Silicon

Tom Highum · #1 10-14-2009, 10:57 PM

I was wondering every bodies views on what type of silicon to use in a semi aquatic tank. Parts of the silicon will be submerged. Also is it ok if any GS is showing in the water part, will it leach any thing?

beckdg · #2 10-15-2009, 12:14 AM

100% pure silicone. ge 1 or 2 seems to be a hit. windows and doors if you wish to be specific. either way if it's not aquarium silicone you're not paying $10 a tube.

as far as the algaecides like microban and whatnot ge has admitted that it has been in their silicones all the while whether printed on the tube or not. many people have used it and not had issues at all. if you're paranoid give it 2 weeks before you put any animals in.

Tom Highum · #3 10-15-2009, 12:45 AM

How long do you normally let it cure?

beckdg · #4 10-15-2009, 09:24 AM

it depends for me really. my 50 gallon fish tank got to cure for about a month while i was doing other things. my crabitat only cured for a few days but it spent that time with a high powered fan blowing directly in it. if i were to put animals in anything i would at least give it 3 days or more under any conditions (fan or not).

the big factor to keep in mind really is the smell. if it still smells at all it's best to wait. if you're not putting a fan in there i'd give it a couple days after the scent is gone. if you are putting a fan in there 24 hours after the scent is gone may be sufficient.

if you do use a fan remember the fan will be blowing the scent out so it'll be hard to smell anyway. for this reason the way to test it is to take the fan out for about a 1/2 hour and then smell it. you can put a lid on it for this time to get a better idea of the strength of scent also.

eddyplaner · #5 10-17-2009, 09:57 AM

Hi Folks,

Like what Tom Highum just mentioned earlier, can GS (foam spray) to be totally submerge in the water, will its leach toxic chemical into the water or GS falling apart when being submerge for long time?

Can you the gurus please advise ?

beckdg · #6 10-17-2009, 10:33 AM

gs should be fine wet in most cases. gs does break down slowly over time when wet. it gets spongy for quite some time first though. toxic chemicals in most cases is not an issue. there's one that froggsong has seen to be more of an issue with bubbles in the water though. i would personally try looking that up and avoiding it. she did mention something about a blue lid but i don't exactly remember if that was the bad one for sure. there is also one for ponds that lends some security since it's made specifically for such an application. that one conveniently sprays a black foam too.

Tom Highum · #7 10-17-2009, 06:39 PM

What if there are only a few little gaps the other parts are covered in silicon?

beckdg · #8 10-17-2009, 07:02 PM

should be fine.

Tom Highum · #9 10-18-2009, 01:10 AM

How thick can you do GS?

beckdg · #10 10-18-2009, 01:38 AM

depends... that's a very general question.

you'll want to keep it thin at first so when it expands it doesn't rip things apart or shatter your glass.