How to Fix a Broken Aquarium Seal

Most aquariums that are made of glass have four glass side panels and a bottom glass panel, all of which seal together from the inside with silicone. If the silicone fails to seal the aquarium, the tank will experience a leak. If left in disrepair, eventually that leak will worsen and all of the water will rush out, creating a large mess on your floor. After finding a temporary home for your fish and draining the tank of its water and removing the gravel, you can begin the process of fixing the broken aquarium seal.

Things You'll Need

  • Razor blade
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Rag
  • Aquarium silicone
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the sharp edge of the razor blade against the glass and slide it under the defective silicone seal. Slide the razor blade downward to peel the silicone off the glass. Repeat the process on the other pane of glass that makes up the corner. Discard the old silicone.

    • 2

      Clean the glass previously covered by the silicone with a rag wet with rubbing alcohol. This will remove any grease left by your hands during the silicone removal process, and it will remove the contaminants that caused the seal to fail in the first place.

    • 3

      Place the tip of the silicone caulk tube in the top inside corner of the aquarium where you need to replace the seal. Squeeze the tube as you pull the tip downward. This leaves a bead of silicone caulk.

    • 4

      Place your index finger in the bottom corner and pull up gently to push the caulk into the corner and to create a smooth seal. Discard any excess silicone that you pull out of the aquarium. Allow at least 48-hours drying time.