Acrylic Fish Tank Repair

Keeping a wary and eye on your tank to detect the smallest flaw or crack can save it from becoming permanently damaged. A leak might start as just a drip, but could develop into a waterfall while you are sleeping. Knowing how to repair an acrylic fish tank can save you money, since a tank spill can result in thousands of dollars in damages.

Things You'll Need

  • Liquid acrylic cement
  • Construction clamp
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Sand paper
  • Syringe with needle
  • Face mask
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove all water, decorations and fish from your tank and dry the tank thoroughly. Place your fish in a smaller covered tank with your air pump tubing for oxygenation. Sand each edge of the crack until they are all even, using 250-grit or finer sandpaper. Omit this step if the edges of the crack are not accessible for sanding.

    • 2

      Wipe down the edges with a clean cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol to remove any sanding burrs or fine particles that might weaken the joining. If the edges of the crack are not separated, wipe on the inside and outside of the tank, over the area of the crack, then allow to dry.

    • 3

      Fill the applicator syringe with the glue or cement, first putting on your face mask to avoid breathing the fumes. WeldOn is a popular choice when repairing acrylic aquarium cracks. Use the appropriate type of WeldOn appropriate, depending on the characteristics of the crack. You can find the type of WeldOn you need by looking at the different types on IPS Corporation's website (see Resources). Insert the needle into the crack and inject the glue slowly. If you are joining separate edges, such as broken seams, apply the cement to one edge only, then press the parts together.

    • 4

      Let it cure for a few minutes then clamp the joint to set, perhaps overnight or longer. If the parts are long, place clamps about 6 inches apart for uniform pressure. If you have a small crack, place the tank on it's side. Putting a large, heavy object on top can apply pressure and hold the crack in place until the glue dries.