Freshwater

236
Part III: Water, Chemicals, and Plants
Repairing a small crack
Follow these steps to repair a small crack:
1. Remove everything from the leaking tank: water, gravel, and equipment.
2. With a safety razor, remove the old silicone from the whole side where
the leak is occurring.
3. Wipe the area dry with a clean cloth.
4. Apply new aquarium sealer to replace the old sealer you removed.
5. Allow the sealer to completely dry (drying time will be listed on the
sealer tube) before adding water.
When an entire side of
your aquarium breaks
If the entire side of an aquarium breaks, get your fish into a hospital tank or
aquarium bucket as quickly as possible.
If the fish are out of water, use a clean paper towel to gently pick them up, as
the oil and other residue on your hands can damage their scales and fins.
Call a professional glass installer to have the side replaced. Replacing it yourself
is dangerous and risks further leaking. You probably would not replace
broken glass in your home’s picture window, and aquarium glass is even
more of a challenge due to the water pressure that is constantly on it. Let the
professional glass installers handle it. They know what they are doing.
Water Problems
Problems with your water can lead to stress, poor health, and death for your
freshwater friends. Here are a few of the most common water problems and
solutions to get your aquarium back on track.
Solving green algae problems
Green algae — that cloudy green gunk — is a result of having too much light
and dissolved waste in the water. Here’s what to do: