silicon

[fishinsouthga]

i need to resilicon my sump with new baffels i just got a new protien skimmer and i was wonder what silicon to use, is the ge silicon 1 ok to use on aquariums? is there another product i can buy a like home depot or something, the aquarium store sells a product for 31 dollars a tube im sure it can't be that expensive. pls advise

thomas

 

[Anonymous]

I used the DAP 100% silicone on my sump. Whatever you get make sure it does not have and chems like mold inhibiter. I think the GE stuff is still OK, but you need to make sure you grab the right one. One is safe the other is not. The DAP stuff is food grade rated.

 

[Len]

Hi Thomas,

I asked around when I was installing my tank (had to silicone an overflow into my tank). I was informed by several sources that GE Silicone I is safe. Silicone II is NOT safe though, but it is the more common type sold at stores. GE012 and GE012A are FDA approved so they should definitely be reef safe too.

 

[ChrisRD]

I have always used GE Type I Door & Window (blue tube) and never had a problem.

 

[Anonymous]

You'll have to look around for OLD silicone type 1. If you look now it's type 1*

The new tubes say "not for . . . Aquariums." So you shouldn't use it.

I just ordered 4 tubes of Perfecto brand from petsmart. $5.99 each. Free shipping over $50.

Also, if you're just adding baffles to your sump, Lowes/HD sell the small (3oz.) tubes of "aquarium Silicone" Look in the glue/paint section.

B

 

[Anonymous]

I'd use DOW 795 building grade silicone sealant. The stuff works great and it cures much better underwater than any other sealant out there. I use it all the time and it is the bomb. It is standard black but last time I looked it came in about 15 colors ranging from clear, to tan, to grey, to black etc...

 

[fishinsouthga]

found a tube of "aquarium silicone" from all glass at home depot in jacksonville, beat that luck! thanks for the help guys


thomas

 

[ChrisRD]

You'll have to look around for OLD silicone type 1. If you look now it's type 1*

The new tubes say "not for . . . Aquariums." So you shouldn't use it.

I've used the stuff with the new labeling too. Same stuff. No problems.

 

[Anonymous]

long term? Same as the type II. it's okay short term, but I worry about long time use.

 

[ChrisRD]

I really think it's just a labeling thing (like the deal with Southdown sand). I've had no problems with years of continuous use. JME...

 

[Anonymous]

Type I* just started showing up in the last year or so. The old Silicone I was the good stuff. check out a tube next time you're at HD.

B

 

[ChrisRD]

I just got a tube about a month or so ago - seems like the same old Type 1 stuff - just has the new blurb on the label.
I guess I'll find out if it holds up over time... :wink:

Over the years they've actually revised the labeling several times. IIRC correctly it went like this:
-Years ago Type II had no mention about aquarium use in the disclaimer. Type I actually had aquariums in the listed applications.
-Some years later they dropped aquariums from the Type I label and actually added "not for aquarium use" to the Type II label.
-Now apparently they've added this to the Type I label as well...

As far as I can see, the stuff hasn't changed over the years despite the labeling changes. That said, if you can find stuff intended for aquariums for $6 a tube that seems like the way to go...

 

[bleedingthought]

The aquarium silicone tubes at home depot are much smaller than the GE tubes, though.

I just bought GE Silicone I (blue tube) that says no aquarium use. I'm going to use because I really feel it's just for liability issues. Nothing else has changed.