Silicone

[lorenz0]

whats the best silicone to use in an aquarium? My glass for my baffling is being cut right now And I wouldn't mind starting tonight. Dropping into Home Depot later today for some other stuff, so I wouldn't mind making it a one stop

[rayjay]

I couldn't find any that said aquarium use when I was at Home Depot, but I got tubes of Rona's own silicone that used to say it was good for aquariums but now says it isn't.
It is supposed to be the exact same silicone in the tubes according to Rona, but the disclaimer in this case is a safety measure to avoid litigation according to the salesperson.
I've used it to repair and reseal 3 tanks in the last year since the wording was changed and have had no problems to date.
Many brands of silicone are not suitable though, like GE II which has something added that can kill off tank inhabitants I've been told.

[globaldesigns]

Hey, I found a great page that explains silicones, the basics, applications and so on. I hope this link helps.

http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/03/aquarium-silicone.html

[BlueWorldAquatic]

GE 2000 is the best, commercial grade with no anti-mold additives.

Regarless, do not use any kitchen and tile stuff, due to anti-mold stuff.

Most tank builers use it.

Ken

[Ross]

GE 2000 is the best, commercial grade with no anti-mold additives.


I've used GE silicone 1 for building and resealing several tanks.
Salt and Fresh and never an issue.

Mitch at Bowvalley uses GE2000, but sayes that silicone 1 is almost as good.

Just make sure that you give it a few days to cure fully before adding water.

[vessey]

I have also used ge silicone 1 several times it worked good and is easy to get at hardware stores.

[shrimpchips]

GE 1 100% silicone rubber is probably the easiest to find at a hardware store and should be more than sufficient for securing your sump baffles.

[Chipie]

This silicone at Home Hardware says on the tube that it's safe for aquariums.(Sorry it's showing the place it's written in french :( ) I used it to make a sump without any problems.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o76/Chipie30-06/silicone.jpg

[lorenz0]

Sweet thanks guys. I will keep my eye on the label for no anti-mold solution in it

[Ross]

BLUE one
http://reefchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/GE-Silicone-I-reef-safe-300x225.jpg


NOT the red one.

[Wayne]

BLUE one
http://reefchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/GE-Silicone-I-reef-safe-300x225.jpg


NOT the red one.

+1, GE used to say aquarium safe but took it off for previously mentioned liability issues (didn't want to pay for water damage if a pane fell off)

Must say 100% Silicone! With no additives.

[shrimpchips]

There's two blue ones ;)

Make sure it's silicone 1 not 2 (also in a blue tube) as 2 has mildew guard in it.

[fkshiu]

GE I if I'm simply doing resealing. GE SCS1200 if I'm building or attaching glass to acrylic.

[Lampshade]

Lots say 100% silicone but still say mildew/mold resistant. That's the big thing to watch for, mold/mildew resistant also means that it's got chemicals in it to stop that.

+1 on GE Silicon 1, just did my tank/sump in that and works great. I have an acrylic sump that i used weld-on 4 then silicone. The silicone has not shown any water bubbles yet even, it probably could have sealed the acrylic itself... probably...

Lots of youtube video's on doing silicone jobs if you havn't before. Most say to use painters tape on the seems, i did, works great. If you havn't siliconed before like me use the wide tape... I'm still scraping bits off as i see it since i used the 1" tape and i'm sloppier than 1" apperently.

[lorenz0]

Well i picked up my glass today. FML. Measured it 1/4" to short. So I will be looking for:
A - something to space it out
B - Glob on the silicone
C - Pay $45 again for properly sized glass

But sounds like GE silicone 1 is the way to go. I will look for it when I go shopping

[rayjay]

If it's only 1/4" too short, have them cut the matching panels to suit the short panels.

[shrimpchips]

Are your baffles 1/4" short? So there's a 1/8" gap on each side? If it's less than 1/4" it should be fine to just fill it with silicone.

[lorenz0]

yep just 1/8 on each side. Decided just to goop it on with silicone.