but dang, seems like a lot of money for a used (and not looking that great) tank.

[@darksoulsvet5456]

When spreading the silicon out with your finger aren’t you worried that you’re taking too much off? Will it not get a proper seal?

[@Prunebaboon]

I have a 20G tank that was given to me but it’s quite old. For this reason I water tested it and after filling it up 3/4 of the way one corner came apart. What would you recommend? Also, thanks for the educational video :)

[@Mythrays1]

to get better results with your finger smearing it. Get a warm Damp wash cloth, or paper tales with your index finger poking out (not actually threw it, but pushing it tight with the finger) and run it along the edge in one direction bottom to top (never back and forth).

[@Mythrays1]

and not to hard

[@youngguru6057]

Which one is better? SELSIL Aquarium Silicone Clear Sealant VS Aqueon Fish Tank Silicone Sealant

[@keyonchildress8815]

Got a 55 gallon used for $25. Followed these steps and mine came out a little messy, ha. But hopefully it still works, my final silicone coats were kind of thin.

[@Ejay0709]

Dude tank is NICE. Great deal man! Got my acrylic pretty cheap 2. Mines an 80gal. You need to setup up ur 90gal nd post a vid. On it. Can't wait to see you 220gal. Where will you be putting it?

[@fortunatotrefiletti]

Thanks so mutch now i'm safe! My acquarius loose water and no One in my city told me i can do this Now i can do this!

[@MrTater2500]

Finally someone that can do a realistic job at sealing aquariums. The only comment is you used way to much silicone and the stream should be in one direction and you use way to much silicone and never have I used tape. I have done hundreds of reseals less silicone is best. One finger pull in one direction is the way to go.

[@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?

[@mikeluna5097]

damn good video buddy. I'm doing my 72 bow front this weekend

[@ryanwaidalowski9221]

Please help me I have a 125 that had bulkheads in it. I want to seal with glass and the holes are about 3 in and my question is how thick of glass do I need and does it matter if the glass patch is round or square ? I have the aquarium safe silicone already and know the patch has to be a few inches bigger then the hole. Thank you

[@kingkato21]

I bout a 100 gallon that I am going to be resealing. The previous owner did a reseal but left a gap filled with silicone in one of the corner seams near the top. Should there be silicone between the 2 panels that form the corner or just on the inside like you're doing here?

[@stlyrics6240]

What was the alchol called? On the 1 minute mark

[@hugoalejandrofloresguzman972]

Hey boss great video! One question tho. Does that GE silicone that your using say on the back. Not for underwater/aquarium use? I just bought one and it says that... Am I still good on using it?

[@demonslayer8085]

As long as it says 100% silicone and contains nothing else in the ingredients you’re good to go if all you’re doing is resealing an aquarium. If you’re building say like a large rimless tank then you’ll need like industrial strength silicone to hols the glass pieces together.