How to Clean Silicone off an Aquarium

Silicone is used to form a waterproof bond in construction and repair of glass aquariums. Once cured it becomes a permanent, solid seal that will last for the life of the aquarium. One problem that arises when using silicone is that, if it is smeared onto the glass and allowed to dry and cure, it leaves a cloudy mark that is unsightly. It's not too complicated to remove silicone from an aquarium and restore the glass to optimize the clarity it was designed for.

Things You'll Need

  • Razor glass scraper
  • Soft bristled brush
  • Glass cleaner
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the glass scraper at a 45-degree angle and push it against the silicone smear in a scraping motion, taking care not to gouge the silicone bead that holds the glass panels together in the corners of the aquarium. Repeat this process on each section of silicone until all smears have been lifted.

    • 2

      Dust the crumbs of silicone off or out of the aquarium, using a soft bristled brush.

    • 3

      Clean the glass where the silicone residue has been removed, using a household glass cleaner and paper towels.