Can You Safely Reseal a Tank With Silicone While Fish are in It?

livinlifeinBKK · Mar 2, 2023

Hey, so i have a nano that's leaking a little and was going to pick up a Greissenger goby as the only inhabitants of the tank tomorrow but just realized the seams connecting the tank panels are leaking and need to be resealed...can i reseal them with the fish in the tank or will that release toxic chemicals that could kill the fish?

livinlifeinBKK · Mar 2, 2023

Pretty sure it's only one seam so i can probably even reseal it from the outside...

Bucs20fan · Mar 2, 2023

The silicone is only non toxic once it cures, at least that is the case in the ones that ive bought here in the US

MoshJosh · Mar 2, 2023

Silicone wont cure underwater will it?

livinlifeinBKK · Mar 2, 2023

MoshJosh said:
Silicone wont cure underwater will it?

Not sure, but what about sealing it from the outside? It's only one corner...

MoshJosh · Mar 2, 2023

I don't think it's a good idea, the active leak will be getting the silicone wet as it's trying to cure, plus the new silicone wont stick to the old (inside of the seam) so I image it will eventual fail and you will have a leak again. Better to drain and reseal or replace the tank. . . in my opinion

May work temporarily, but probably not a good idea

Lbrdsoxfan · Mar 2, 2023

Hard no.

ReeferHD · Mar 2, 2023

if it's a small tank i'd just get a tub from a hardware store with a HOB/Canister filter to put all the livestock into while you reseal the tank.

livinlifeinBKK · Mar 2, 2023

Lbrdsoxfan said:
Hard no.

Ok, I've got a 2.5 gallon tank i can move live rock into and fill up for the Greissenger Goby tonight so he will have a temporary home until the other tank is repaired...i had a feeling it was gonna be a no but figured I'd check anyway.

livinlifeinBKK · Mar 2, 2023

Honestly, for a Greissenger Goby a 2.5 gallon with live rock taken from my other tanks (which have pods wouldn't be such a terrible home for a little while. They're such tiny fish!