Acrylic aquariums and glass aquariums can potentially last for many years. However, to ensure your tank remains in one piece for as long as possible, you’ll need to regularly inspect joined edges for signs of leaks. Should you notice any damaged seams or minor leaks, there’s no need to worry.
Repairing seals is relatively easy, restoring tanks to their former leak-free glory. Silicone products are often the best option for repairing sealed edges around the home and many of the same products can be used to repair a fish tank. However, you’ll want to make sure the silicone you’re using to make the repair is not harmful to your fish.
Key Things to Remember When Choosing Silicone
When choosing a silicone product to carry out fish tank repair, you have plenty of options to consider. Pure silicone is usually fine to use, although you’ll need to make sure it does not contain any additives. Many silicone intended for used to seal windows and door frames tends to include additives that inhibit the growth of mildew and household mould.
This is advantageous when making repairs of areas prone to damp, but not something you want when sealing aquarium panes. There’s a couple of reasons behind this. For starters, aquarium-friendly silicone will need to be able to endure constant exposure to moisture. What’s more, the more additives included, the more likely it is the product will contain toxins that are harmful to fish.
Many silicone products on the market will specify whether they can be used to make aquarium repairs. When checking the label, look for a ‘safe for aquariums’ mention. Provided you’ve picked a suitable product, the silicone should be strong enough to carry out the most demanding repair job.
Aquarium-friendly silicone needs to very strong, delivering a secure seal in just one application. This single application should be secure enough to prevent any leaks. Tank-friendly silicone should also cure consistently. Other types of silicone tend to shrink once they have cured, leaving an inconsistent seal that will need to be removed and redone.
Other Uses for Aquarium Silicone
A fish-friendly aquarium silicone can also be used in and around your tank. If you’re putting together a particularly elaborate tank display, you may want to secure decorative pieces in place. Aquarium-friendly silicone can be very effective at ensuring ornamental rocks, wood and other ornaments remain secure once positioned in place. It can also be used to repair or modify any submersible equipment.
Final Thoughts
Having some aquarium silicone in stock is always a good idea if you want to prepared for any eventuality. However, there are some drawbacks to aquarium silicone when compared to conventional silicone products. Generally speaking, tank-friendly silicone tends to be more expensive than the regular variety. It also tends to take longer to cure than traditional silicone.
You may also want to consider the tube and applicator design when choosing aquarium silicone. If you plan on addressing seal issues to combat leaks, a narrow applicator that allows the silicone to be easily applied is definitely something you want.
