how to fix a leaky tank?

What if my tank is leaking a lil? can i silicon it (or whatever you use) let's say if i drain half the water and leave fish in... can i do it like that, or gotta take everything out completely?

Wheres the leak? You will need to scrap off old silicon and clean the seam. Then you can lay some silicon on the leak. If your asking such an easy question good luck with your business idea.

lol not THAT easy.. I know how to do everything. Just wondering if i can drain water half way... keep fish in, and do it if i'm careful. anyways looked up the answer and i can. just like to post questions here for others with same problem one day..

It is best to reseal the whole tank. New silicone does not stick to old, cured silicone very well. More than likely your leak will eventually show up again.

Best to remove all old silicon.

How large is the tank and is it glass? And I would not try to reseal it while livestock is still in the tank. Curing silicon puts off some nasty stuff just smell it. A guy I trust with resealing tanks for me (usually when I buy a large used tank 75 gal+ I let him reseal it cheap and he has the tools) use a marine epoxy on the joints then silicons over top of that. so far so good on my 150 90 and 75 gal tanks he did.

Your smell is vineger. When the smell is gone silicon is cured. Silicon has no smell.

I just finished, today, re-sealing an old 42g Oceanic tank. If you have a leak, chances are, the only reason the silicone is sealing the tank at all, is due to the water pressure on it. I was surprised at how easily the silicone just peeled off the glass, and I have no idea HOW it was holding water at all.

Just to be safe, you would be looking at 3 days of down time, silicone skins fast, and the outside looks and feels cured, but the silicone down in the corners of the glass could still be wet.

You could actually scrape, clean and silicone the tank in just a few hours.

Oops double

GE silicone I for windows and doors is what I use to seal all my leaky tanks. Empty tank complete strip all the silicone back with razor and vacuum and wipe down with isopropal alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Tape your seems and lay down the silicone. Peel back the tape when its wet and let it dry in a well ventilated area for 2 days . Check for the vinegar smell. I find any silicone/rtv dries between 30-70% relative humidity. Anything above or below that will stall the curing. Good luck. Heres is a pic of what i use. Cost way less then the aquarium stuff and you get plenty. One tube will do a 75 no problem.