silicone

TangMang232 · 02-12-2008, 06:01 PM

So i am re-sealing a 55 gallon fish tank and need to know the best brand of silicone to use. Any suggestions?

lcstorc · 02-12-2008, 06:03 PM

Safest think is to use the Aquarium silicone. I believe it is made by DAP but not certain. Some people say you can use the regular 100% silicone but be very sure it does not have any anti-mildew ingredients and be sure to fully cure it before adding water.

heels92 · 02-12-2008, 07:14 PM

I just did mine a month ago.

Give yourself at least 2 1/2 days for the whole procedure.

Just use regular silicone. It dries non toxic. Follow the directions on the tube, you will need a full tube, you don't want to run out once you get started actually applying it. Needs to cure for at least 48 hrs. If you have any questions on this, please feel free to pm me as well. It seems more daunting than it actually is. Just be patient.

Make sure you go to Lowes/Home Depot and get a good comfortable glass scraper/razor. That is the hardest part (not that it is that hard.)

YOUR HANDS WILL GET SORE from scraping the existing silicone off. Make sure you get it all out. That took about 2 hrs (patience.) My wife helped me scrap the old out.

Patience in this ordeal is key. If you have lifestock, they will survive and, if you lose some things it is better to get this sealing right than have to do it all over again.

I am not a very patient person, but this hobby definitely helps you learn some.

I know you did not ask for all of this advice, but I gave it anyway.

Darrell

Varga · 02-12-2008, 07:25 PM

GE silicone I from HD works great and is safe. I know people who have been using it for many years. make sure you do not use GE silicone II.

cracker · 02-12-2008, 07:48 PM

I also used GE silicone I to reseal my tank. It was several years ago with no "apparent" issues.

DaveK · 02-12-2008, 08:11 PM

I also found that using course steel wool about #1 or #2 will remove that last film of silicon that always seems impossible to scrape off.

In addition, cleaning the seams with isopropyl alcohol will remove any last traces of dirt, grit, oil, and so on, and help the silicon adhere to the glass.

Be sure the tank it completely dry before you start to reseal it.

heels92 · 02-12-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK

I also found that using course steel wool about #1 or #2 will remove that last film of silicon that always seems impossible to scrape off.

In addition, cleaning the seams with isopropyl alcohol will remove any last traces of dirt, grit, oil, and so on, and help the silicon adhere to the glass.

Be sure the tank it completely dry before you start to reseal it.

Ditto...

mps9506 · 02-12-2008, 08:40 PM

pfff.... I just use bubble gum and duct tape

tbittner · 02-12-2008, 09:01 PM

Man, if they made double sided duct tape it would be really easy, wouldn't it?

TangMang232 · 02-13-2008, 08:29 PM

yeah im in the process of removing old silicone. I found out why the tank is leaking as well. The back piece of glass has no silicone along the edge of the bottom and face of the back. Understand what im saying lol?? Neways whats going to be the best procedure to fixing this. I Was thinking about trying to force it inbetween having the glass spread out a bit and then removing the wedge and then lightly clamping it allowing it to setup. I also plan on cutting a small piece of glss and piecing into the bottom to help "reinforce" from the pulling pressure. Sound like a plan. Neways ill keep you guys updated and try and get some pics of the project up. Thanks for the help

PS i bought 4 tubes of the GE silicone I. If i do a good job on the 55 I have 3 210 gallons i can fix lol.

TangMang232 · 02-14-2008, 12:01 AM

okay so i purchased the wrong silicone. There is two different types of silicone one. Blue label (plaster and drywall) and red label (bathroom fixture).

I took back the 4 tubes of the wrong silicone only to find that my local Home depot had 1 tube left and will not be carrying anymore. The only lowes around is a paint store only lowes. Great luck huh lol

Anyways are there any other BRANDS that would work and be safe?? thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it greatly.

Woodstock · 02-14-2008, 05:27 AM

This is the only silicone that is made for aquariums (both fresh and saltwater). It is only about $3.50 per tube and can be found at Lowes, Home Depot and maybe Walmart.

TangMang232 · 02-14-2008, 11:45 AM

i did see that DAP made 100% silicone in tubes, but didnt really say weather or not it was fish safe. I did read the ingredients and to be honest I wouldnt know what any of it ment lol. I like them in tubes because when i use the caulk gun, I get a much better line that is more consistent lol.

reefsmoker · 07-03-2008, 02:41 PM

caulking rubbermaid containers? I'm trying to make a nano sump/refugium/wetdry, it's only a 9gal container, dunno if it will stick, anyone tried it? any advise is welcome, thanks reefsmoker

glampka · 07-03-2008, 04:19 PM

While many may have had good results with GE Silcione I or II I would caution you against using it. It is NOT intended for constant water submersion as outlined on their product information sheet. The material may also contain mildewcides which will have an adverse effect on your livestock.

02-12-2008, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
TangMang232 Ricordea Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 187 View Gallery Karma Komment	silicone So i am re-sealing a 55 gallon fish tank and need to know the best brand of silicone to use. Any suggestions?

02-12-2008, 06:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,952 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: silicone Safest think is to use the Aquarium silicone. I believe it is made by DAP but not certain. Some people say you can use the regular 100% silicone but be very sure it does not have any anti-mildew ingredients and be sure to fully cure it before adding water. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

02-12-2008, 07:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
heels92 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mount Pleasant, SC Posts: 248 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone I just did mine a month ago. Give yourself at least 2 1/2 days for the whole procedure. Just use regular silicone. It dries non toxic. Follow the directions on the tube, you will need a full tube, you don't want to run out once you get started actually applying it. Needs to cure for at least 48 hrs. If you have any questions on this, please feel free to pm me as well. It seems more daunting than it actually is. Just be patient. Make sure you go to Lowes/Home Depot and get a good comfortable glass scraper/razor. That is the hardest part (not that it is that hard.) YOUR HANDS WILL GET SORE from scraping the existing silicone off. Make sure you get it all out. That took about 2 hrs (patience.) My wife helped me scrap the old out. Patience in this ordeal is key. If you have lifestock, they will survive and, if you lose some things it is better to get this sealing right than have to do it all over again. I am not a very patient person, but this hobby definitely helps you learn some. I know you did not ask for all of this advice, but I gave it anyway. Darrell __________________ 65 gal reef with fish. 250 14k mh, 2 2x96in actinic pc, berlin protein skimmer, 10 gal sump, uv sterilizer, phoban reactor. soft, lps, and some sps corals. 2 gobies, 2 clownfish, coral beauty, fridmani, 2 blenny's, mandarin, brittle starfish.

02-12-2008, 07:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Varga Golden Moray Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,317 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: silicone GE silicone I from HD works great and is safe. I know people who have been using it for many years. make sure you do not use GE silicone II.

02-12-2008, 07:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
cracker Acropora Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North East Florida Posts: 1,785 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone I also used GE silicone I to reseal my tank. It was several years ago with no "apparent" issues.

02-12-2008, 08:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 653 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone I also found that using course steel wool about #1 or #2 will remove that last film of silicon that always seems impossible to scrape off. In addition, cleaning the seams with isopropyl alcohol will remove any last traces of dirt, grit, oil, and so on, and help the silicon adhere to the glass. Be sure the tank it completely dry before you start to reseal it.

02-12-2008, 08:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone pfff.... I just use bubble gum and duct tape __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

02-12-2008, 09:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: silicone Man, if they made double sided duct tape it would be really easy, wouldn't it? __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

02-13-2008, 08:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
TangMang232 Ricordea Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 187 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone yeah im in the process of removing old silicone. I found out why the tank is leaking as well. The back piece of glass has no silicone along the edge of the bottom and face of the back. Understand what im saying lol?? Neways whats going to be the best procedure to fixing this. I Was thinking about trying to force it inbetween having the glass spread out a bit and then removing the wedge and then lightly clamping it allowing it to setup. I also plan on cutting a small piece of glss and piecing into the bottom to help "reinforce" from the pulling pressure. Sound like a plan. Neways ill keep you guys updated and try and get some pics of the project up. Thanks for the help PS i bought 4 tubes of the GE silicone I. If i do a good job on the 55 I have 3 210 gallons i can fix lol.

02-14-2008, 12:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
TangMang232 Ricordea Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 187 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone okay so i purchased the wrong silicone. There is two different types of silicone one. Blue label (plaster and drywall) and red label (bathroom fixture). I took back the 4 tubes of the wrong silicone only to find that my local Home depot had 1 tube left and will not be carrying anymore. The only lowes around is a paint store only lowes. Great luck huh lol Anyways are there any other BRANDS that would work and be safe?? thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it greatly.

02-14-2008, 05:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,681 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: silicone This is the only silicone that is made for aquariums (both fresh and saltwater). It is only about $3.50 per tube and can be found at Lowes, Home Depot and maybe Walmart. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

02-14-2008, 11:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
TangMang232 Ricordea Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 187 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone i did see that DAP made 100% silicone in tubes, but didnt really say weather or not it was fish safe. I did read the ingredients and to be honest I wouldnt know what any of it ment lol. I like them in tubes because when i use the caulk gun, I get a much better line that is more consistent lol.

07-03-2008, 02:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
reefsmoker Serpent Star Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 202 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone caulking rubbermaid containers? I'm trying to make a nano sump/refugium/wetdry, it's only a 9gal container, dunno if it will stick, anyone tried it? any advise is welcome, thanks reefsmoker

07-03-2008, 04:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
glampka Achilles Tang Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 841 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: silicone While many may have had good results with GE Silcione I or II I would caution you against using it. It is NOT intended for constant water submersion as outlined on their product information sheet. The material may also contain mildewcides which will have an adverse effect on your livestock. __________________ We are the people our parents warned us about! JB 30 gal mixed reef 12 gal mixed Aquapod, 70 W MH 12 gal JBJ cube - mixed reef 12 gal Aquapod - work in progress

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