Glue and Sealant

fishhooked

fishhooked

Member
I am currently building a skimmer using PVC pipe. I am almost ready to start glueing it together and am wondering if there is a problem with any glues or silicone sealants that are toxic to the fish.
Also, does anyone have a pump recomendation for my skimmer. It is a venturi style (24"x3") on a 25 gal tank.
 
rsd

rsd

Member
PVC glue is harmless. Just let it get at least a 10 min cure before you start messing with it.
Silicone is another story. Most "caulking" has anti-bacterials and anti-mildew agents. I stongly recommend you only use 100% silicone aquarium sealant and let it cure for 48 hours before contact with tank water.
Just my experience.
 
melbournefl

melbournefl

Member
Well I'm not sure about the stuff at big al's online store but everyone I've talked to that has built or is building a tank has used GE Silicone I for their tanks. I'm sorry but I couldn't bring myself to spend 13 bucks for a tube of the same stuff that HD sells for 3 bucks. It's the belief of most that the only reason the tubes say "not for aquarium use" is because they don't want the liability of tanks that "fall apart." Be sure it's GE Silicon 1 though, the Silicone 2 does contain harmful anti-fungal ingredients. On another note, the Clear Silicone from ACE Hardware also says it's not for aquarium use but then goes on to say that it's approved for FDA meat and poultry handling plants. I chose the ACE brand for most of my tank although I did use a couple of tubes of the GE also.
To quote someone famous around here "your tank ~ your choice"
Later,
Paul
 
rsd

rsd

Member
I know its common to use GE... I have not heard of the stuff from Ace. The problem with GE is that batch by batch their caulking is not consistent. And if they find that their #1 is not selling because of mildew they will add anti-bacterial agents and do not need to let anyone know because it is not used on food. I know one of their regional sales supervisors, I called him when I was looking at re-doing a tank, and he told me not to use their product because they would not promise that the batches could not cross contaminate or that they have and could continue to change their formula without notice.
My humble opinion. $5000 investment so far.... compair that to a $13 tube of sealant that I know I can rely on. Man My priorities are on doing it right... not doing it cheap. Don't get me wrong... there are alot of DIY projects in my set-up... but they all use top notch supplies 'cause I don't want dead critters or water on my floor.
I keep hearing "its your tank - your choice"
 
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