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Question: How do reinforce the side panels of my fish aquarium in order to prevent it from leaking?

(Posted by: Mike on 2010-02-06 15:56:44)

I've just recently found a 55 gallon fish tank made of out mica which I've noticed it had tape wrapped around the edges of the fish tank. I wonder if the tape wrapped around it is for support or to stop it from leaking. So can I use a reinforcing agent such as silicon inside the fish tank to glue together the edges or do I have to use some other material/ agent that is specialized for fish tank reinforcement only.

Posted by: patrice on 2010-02-07, 20:00:12

55 gallons of water on the floor is not something you want (it happened to me with 200g!). I would be surprise that only tape can prevent a tank from leaking. Here is what I suggest you: 1) only fill 20% the tank and wait. if no leeks after lets say 24h... then add an other 20%. Keep going until the tank is full. 2) Look at the silicone. does it look in good shape or not? if it looks in good shape, chances are that everything is ok. 3) If there is a leak or if the silicone is in bad shape and you don't want to take changes, then you will have to work a little. Take a knife and remove all the silicone (all). The best would be to take the entire tank appart (I know that's lot of work). Then, buy some silicone MADE FOR AQUARIUM from your local fish store and re-silicone the tank. Once done, use something (duck tape, straps or anything that works) to keep the glasses really tite and wait for a good 3 days (or more if you are patient) until the silicone is dry. Once it is dry remove the tape and try step one. Good luck

Posted by: T3rr4nc3 on 2010-02-06, 16:09:21

Duct tape. I'm sure there's some sore of adhesive you could put in a caulking gun and use.