Losing Corals fast...question about GE Silicone II

[Carrera75]

Originally Posted by Borderjumper

I would call GE tomorrow.. There must be a number on the silicone tube. Ask them what's in it, and how long it would take to dissipate.

I was googling and found a post on some chiclid forum.. It mentioned that recently GE changed their formulas so that all of their products now contain mold/mildew inhibitors. I don't know if this is fact or not.. If this is true don't be too fast to blame your bud.. Maybe it used to be reef safe?

Water changes certainly won't hurt!

I think I read the same post. Thanks for suggesting to get in touch with GE. It's a great idea.

[Aquattro]

I used GE II on my tank and have had no issues at all. I did let it cure longer, but 48 hours should be more than enough time to seal it chemically.

[Aquattro]

However, this was over a year ago, so if the formula changed, you might be affected by it. Last year your buddy was right, GE II "was" reef safe...

[Lonster]

I just used GE II about a month ago to build my new sump. I read there was issues when it was not left to cure long enough, I left mine for about 5 days until it didn't give off a smell anymore and have had no problems with it. There are two different types, one with mildew inhibitor and one without, I was told to make sure that I used the one without. Are you sure you used the one without the mildew inhibitors?

[fishytime]

Really sorry to hear about your losses.....I guess the moral of the story is.... Don't cheap out..... It's amazing to me how many folks look for cheap alternatives for things in this hobby..... Only silicone I've ever used is All Glass aquarium silicone..... Way more expensive than GE or any other brand, but at least I KNOW that it is aquarium safe...... GEs products are not formulated with the aquarium hobby in mind and small changes in formulation can obviously have a big effect..... Again sorry for your issues

[Aquattro]

Doug, I don't think that's the moral of the story here at all. I'm pretty sure All Glass doesn't make silicone, it's just re-branded, and I wouldn't be surprised if it came out of GE. It's like buying Two Little Fishies seaweed (with the little dotted cut your sushi roll here lines) vs. grocery store nori. One is simply packaged for the hobby at a good profit for the repackager. The same with silicone.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Doug, I don't think that's the moral of the story here at all. I'm pretty sure All Glass doesn't make silicone, it's just re-branded, and I wouldn't be surprised if it came out of GE. It's like buying Two Little Fishies seaweed (with the little dotted cut your sushi roll here lines) vs. grocery store nori. One is simply packaged for the hobby at a good profit for the repackager. The same with silicone.

I realize this, but at least being branded as aquarium safe will give the consumer some sort of leg to stand on if there are any issues.....

[Mandosh]

Both GE I and GE II have "kitchen & bath" (mildew inhibitors) and "window & door." The issue with GEII, from my understanding, is the fact that it is considered "neutral cure." It doesn't realease acids as it cures (so it doesn't stink like vinegar) and because of this it can leach substances (ammonia?) into the tank water for the first couple weeks.

[Carrera75]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I used GE II on my tank and have had no issues at all. I did let it cure longer, but 48 hours should be more than enough time to seal it chemically.

Originally Posted by Aquattro

However, this was over a year ago, so if the formula changed, you might be affected by it. Last year your buddy was right, GE II "was" reef safe...

I got an email from GE and they said that it's not safe. Here is what Matthew Brown from GE had to say and I hope this helps other reefers to choose their silicone wisely in the future.

"Daniel,

Thanks for your email and I am sorry to hear about what happened. The Silicone II has a mold and mildew inhibitator in it and will never go away. Unfortunately, as long as the silicone II is in the tank, you run the risk of it killing the reef, etc. We would recommend removing all of the silicone to keep from that happening.

Matthew Brown
Customer Service Rep.
P - 877.943.7325
F - 304.746.1654"

Originally Posted by asmodeus

Wow man I'm so sorry to hear about this. Your tank was so flourishing with life

The new one was 1000 times better than the Solana.

Originally Posted by Seamazter

Do like 5% water changes every 2 days, and use alot of carbon.
This is a sad thing to see happen, if you cannot move your corals out of the tank try the advise above.

I have been doing 20% water changes every 12 hours and I am also running Purigen, ROWAphos and Kent Carbon.

Originally Posted by Lonster

I just used GE II about a month ago to build my new sump. I read there was issues when it was not left to cure long enough, I left mine for about 5 days until it didn't give off a smell anymore and have had no problems with it. There are two different types, one with mildew inhibitor and one without, I was told to make sure that I used the one without. Are you sure you used the one without the mildew inhibitors?

I guess you got lucky. I am glad that you didn't have any issues as I don't wish this to anybody.

Originally Posted by Mandosh

Both GE I and GE II have "kitchen & bath" (mildew inhibitors) and "window & door." The issue with GEII, from my understanding, is the fact that it is considered "neutral cure." It doesn't realease acids as it cures (so it doesn't stink like vinegar) and because of this it can leach substances (ammonia?) into the tank water for the first couple weeks.

I found this the hard way. Ammonia has been an issue since day one but it seems to be under control now. The plan is to take everything out to remove the silicone. I don't think I can do a few weeks of this, one week has been enough. I makes so sad to see corals that have been with me for several years slowly dying.

[Skimmerking]

Wow man I'm so sorry to hear about this. Your tank was so flourishing with life