Silicone OK to use? Squidd?

thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
I am almost finished with my sump/fuge for my new clown breeder tanks. The last of the silicone is curing now. My GF just read the label of the silicone and found the following:
"not recommended for underwater use".

I used DAP 100% silicone sealant.
Is this just a warning that they put on there or have I totally screwed up? If I screwed up, how can this be fixed?
Let me know 'cause I water test tonight
GO ILLINI!!!! :cheer:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Water testing will tell...:D
Can't say I've ever seen "not for underwater use" on a tube of true 100% silicone sealant....have seen "not for aquarium use"...
But I've never paid much heed to that either..
Was/is it a clear "sealant"...??
If it's a "true" 100% silicone sealant it should be fine... despite the "disclaimer" (more of a liabilty issue than an application incompatibilty)
Either way ...if it's together now and has had a chance to "cure" ...fill it up and give it a try...
Actually if all you did was glue the baffles in you 'll be fine..I've built tanks from the ground up with the stuff...
 
thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
Ran into a small snag. The hose that connects to my utility tub basin sink was just a little short. Instead of being smart and getting a longer hose I thought I would stretch it a little by moving the sink a few inches (has "soft" connections right?). Bad idea, the sink water connection started leaking like crazy. Oops.
Going to try again after a quick hardware store trip this morning.
Here is a website that has the silicone I used:
http://www.dap.com/retail/retail_det...5&prodhdrid=25
I'll take a pic of my tank in a few minutes and post it to see what you think.
 
A

andretti

Guest
I hate to tell you this but you screwed up. That is silicone that is made for outdoor/indoor use. It will release toxins into your tanks and destroy everything!
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Nooo...:nope:
It's the indoor sink and Tub silicone that has the mildewcides that will mess you up...:yes:
 
mikegray

mikegray

Member
sooo squid.. i need to silicone my sump/fuge u help me with. i already did the IPS weldon 3 glue for acrylic but i wanna double do it to make sure its holding up for years.... im gonna silicone the inside.......... what silicone is 100% safe for my tank and really good?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...02074%3A202105 would this one be good? and strong u think? for silicone the inside of my sump and fuge just to make sure. hehe???? let me kno squidd :)
 
melbournefl

melbournefl

Member
Virtually all silicone has the "not for aquarium use" warning, as squidd said above, more for liability than safety concerns. If the silicone is 100% silicone and not made for kitchen an bath use, it's probably okay. I personally prefer the ACE hardware clear 100% brand, it has FDA approval for use in food handling facilities and it's the only one I found with that credential. I've used it on tanks with no ill effects.
Just my .02 and probably worth a bit less,
Paul
 
dskidmore

dskidmore

Active Member
You'll get more for your money in the hardware section. Just make sure it's 100% silicone, and isn't "mildew resistant" or have any other special properties gained by additives.
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
$5 for Three ozs...??
I'd rather pay $5 for a quart tube from the Hdwr store.. Ace, GE or DOW brand.. 100% clear silicone sealant...
(hint...it really is the same stuff....:yes: )
 
mikegray

mikegray

Member
but knowing my luck ill get some stuff taht will Mess my entire tank up... ill buy it and post it for u guys to agree.. im buying to tonight but not using it till saturday or sunday... hehe
 
N

nluchau

Guest
The name says it all. I dont think there would be any questions whether its safe or not.
 
zman1

zman1

Active Member
Originally Posted by MikeGray
this is what i have..... good for my sump/fuge?

funny thing the specs on the DAP official Auquarium sillicone : Meets ASTM Specification C 920, Class 25, Type S, Grade NS http://www.dap.com/docs/tech/00000688.pdf
Are the same as the
DAP® 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant
· All-purpose, indoor/outdoor use
· Watertight seal
· Long-lasting flexibility
· Minimal shrinkage
· 50 year durability guarantee
It meets ASTM Specification C 920, Class 25, Type S,
Grade NS and has a 50 year durability guarantee. http://www.dap.com/docs/tech/00000683.pdf
All Dap products http://www.dap.com/docs/catalogs/us/product_guide04.pdf
Another great note Shelf Life: 1year -- how true, only buy what you need. I had to pitch two tubes as the turned into silicone grease after two years unopened.
I believe, I agree with everyone that said it is the same, but due to liability reasons they put a disclaimer on the cost effective version... I guess the addtional 2-3 dollars are to cover the insurance/litigation potencial of the Auqarium marketed version, or more likely put a squeeze on the niche market............
 
dskidmore

dskidmore

Active Member
razor blade.
I did that to a badly assembled tank, but found it beoynd my skill to fix. (They had cut the bottom pannel to fit inside instead of beneath the sides. Repair would have required cutting a small piece off of each side. I havn't bought the glass cutting tools yet.)
 
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