Quick and Easy Way to Fix a Leaking Stock Tank
Learn how to quickly, easily, and cheaply repair a leaking stock tank that will last for year’s to come.
How do Stock Tanks Get Leaks?
In the case of the leak in the video, it was because we had a tank heater in it that burned through the bottom when the water level was too low. This was our fault entirely, as I knew better than to use this tank heater in a plastic tank. Long story there.
ANYWAY.
Tanks get leaks and small holes from punctures by nails or equipment. If you move a tank around a lot it is easy for the sides to develop a small crack here or there.
Things also just wear out eventually and need repair.
What Kind of Stock Tanks will This Fix?
You can use this trick on plastic stock tanks primarily but it should work on a metal stock tank just fine.
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What to Buy
This fix requires only one simple “tool”, and that is a tube of aquarium silicone sealant.
There are quite a few on the market but I’ve had good luck with this one, Selsil. Currently it is $12 for a tube that should easily last you a decade or more, depending on how many stock tanks you need to fix.
How to Fix a Stock Tank Using Aquarium Silicone
Start by cleaning the stock tank well. I like to scrub mine out with a stiff bristled brush and a diluted bleach solution. Depending on how dirty the tank is it might be helpful to scrub it out with a wire brush as well.
Once scrubbed clean and rinsed, I leave it to dry completely in the sun for a couple of hours. The silicone will work best if the air temperature is warmer than 45 degrees F but not hotter than 105 degrees F.
Next, take the silicone aquarium sealer and squeeze out as much as you need to coat the crack or hole inside of the tank. If the hole is in the bottom it might be helpful to prop the tank up, but make sure it retains its same shape and doesn’t move after applying the silicone.
Smooth the silicone out using a tool or just your finger. Wash up right away after if you choose not to use gloves.
If the repair is on the side of the tank, you can go ahead and spread a thick layer of the silicone on the exterior portion of the damage as well.
If the repair is on the bottom, wait until the interior silicone has dried completely, then flip the tank over and repeat the process on the bottom.
Allow it to cure for 24 hours before adding water to the tank.
Once cured, fill ‘er up!
Keep an eye on it the first time you fill it in case you missed a spot or it didn’t cure completely before use.
Why to Use Aquarium Silicone to Fix Stock Tanks
This will always be my go-to method for fixing stock tanks for a few reasons.
Affordable
One tube of this stuff will last years and years. It doesn’t harden up in the tube or get funky on you. I’ve also used it to repair water toys for my kids and it works fantastic.
Holds Up Well
This stuff is created to be inside of a fish tank with water on it constantly, just like a stock tank. Unlike some other sealants that are designed to deal with water running past it or splashing it occasionally, this stuff holds up to water being on it 24/7
Non-Toxic
Aquarium grade silicone is designed to be in water with fish. It shouldn’t cause any issues for your animials health wise.
Other Options for Fixing a Leaky Stock Tank
I have had good luck with these silicone repairs lasting for upwards of six years before they needed repairing again. That includes hot summers in Minnesota up to the mid 90s, and frigid winters dropping down to as much as 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. If you want to try something different, here are a few other options I have seen.
One thing to note, I don’t believe that once cured that these should be of any risk to your animals, but unlike the fish tank grade silicone which is designed to be exposed to animals literally swimming around it, these are typically for non-consumable fixes.
Other folks have had success with different products.
- Jb Weld- $7 for 2 oz tube
- Flex Seal – Best just for small cracks’
- Teflon Tape – This works with creating plumbing joints, but it is not something I would use to try and repair a slow leak in a stock tank.
Keeping the Tank in Working Order
Since this tank has a repair, you should make sure it gets regular inspection to make sure the seal hasn’t been compromised.
This tank should also be kept stationary if possible. While the silicone does wonders to fix the tank, if abused enough the seal will become weaker.
Keep your gallon stock tanks out of the sun as well to help prolong the life of the seal. This is also beneficial in keeping algae growth down in the water.
