Want to learn how to seal aquarium decorations?
Aquarium decorations tend to age and lose their sheen making them unappealing and dangerous too. The outer layer of these decorations can start to decay in the water and if left untouched can easily ruin the water quality.
This is why all aquarium owners are requested to take care of their aquarium decorations and always seal them beforehand.
The benefits include:
- Increased Longevity
- Aesthetically Pleasing
- Good for the Fish and Plants
If you are not taking the time to learn how to seal aquarium decorations, they are going to age poorly and it isn’t going to bode well for your aquarium. It’s best to stay out in front of these problems rather than assuming everything will be okay.
There is nothing worse than letting aquarium decorations sit in an aquarium for too long. You should protect your aquarium decorations and make sure they age gracefully.
For those trying to figure out how to seal aquarium decorations, this guide will shed light on what works, what to use, and how to use it the right way.
Table of Contents
Best Sealant for Aquarium Decorations (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- Waterproof seal stops leaks
- Permanently flexible; does not crack or shrink
- Easy to apply long-lasting bond
Last update on 2023-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips On How To Seal Aquarium Decorations
Tip #1: Start with a High-Quality Underwater Sealant
An underwater sealant is one of the best things a person can do when it comes to short and long-term health of their aquarium.
Remember, it’s not just the aquarium, but also the rest of the elements including your fish that are going to be exposed to decaying aquarium decoratons.
As a result, you want to start with a high-quality underwater sealant for aquarium decorations. This is a must-have as it will seal any weak parts that are exposed in the aquarium and will make sure they don’t break open.
There are also additional advantages of using a good underwater sealant for aquarium decorations.
The benefits include:
- Holds Well Underwater
- Long-Lasting
- Ideal for Aquarium Decorations and Aquariums
What constitutes a high-quality underwater sealant for aquarium decorations?
When learning how to seal aquarium decorations, you will want to check whether or not the sealant is waterproof, if it is made of silicone, and how easy is it to apply.
You don’t want a situation where it’s impossible to take the non-toxic silicone sealant out of the tube! This happens a lot and it is not going to be a pleasant experience during the application process.
Be aware of these details and only go with a tube that is lightweight and easy to handle. This is a must!
Tip #2: Cover the Weak Spots
As you learn how to seal aquarium decorations, it’s all about the weak spots.
You have to find those weak spots on your aquarium decorations and make sure they’re appropriately coated with the sealant.
While doing this, you don’t have to pour it on and create mutiple layers of sealant! Instead, it’s okay to cover enough of the decoration to make sure it isn’t visible.
As it dries, the sealant is going to do its job and the aquarium decoration will strengthen. This is the goal of the application process, so make sure to do it methodically.
If you try focusing on other spots or overdoing things, it will become impossible to let the sealant dry. It’s not going to look good at all.
This is why it is better to stay patient and make sure to learn how to seal aquarium decorations properly.
Tip #3: Let it Dry First
How long are you letting the sealant dry in your aquarium?
You will want to wait for it to rest at least an hour or so beforehand. This means taking it out of the water and just letting it dry in the open air. This will do a lot to make sure the sealant holds and doesn’t look off as soon as it mingles with the water.
You want to ensure everything is in harmony and that will only happen after the drying period.
If you wait at least an hour to let the sealant dry, it will look better and it will hold.
Otherwise, the sealant may come undone and that renders the entire process useless. As you learn how to seal aquarium decorations, this is a key detail to think about.
Tip #4: Test the Water Quality
Have you taken the opportunity to test the water quality?
Unfortunately, a lot of people learn how to seal aquarium decorations and then forget about the water in their aquarium!
You have to test the pH level and make sure it stays stable. If not, there might be another lingering issue that is causing the water quality to fluctuate. Don’t always assume it might have to do with your aquarium decorations as that isn’t always the case.
Final Thoughts
This is how to seal aquarium decorations the right way.
Start with a good sealant for aquarium decorations, apply carefully, and make sure it is allowed to dry. As long as you do this, the results will be in line with what you desire.
It’s also smart to take a look at the rest of your aquarium and use the sealant to fill out cracks in the base.
Here are a few relevant articles on aquariums to read through – adding new aquarium decorations, great overflow box for aquarium, having more tannins in an aquarium, and how to save aquarium plants from dying out.