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Hi all, got a question for you DIYers out there. What makes aquarium silicone different from regular silicon, like the kind you get from the home builders stores? Is there something that makes it safe for fish? on the packaging it just says 100% silicone rubber.

To my knowledge there is no difference. Some may contain mold inhibitors, but that should be identified on the packaging (wouldn't use them). I've used these larger tubes many times in the past to make and/or repair aquariums. Much cheaper in the long run.

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

GE "Silicone I" is aquarium safe...most others contain mold-inhibitors or other chemicals that can leach into the water, or are just not strong enough for use below a water-line.

Theres gotta be something that makes it tank safe...I'm just not sure what it is atm...

I've used that GE Silicone II or something like that in my tanks with no ill effects.

It's much cheaper than buying tube after tube of AGA silicone too.

What are you planning on using it for?

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I've used that GE Silicone II or something like that in my tanks with no ill effects.

Never "Silicone II", just "Silicone I"....the former specifically warns against using on aquariums on its packaging.

Last edited by Toirtis at 11-Feb-2005 20:35

divertran

What I am going to say might sound very silly and simple. Just contact the manufacturers of the silicon. They should have a technical section & that is why they are there.

Keith

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Hi, and thanks all for the help. I was planning a diy project where you tank pvc piping and glue aquarium gravel on it with silicone and use it for caves. was gonna provide a few hiding places for flipper when I put his newer, larger tank together. I saw the idea online somewhere, and thought it looked like an interesting way to hide all that white piping

Last edited by divertran at 12-Feb-2005 15:57

When I resealed my tank I remember I used the one that said "DOOR AND WINDOW."

Stay away from the one that says "KITCHEN AND BATH."
As others have stated, it contains a type of chemical which makes it "mildew resistent."

...Although I can't remember if it was version 1 or version 2 I used.

I believe version II now has a label that says "not for aquarium use" which I believe is due to complaints about the silicon not being strong enough for aquarium construction. Picture an in-experienced first-time DIYer building a 200 gallon tank. GE is protecting themselves from lawsuit.


If its a large project you're working on, I recommend wearing some type of latex or rubber gloves.



Last edited by livebait at 13-Feb-2005 16:11

I dicovered today that Mastercraft silicone from Canadian Tire is also aquarium-safe...so I bought a tube to try out on some show tanks I am constructing this week.

the GE site says they don't recommend any of their products for aquariums, as they may leach aammonia into the water(unless I forget what it actually said). I dunno, I'll just stick with the stuff at petsmart

I do not know what site you were looking at divertrain, but the GE sealants site recommends a number of their products for aquarium construction:

http://www.gesilicones.com/gesilicones/as1/en/grade/mastergrade_series_non_color.jsp?masterGradeId=1002319&industryId=1000002&applicationId=1000015&applicationAreaId=1000034&SMSESSION=NO
http://www.gesilicones.com/gesilicones/as1/en/industry/industry_application.jsp?industryId=1000009&applicationId=1000580&applicationAreaId=1000090&SMSESSION=NO

'K, I was wrong, I was lookin at a diff site, just did a search on ge silicones and that was what I found. I'm glad that they do, Thanks