Leaking livewell

[scout-j-m]

I have a thin plastic livewell which has been leaking recently. There are 2-3 spots where it has been patched before by a previous owner which either have just wore out or were probably not done right. Whatever was used to patch it dried hard as a rock and seeing how thin my livewell is, it bends slightly at the bottom with the weight of the water and probably worked them free. I'm planning on trying to remove the old patch material and re-patch. I'd like to use something that dries soft like silicone. I'm sure there are a number of things that will work just fine but just wanted to check here to see if anyone had any advice on what to use. TIA.

[Cray]

If using silicon, get Aquarium sealer. It dosnt have the chemicals in it that will kill your fish.

[wicklundrh]

My two cents... buy a replacement livewell. You can probably find one pretty reasonable and it will save you a lot in the end. Then you know it is done, overwith and taken care of.

If you are set on replacing it, you may want to try this:

Find the crack, hole, or whatever. Lightly sand a large area around the hole. Utilizing some comparable plastic material, spread Aquarium sealer around the area and affix the plaster patch over the top. For added insurance, purchase a fiberglass kit and go over the patch with that.

[scout-j-m]

I may replace it. It's a hard call because I rarely use it. It's probably only a 12 gal livewell at that and I don't have a timer on it so I usually just throw my fish in a cooler on ice. I'll probably at least pull it out to give it a better look over and then decide. If it's cracks maybe I'll try a patch and if it's worse look for a replacement.

[Cray]

If you decide to repair, Check Lowes or Home Depot. Loctite makes a 2 part epoxy that comes in a injector and mixes the right amount as you squeeze it out. It is made for repairing that type of plastic. Fiberglass will not stay stuck to that RotoMolded plastic. I have repaired broken transducer mounts with it and it is stout and tough. Main thing is scuffing and cleaning real good with alcohol.

[SeaRay]

There is a product called Eternabond. It is a tape developed and used by the Navy and commercial applications to seal leaks even underwater. I bought a roll to seal the roof edge of my Motor Home. I have also used it to seal up a hole in my transom when I removed a transducer.
Once it is on it is not coming off and it will seal most any leak.

http://www.eternabond.com/?click=4812

This is a posting on their website:
ETERNABOND® is the only MicroSealant® in a tape form available that will stop virtually any leak or water proof any surface in minutes

[wicklundrh]

Thanks SeaRay, I was looking for that yesterday on my post and couldn't remember the name of it. Great product.

[Knot2Bad]

If your tank is made of HDPE trying to put something like a sealer on top of it is iffy in my view. HDPE by nature do not take to gluing or puddy or any other type of patch. Over time things just dont stick... Replacing it is one option. Welding the tank is really the only and right way to repair it. Thats what they do with Kayaks and other products made of HDPE. Get on Youtube and do some searching and you will see what it takes. I have welded up Kayaks before with a heat gun and it is not that difficult. You will however need to take the proper steps if you want it to last. Good luck.