How long does an aquarium last?
At some point, as an aquarist, you ask yourself how long the aquarium actually lasts. After all, you don’t want to run the risk of the lifespan being exceeded and the aquarium bursting. Water damage like this can be really annoying. But you can leave an aquarium standing for ten to 15 years.
Some aquariums can also get older. It all depends on the care of the aquarium. It is generally recommended to replace the silicone seams every eight to ten years. These are the places where the pelvis is glued together.
How do you reseal the silicone seams?
Renewing the silicone seams takes a lot of time and patience. The tank must be completely empty and dry so that the seams can be redone. But first you need accommodation for the inhabitants of the aquarium. The plants and the substrate must also move out.
Since you have to remove everything from the tank anyway, you can take the opportunity to clean the substrate thoroughly by rinsing it with water. Next, the aquarium must be completely dry. Then you put some cardboard on the edges of the pool and glue it in place. The pelvis is held together well with a tension belt if you then remove the old silicone. Once the old silicone has been removed, the new one can be applied. That may be a bit thicker than the old one. Once the new silicone seams have dried, the pool can be set up again.
Useful tips for replacing the silicone seams:
- the fish can comfortably «live in between» in a paddling pool or bathtub
- the pool should be set up in a place that is not sensitive to moisture
How should you properly care for an aquarium?
Proper maintenance of an aquarium is not only important for the quality of the water and the health of the fish and plants, but also for the life of the aquarium. If it is not cared for or only poorly cared for, the silicone seams can break more quickly.
A water change should be done at least every two weeks. The pane can be cleaned with a magnetic aquarium sponge. A knife or ceramic hob scraper can be used for heavy soiling. However, this must not come into contact with the silicone seams. It could damage them and cause the pool to leak.
The substrate is regularly vacuumed off with a hose or mulm vacuum. The mulm is healthy for the pelvis and does not have to be removed too thoroughly. When feeding, the rule “less is more” should be used. The fish may be fed daily, but only as much as they can eat immediately. Leftover food pollutes the water. You also have to check on the plants regularly.
They must be cut back and dead parts removed from the tank. The filter can also be cleaned from time to time. But once a month is enough, as good bacteria settle in it.