Can Sponge Excel really burn you?

[AydenLincoln]

I’m keeping some sponges and had been dosing A LOT of SpongeExcel (sodium metasilicate) to hopefully keep the sponges alive. Is it really corrosive/acidic like? Does it really burn you and other organisms? I’ve touched it before not on purpose though and some is stuck to my aquarium glass and it won’t come off grrr but it wasn’t until someone mentioned something which I didn’t believe then I read the instructions again. Is that just a warning they have to put on like warning this chemical is flammable or can cause cancer according to the state of California lol or it like bleach a chemical that really is acidic and can burn you? Am I doing more harm than good and will I hurt other animals in my tank?

 

[AydenLincoln]

So I guess it’s somewhere in acidity between soapy water and bleach. I learned. Why is soap/soapy water even next to bleach on a pH scale lol? I will gladly rub my hands in soap…bleach not so much.

 

[elysics]

I managed to remove stains on glass from silicate by forcefully polishing it off using titanium cleaner magnet blades.

I've also gotten a small scratch at some point like that, so ymmv.

 

[DaJMasta]

Since you know what it is, sodium metasilicate, you can search for an SDS (safety data sheet) for that chemical. The ones you'll find are likely for much higher concentration solutions, but that will mean that the solution you're using is probably somewhat safer and less problematic - Brightwell doesn't publish an SDS for it on their site, so it's unlikely to be powerful enough to require one, as dangerous chemical formulations are required to have them under many countries' laws.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Since you know what it is, sodium metasilicate, you can search for an SDS (safety data sheet) for that chemical. The ones you'll find are likely for much higher concentration solutions, but that will mean that the solution you're using is probably somewhat safer and less problematic - Brightwell doesn't publish an SDS for it on their site, so it's unlikely to be powerful enough to require one, as dangerous chemical formulations are required to have them under many countries' laws.

Okay thank you! I was looking. That’s reassuring and I know we expose ourselves to chemicals all the time it’s virtually impossible not to in a modern world. I was worried about my livestock as well so that makes sense.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sodium silicate solution is high in pH and should be treated accordingly. There is no gas released, but don’t splash it on you.
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[taricha]

FYI, spongexcel isn't super concentrated. (probably a good thing)
things labeled "water glass" etc are far higher concentrations. Once added to water, they are not a risk. but irritation totally possible, and I'd rather not think about getting any in my eyes.