DAP 100% Silicone from Lowes Store.

[sammybenjamin]

I am resealing the inside edges of a 100 Gallon saltwater aquarium. It is hard to find the AllGlass 100% aquarium silicone sealant in the 10.1 oz size so I was looking for a substitute.
One aquarium store agent told me to use the DAP 100% Silicone from Lowes Store. The product itself does not claim any aquarium use. The company agent emailed me that they canot reccommond it for use with aquariums.
Can anybody with experience with resealing tanks and using silicone advise me if it will be safe to use this product and keep the tank together as any other aquarium sealant would ? Is there a subsititute which can be easily available to me?
I will appreciate all responses. Thanks.
- Sammy.

 

[rsd]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I know a few people argue with me on this one but NEVER use dap or GE. I know they say 100% silicone and all that but the fact is that batch by batch there is no control or conditioning of agents. Since they do no recommend the use of these products on food related items they may or may not have anti-bacterial agents... also the producers do not have to worry about cross contamination. Your 100% sil. tube may have been filled or handle the mildew resistant stuff on the batch before. Also since they don't need to worry about food grade materials they can change the chemical make-up and add anti-bacterial elements without notification... after all that would only improve their product for day to day use... right?
I don't know about you but I have spent over $5000 into my tank... I would hate to risk t trying to save $50 on silicone.
In an emergency I used a dow corning product I bought from a fish store. The only reason I trusted it was because their commercial grade is also their food handling grade and I read the full MSDS sheet (material safty data sheet). But I still worry that over time it may not stand up to salt water.
Good luck... its great to be frugle... I'm a cheap bast$$d... but I don't risk my investments, and a reef tank is a huge investment.

 

[sammybenjamin]

Thanks for your response. Its makes sense after all is said and done that it might be worth just ordering the 10.3 Oz AllGlass 100% Aquarium silicone for about 12.99 each.
I wanted to comment on your choice to use DOW Silicone as they are safe with food. When I read fine print on the DAP 100% Silicone tube it says "This product is manufactured by Dow Corning and marketed by DAP."
I hate to wait until I can get the right silicone in mailorder but it might be the right thing to do.
- Sammy.

 

[rsd]

Yeah I know. But I figure it's like ford and mercury... one company 2 plants. Like I said I was desperate when I bought the dow stuff and the only reason I did was because it was their food/commercial grade. Which means they have to disclose all "harmful" agents. If I coulda waited I would have gladly as this stuff was $9.89 a tube and about $50 worth of worry. You better believe I have 2 full tubes of aq. sealant now... even though I currently have no use for it.
Just my 2 cents.