DIY - Projects & Ideas • G.E. Silicone 1

[FeatherfinFan]

Here's a link to a previous thread on the same topic some good links on it
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/view ... icone+safe

[Shleemazl]

You can try underwater epoxy for gluing rocks, PVC, etc... This stuff cures underwater as well as dry, is completely non toxic and will permanently hold pourus material. Here is a link.

http://marinedepot.com/aquarium_miscell ... sp?CartId=

[stsurbrook]

Just as an FYI...

I spoke to Tom at GlassCages.com and he said that they DO sell 10.4oz tubes of aquarium silicone, though it is not listed on their web site. Price is $6.00 each. All you have to do is pay shipping (varies, depending on where you live). I ordered 4 tubes today to secure my foam background (when I get it finished) and to have some extra in case I need it. IMO, it is worthwhile because I KNOW this is the correct stuff and the price premium is only about $1-2.

Tell him I sent you.

Thanks.

Scott

PS. I have no financial interest in GlassCages.com and I am not receiving any type of compensation for this. I DID buy a 115g tank from them about three weeks ago.

[Fuzzytbay]

A lot of questions in this post, Yet they all seem to revolve around a common thread. What type of silicon to use in a aquarium. Obviously, anyone that is list for aquriums will work. They are expensive compared to other ones though. Stay away from kitchen/bath, they have a fungisided to kill molds, and mildew. I use the least expensive 100% clear silcon I can find. This must cure for at least 48, before having water put in the tank, I also rinse the joints first, with water, then drain, and let dry over night. I have never had a lost fish from this method. If you are building the tank, and not just repairing a leaky one, it is more in how the joint is filled with the silcon then with anything else.

[stan buckalew]

Ever tried gluing rocks together with silicon? I have. It sucked. Not to be confused with stuck, which it didn't.

Alas, there is another choice.

There is a foam product similar to that used to fill/insulate cavities in walls etc that you can find in the water garden section of most builder supply stores like Lowe's or Home Depot. It is primarily designed for pond water fall construction, comes in black, and is listed as fish safe. Costs about $14 a can, American.

I've tested it and it holds well.[/i]

[creepingdeath086]

as long as its 100% silicone, it is fish safe, from what i hear...please correct me if i am wrong

[stan buckalew]

The brand that is definitely 100% silicon is called Silicon I and is made by G.E. (?) and is currently available at my local Wal-Mart.

The issue withsilicon is not to buy any that say "mold/mildew resistant" as these have an inhibitor in them made from slow release arsenic! At least, that's what I've been told.

I would assume any 100% silicon is safe, with the above exception.

[Smokey]

Dow Corning - "732"
Rtv Sealant
100% silicone Rubber
Acetic acid is released durning application and curing.
Commerical and aquariums

GE Silicone
Constructiion
1200 Series Sealant
Acetic acid is released durning application and curing
Used by All-Glass and other manf.
Manf. and sold for contracters use only.
Reason - may cause reproductive systems effects and Liver enlargement.

Smokey

[mars23]

from GE about GE I:

DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS OF THE BUSINESSES MAKING UP THE GE PLASTICS UNIT OF GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES (GEP), ARE SOLD SUBJECT TO GEPS STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICABLE DISTRIBUTOR OR OTHER SALES AGREEMENT, PRINTED ON THE BACK OF ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND INVOICES, AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. ALTHOUGH ANY INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS, OR ADVICE CONTAINED HEREIN IS GIVEN IN GOOD FAITH, GEP MAKES NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, (I) THAT THE RESULTS DESCRIBED HEREIN WILL BE OBTAINED UNDER END-USE CONDITIONS, OR (II) AS TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OR SAFETY OF ANY DESIGN INCORPORATING GEP MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, RECOMMENDATIONS OR ADVICE. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN GEPS STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE, GEP AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES SHALL IN NO EVENT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS RESULTING FROM ANY USE OF ITS MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN. Each user bears full responsibility for making its own determination as to the suitability of GEPs materials, products, recommendations, or advice for its own particular use. Each user must identify and perform all tests and analyses necessary to assure that its finished parts incorporating GEP materials or products will be safe and suitable for use under end-use conditions. Nothing in this or any other document, nor any oral recommendation or advice, shall be deemed to alter, vary, supersede

We don't recommend any of our products for underwater submersion, but some aquarium manufacturers do choose to use our products on glass to glass aquariums. The products they use most often are RTV108 or IS808. These are industrial grade products. Our consumer grade (this means they would be found at Home Depot or a local hardware store) offset to these industrial grade products is GE012A (Window and Door Silicone I).

[creepingdeath086]

not to harrass you mars23, but do you work for GE, just out of curiosity?

[mars23]

not at all...I work in a hospital...and never worked for them. Just something they sent me long time ago and figured i'd post it. GE II has better all round (plastics, rock...etc.) adhesive properties than GE I. Although GE I and II rate glass binding at 7, GE I holds glass better (and this is not GE telling me this, I discovered this myself along with many others. Both can be used, you just need to get the windows and doors (blue tube) and not bath and kitchen (red tube, has mildew prevention, fungicides..etc.). The one difference between GE I and II besides binding properties is the way they cure. GE I cures via acetic acid and GE II via ammonia. I just figeured I'd post this stuff to clear the confusion I thought everyone had known. The disclaimer about not for aquariums is, from what i had known to be circulating (not sure of the truthfulness about it though) is that GE was sued when a big aquarium fell apart and lots of water damage...etc. to this persons house. Now the questions remains whether this person applied the silcone properly and allowed it to cure properly before water was added. I know i leave it for at least a week. From what i've heard (again not sure of its validity) is that AGA uses GE I and the disclaimer previosly mentioned seems to point that without naming AGA. Take all this for whats its worth...just additional information. I've always used GE I without problems and many advanced reefers use it to. Hope this clears it up.

[ArmeyGal]

What about the GE Silicone II 100 percent clear window and door formula is that safe for aquariums??

[mars23]

as i mentioned above, both can be used, as long as it is windows and door.

[TexasJason]

thanks for putting all these threads together, very helpful information.

[Mattf]

Technically, the "100% sillicon" is misleading. They are not "100% sillicone" if arsenic is added to prevent mildew and fungus. However, it is my personal belief that the amounts of arsenic would be very insignificant. There is arsenic in normal tap water, just in very small amounts. However, I still wouldn't use it myself.

Does anyone know if the tube of GE I sillicon claims to be food safe?

I think the best would be something food safe and aquarium safe... I don't know about that DAP product...