Aquarium Silicone..

Jflip2002 · 03-31-2007, 11:33 PM

Alright, so Im gonna get this overflow put in, along with the FSB siliconed down tomorrow. I did some searching, and on RC I found people said as long as it says "100% silicone" its good to go. IS this true? And is this 100% silicone going to be as strong as this silicone used to put the tank together? GE5000 was a Part Number of one of the silicones someone said they used.

Anyone with a FSB, or who used any silicone, what did you use?

Cyberdude47 · 04-01-2007, 12:12 AM

I don't know personally I wouldn't use anything unless it says "aquarium safe". I use a home hardware brand and have for years and have complete trust in it

JustinMUSM · 04-01-2007, 12:17 AM

I asked this question once as well. I believe Home Depot and Lowe's has a tube of silicone (the type that goes in the "gun") that says "Aquarium Safe" on it. I'm sure it's cheaper than the silicone sold by other aquarium companies who market it specifically for aquariums.

Loverotties · 04-01-2007, 02:33 AM

I forget if it's GEI or GE II one is pure 119% and one has the mildew additive,you want the pure.

JennM · 04-01-2007, 05:50 AM

GE Silicone I - the stuff for windows & doors. Do NOT use the stuff for bathrooms it has anti-mildew chemicals that will kill your fish.

The GE Silicone I comes in "gun" style caulk containers.

We've resealed a number of tanks with it.

To make it nice, put masking tape on either side of the seam you're going to seal. Run your bead of silicone, wet your finger and smoothe out the bead onto the seam, then pull the tape right away for a nice clean line.

Let it cure at *least* 24 hours.

Jenn

leveldrummer · 04-01-2007, 08:34 AM

there is a GE II type that is safe to use too, but it takes a little longer to cure, the main thing you want to avoid is any that have mildew killers in it, all the silicones are going to say "pure" silicone, but the GE I for windows and doors is your best bet. like jenn said.

mg · 04-01-2007, 09:02 AM

I had bought GE II for windows and doors and noticed that it did say pretects against mold and mildew when fully cured. It also said not for aquariums on the back somewhere. I didn't find any at HD that didn't have any mold additive. I ended up buying a tube (that goes in a caulking gun, I was surprised they had one that big) of the AGA stuff at the LFS for $8.

JennM · 04-01-2007, 09:06 AM

The day I bought the GE I, I was standing in Home Depot, on the phone with the 800-number on the tube. I asked them specifically which brand had NO chemicals in it, and they told me that one.

We re-sealed the 75-g tanks in our shop (bought them used - needed to re-seal a bunch of them) and 5 years later, no issues (watch - one will spring a leak now!).

We've used that for a variety of uses in the shop and for customers over the years. It's the ONLY one I'd trust that isn't packaged and marketed for aquarium use. The aquarium use stuff is usually way expensive - and it's the same stuff with a different label. Plus, we use it in quantity and those 3 ounce tubes for aquarium use aren't enough.

Stick with what's safe (pardon the pun!) GE Silicone I for windows and doors. We buy the clear stuff.

Jenn

hng · 04-01-2007, 09:33 AM

I agree with Jenn, use GE silicone 1 for windows and doors. It's what I used for my overflow and baffles in my sump. No problems at all, and I researched it forever on the web too.

Cyberdude47 · 04-01-2007, 10:24 AM

know anywhere that you can get a safe (black) silicone??

JennM · 04-01-2007, 10:25 AM

The GE I, may come in black too, I'm not sure.

Jenn

leveldrummer · 04-01-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberdude47

know anywhere that you can get a safe (black) silicone??

i have yet to find any, but ive always looked, it probably does come in black, but it sure isnt carried by any hardware store around here.

zxcv123 · 04-01-2007, 12:13 PM

I used all glass aquarium silicone,

Jflip2002 · 04-01-2007, 02:38 PM

Sweet, thanks for all the input. Im imagining that should be ok for my little overflow/diffuser i plan on making inside my tank. Along with relocating my overflow in the corner of the tank.

Jflip2002 · 04-01-2007, 05:01 PM

ok, so I went and got the GEII for window & door. But this container says "with bioseal, mold & mildew protection". Now will this kill the fish? I read this and the bath & kitchen one, and that one said something along the lines of it having an ingredient that kills mold & mildew. And this one doesnt... It just says it has the bioseal protection.

Its also barcode #5000, and someone recommended GE5000. Im hoping this will be fine?