How to Reseal a 55 Gallon Fish Tank

ID: 158155

Description: Use this guide if your aquarium’s seal is...

Steps:

1. Clean the tank.
2. Be sure to remove all foreign substances.
3. Inspect the seal for possibility of removal without tools.
4. Check the old seals for mold.
5. The new silicone must have a clean surface to bond to.
6. Mark where the leak is and make sure to pay close attention to that side when applying silicone.

7. Get the razor blade underneath the seal, and scrape from the top to the bottom, with long and steady cuts to remove the sealant.
8. Do not insert the blade in-between the panels because that can separate the glass.

9. Remove the remaining silicone with paper towels, acetone, and a vacuum.
10. Apply acetone until you do not feel any sticky residue (silicone).
11. If the silicone does not come off with the acetone, use razor blades to assist in any final removal.
12. The new silicone will not bond unless all of the old silicone is removed.

13. Apply tape along the interior edges of the tank.
14. Leave a gap between the interior corners and the lines of tape.
15. The gap should be approximately 1/2 inch.

16. Cut the tip of the silicone at the three-eighths mark.
17. Press the caulking gun to apply an even bead ¼” bead of silicone along the corners.
18. Apply it quickly because the silicone dries within minutes.
19. Consider where the original leak was and apply extra silicone as needed.

20. Spread out the silicone bead across all the interior corners with your finger.
21. This process is sticky. We recommend wearing gloves.

22. Leave your tank in a place free of dust and contaminants. Wait a minimum of 48 hours to dry.
23. Peel the tape back to slowly remove it.
24. Adding water or reintroducing your fish early can ruin the process and it might harm your fish.