How To Fix A Leaky Fish Tank

Yikes, you've got a leaky fish tank. It may not be apparent at first and you might think nothing of it. Eventually, however, you will become familiar with that wet patch on the carpet underneath your aquarium and realize that there is a problem.

The first thing you have to do when fixing a fish tank is work out where the leak is coming from. If the leak is slight this may be difficult. Leaks generally occur round the seals that join each piece of the aquarium glass. The seal is a form of water resistant glue but like all glues it loses it's strength over time and holes or cracks may occur. This is where you should look first. Run your fingers over the silicon and feel for dampness or wet. This is your leak. And remember that there may be more than one leak as the glue will wear out at roughly the same time.

If the leak is not on the sealant areas but is a crack in the glass you are probably wise to get a new fish tank or panel because there is not much that can be done about cracked glass. Sooner or later the crack will spread and before you know it there will be a really big wet patch on your carpet.

Once you have determined where the leak is then you can seal it. Sealing a leaking fish tank is quite straightforward. You need to get some good water resistant glue. There will be a large variety at the local hardware store but I would start at the fish store to begin with. If they do sell sealant it will no doubt be aimed at fixing fish tanks but will also be designed to not pollute the water within the tank.

In an ideal situation you should remove the contents of the fish tank to a temporary home before sealing the leak. Once the fish tank is completely empty, allow it to dry out. Some sealants will not set adequately on a wet surface. If you have hardware type sealant that is not made for fish tanks then apply the glue to the outside of the tank only. If the sealant is approved by your fish store then you can apply it to both sides. Ultimately this will give it more durability and strength but you should also be concerned for the safety of the fish.

Once you have given the glue time to set then you can test the seal by filling the tank with water. Start to rebuild the aquarium with the stored gravel, rocks and other accessories. Test the water to make sure it is satisfactory before you put the fish and other aquatic life back into the tank.

Find all the products you need to create an aquarium at http://www.fishtank-supplies.com