Aquarium safe silicone

[Baseman422]

My LFS is out of silicone, is this one I found at the store reef safe?

 

[reddevilant]

I don't believe so because of the anti-mold statement. When I did my tank I used GE silicone too but it was a red and gold tube. Just make sure it's completely plain with no additives/anti-mold agents.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

I wouldn’t use it because if the mold free on label.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

You can typically get RTV-100 series in several places. RTV-108 is clear. Many manufacturers use this. I know you can get it on Amazon and Grainger, but I've also seen it randomly at Lowe's and places like that

 

[JaimeAdams]

Most people will tell you that GE 1 is fine to use. The mold free label is just the silicones natural resistance to mold. GE2 has mold inhibiting additives. I agree that if you can find Momentive RTV 100 series to use that as it has a much better hold.

 

[BrandonS]

GE 1 not GE 2 or GE 1*. At least that's what I have always used. Haven't had any issues in 6 years.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

Basically whatever GE is for "windows & doors" should not have additional mold inhibitors in it. The "kitchen & bath" does.

I think GE changed their numbering, so 1 became 2 and 2 became 1 and it got super confusing for a while.

Also people started to say they used the "right one" but still had problems. What no one realizes is that for a butt joint (i.e. tank seam) where you have silicone filling the void between 2 parts or a thick bead, etc - silicone takes time to fully offgas and set up. It will hold structurally within about 48-72 hours, no problem, so you can do a water test at that point. But it still takes 2-3 weeks to fully offgas, and if you put an assembly right into your tank at 72 hours, you're likely going to have problems.

So people do that and then point the finger at the silicone or the person who told them to use it.

 

[Baseman422]

So. It says 100% Silicone and I looked at the label in the store before I bought it. I didn’t see any type of ingredient list. But sure enough, when I got home I read the back again and it says not recommended for aquariums…

so, i ordered som from BRS and will wait til Monday lol

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

They will always say "not recommended for aquariums" because they haven't paid for the testing and certification that would pass muster for their liability insurance. Basically.

You'll find a lot of things like this. For instance, pool filter sand is a popular substrate in some freshwater tanks. It's just silica sand, you can get the exact same stuff at Menards for less than half the price of actual "pool filter sand" as Leslie's Pool Supply. Literally the only difference is that the manufacturer paid to be able to label it as "pool filter sand".

 

[Malcontent]

So. It says 100% Silicone and I looked at the label in the store before I bought it. I didn’t see any type of ingredient list. But sure enough, when I got home I read the back again and it says not recommended for aquariums…

so, i ordered som from BRS and will wait til Monday lol

100% silicone just means it's not a silicone-latex blend which is inferior according to the marketing department. If you look at the SDS there's more than one ingredient so it's not really 100% anything.

 

[BOWHUNTER4250]

I set up a DD300 about 4 years ago now and i am running a bare bottom tank , i wanted something to put on the bottom so my rock was not sliding on the glass bottom . I used marine board and glued it in place with Momentive RTV108 ( black ) and ran this over every seal on the tank .
this stuff is stronger than cement and works great !

 

[Labridaedicted]

You'll probably have to order it, but def get some RTV108