Than at home it is better to glue the glass aquarium, rules and means of repair

When cracks and other damage appear, people often wonder what is the best way to glue a glass aquarium at home. For this purpose, special adhesives that are safe and provide strong and reliable fixation should be used. To achieve good results, you need to perform the procedure correctly, following the recommendations of experienced craftsmen.

How to prepare a container for repair

To glue the aquarium, you need to properly prepare the renovation. To do this, it is worth moving the fish and washing the container.

Resettlement of residents

Even if the crack is at the top of the tank, the fish will need to be removed. The fact is that repairs will worry them. In addition, it will be uncomfortable to work. It should also be borne in mind that adhesives are capable of releasing harmful elements. It is recommended to remove water, sand, algae, stones from the aquarium.

Exterior and interior washing

The container should be thoroughly washed with a sponge. It is recommended to do this both outdoors and indoors. Then the container must be well dried. Paper towels will help speed up the process.

Leak test

To seal the highest quality glass aquarium, even minor damage should be revealed. As an indicator, it is allowed to use paper with a high degree of hygroscopicity. To do this, you can use regular toilet paper.

Corrugated material is also suitable, which is used for creativity.

To check for leaks, the washed aquarium should be filled with water. It is recommended to wipe the outside of it dry. After that, it is worth firmly pressing the paper on each side, leaving it for a while. Even a small leak will stain the paper.

What glue to use

To seal the crack, you need to choose the right adhesive.

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It must meet the following criteria:

1. Have great elasticity. Under the influence of water pressure, there is a risk of destruction of the solid composition after drying. It is important that the seam has the ability to adapt to changes in pressure.
2. Be resistant to temperature fluctuations and load changes.
3. Does not contain any toxic substances. The seam should not produce harmful components that can lead to the death of the fish.
4. Does not include antibacterial ingredients. These substances are harmful to fish.
5. Contains no coloring additives.
6. Have a neutral composition.
7. UV resistant.
8. Have strong adhesion to non-porous surfaces.
9. Water and vibration resistant.

For aquariums, it is allowed to use several types of glues:

1. Acrylic - they are used very rarely, since they have low moisture resistance parameters.
2. Butyl - have low strength.
3. Epoxy - this glue can be used to repair an aquarium, as it is safe for fish. At the same time, there is a risk of problems during work.
4. Silicone - this is the preferred substance. It has high elasticity parameters and helps to fix different types of materials.

Silicone formulations have a number of advantages:

• do not produce harmful substances in contact with water;
• do not require the use of protective equipment during work;
• are easy to use;
• freeze within 20 minutes.

The joint resulting from the application of sealant is able to withstand up to 200 kilograms.

To choose the right composition, you should focus on the following brands:

1. Soudal is a Belgian product designed for DIY aquarium repairs. The composition is based on silicone and is considered to be of the highest quality.
2. Okyanys Kimya is a reliable and durable Turkish glue. The substance includes silicone and additional components.
3. Tytan is an adhesive polish that can be used with aquariums. The substance is suitable for joining large glasses.
4. Krass is a high quality, affordable glue polish. This silicone sealant is available in different colors - white, transparent, gray, brown.
5. Moment Herment is a specialty adhesive that can withstand increased loads. It has a transparent consistency and is 100% silicone. The substance is able to withstand contact with sea water.

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It should be borne in mind that there are many glazing sealants on sale. It is forbidden to use them for fixing the elements of the aquarium. These substances include fungicides. They are often referred to as sanitary. Neutral adhesives that do not contain acids or alkalis are suitable for the aquarium. Sometimes it is permissible to use such formulations. After curing, the hazardous substances evaporate and the composition becomes safe.

How to carry out repairs correctly

If your aquarium is cracked, don't despair. You can easily fix this problem yourself. To do this, you must follow these instructions:

1. Remove the damaged glass. To do this, use a clerical knife to trace the seams of the inside and outside. Pick up the adhesive and peel it off around the perimeter of the glass. Then it will be possible to separate the damaged fragment.
2. Place the aquarium on the sheet of paper with the side from which the damaged glass was removed. From the inside, surround it with a thick felt. Take the sheet to the workshop, where the glass will be cut according to the stencil.
3. Dampen a cotton towel with alcohol and run along the seams. After degreasing, let the product dry completely for 10 minutes.
4. Place the new glass on a horizontal surface and place the aquarium on it. Apply a special adhesive around the perimeter. To remove excess substance and make the seam smoother, it is worth running a wooden board over it.

If the aquarium runs along the seam, you should do the following:

1. If a leak appears at the junction of the walls, the sealant must be applied along the joint and rolled in depth using a file or a knife. To achieve good results, it is worth using a sufficient amount of glue.
2. Spread the silicone on the seams with a damp sponge.
3. Wait until it is completely dry. It will take at least a day.
4. Check the quality of the binding. To do this, fill the container with water and check for leaks. If this is the case, the aquarium must be repaired again.
5. If the job is done well, the liquid should be poured out, and water with fish and algae should be placed in the aquarium.

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Remove the old putty

The soaked putty can be removed from the joints to be repaired after the surfaces have completely dried. Use a knife or nail file to clean up large spaces. Use a blade in narrow openings.After cleaning the glass from old putty, wipe its surface with alcohol or acetone.

Common Mistakes

If the aquarium leaks, it must be repaired in time. Beginners make many mistakes during the procedure:

• do not clean the pasting area from dust and dirt;
• do not remove excess glue - this can be done with a napkin dipped in vinegar;
• do not transplant fish during repair;
• choosing the wrong adhesive;
• use sealant after expiration date.

Additional tips and tricks

It is almost impossible to repair an aquarium without draining the water. For a correct procedure, it is worth following these recommendations:

1. Read the instructions that come with the adhesive.
2. After the fish is returned to the repaired aquarium for 2-3 days, the compressor should be strengthened.
3. In order not to stain the aquarium glass with glue, it is recommended to cover the area along the seams with masking tape.
4. For the time of the move, it is worth preparing a spare aquarium. Such a container will also be required during the onset of diseases, cleaning and during the spawning period.
5. To avoid damage to the aquarium, use a metal scraper very carefully to clean it.

There are a number of different tools that can be used to repair an aquarium. The most effective and safe composition is considered silicone sealant.

In order to achieve successful repairs, the technology of using the adhesive must be strictly observed.