"Aquarium" Silicone vs. 100% Silicone?

ScottWV1 · 02-24-2002, 12:22 PM

Hello all -

I'm getting back into the hobby after being out for the past year. I'm making some tank/sump mods and was wondering if you could tell me whether I need to get the special 'aquarium' silicon or whether I can just use the 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant I picked up at Lowes? My large tube of aquarium silicone has dried up and I'm just wondering if it really makes a difference?

The stuff I just got from Lowes is by DAP, its clear, and its designed for caulking around gutters, windows, doors, siding, etc....

Thougths?

Thanks,
Scott

organicreefer · 02-24-2002, 02:35 PM

same thing,100% silicone is 100% silicone

sff1334 · 02-24-2002, 03:02 PM

stay away from bathroom silicon it has antifungal additives.

ScottWV1 · 02-25-2002, 07:28 PM

thanks for the info. Sounds like this stuff is aquarium safe -

I noticed on the back under "For Best Results" it states "not recommended for continuous underwater use"... that surprises me!

I can't believe that this is really any different that the aquarium silicon... I'm wondering if the manufacturer is just covering their butt for some reason....

has anyone ever used this and had it hold up over the long-haul?

Thx again -
Scott

organicreefer · 02-25-2002, 08:37 PM

yes,i use it,and if im not mistaken,oceanic uses ge silicone to build tanks.

dattack · 02-26-2002, 04:23 AM

AllGlass Aquariums uses GE silicone I Door and Window. It comes in a blue and white bottle. Don't use silicone II.

ScottWV1 · 02-26-2002, 07:05 AM

So, 2 questions:

What is "GE" silicone & how can I determine if the silicon I've got is the same (or equivalent)? It is manufactured by Dow Corning...

What is the difference between Silicon I and Silicon II? and how can I tell which kind mine is? Would the diff between them be that one is the special bathroom kind that is antifungal?

Thx!
Scott

organicreefer · 02-26-2002, 09:19 AM

yes silicone 2 has additives."aquarium" silicone is simply a marketing scheme,you definitely have the right stuff,100%silicone is 100%silicone

icemark · 02-26-2002, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScottWV1
I noticed on the back under "For Best Results" it states "not recommended for continuous underwater use"... that surprises me!

That screams to me that it is not safe and should not be used, that you have a caulking compound and not a true aquairum safe silicon adhesive.

I have built glass tanks with compounds like that and it will fail.

Also I have never seen DAP make a true 100% aquairum safe adhesive. They might make it, I just have never seen it.

organicreefer · 02-26-2002, 09:37 PM

DAP sells aquarium silicone in small"squeezable" tubes at HD

its pretty simple guys ,there is 100%,and then theres the other stuff,as long as it says 100% silicone rubber,rest assured you have the right stuff.

02-24-2002, 12:22 PM	#1
ScottWV1 Citizen Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 122	"Aquarium" Silicone vs. 100% Silicone? Hello all - I'm getting back into the hobby after being out for the past year. I'm making some tank/sump mods and was wondering if you could tell me whether I need to get the special 'aquarium' silicon or whether I can just use the 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant I picked up at Lowes? My large tube of aquarium silicone has dried up and I'm just wondering if it really makes a difference? The stuff I just got from Lowes is by DAP, its clear, and its designed for caulking around gutters, windows, doors, siding, etc.... Thougths? Thanks, Scott

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02-24-2002, 02:35 PM	#2
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	same thing,100% silicone is 100% silicone

02-24-2002, 03:02 PM	#3
sff1334 Just Moved In Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: canada Posts: 34	stay away from bathroom silicon it has antifungal additives.

02-25-2002, 07:28 PM	#4
ScottWV1 Citizen Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 122	thanks for the info. Sounds like this stuff is aquarium safe - I noticed on the back under "For Best Results" it states "not recommended for continuous underwater use"... that surprises me! I can't believe that this is really any different that the aquarium silicon... I'm wondering if the manufacturer is just covering their butt for some reason.... has anyone ever used this and had it hold up over the long-haul? Thx again - Scott

02-25-2002, 08:37 PM	#5
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	yes,i use it,and if im not mistaken,oceanic uses ge silicone to build tanks.

02-26-2002, 04:23 AM	#6
dattack Council Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: anaheim, CA Posts: 347	AllGlass Aquariums uses GE silicone I Door and Window. It comes in a blue and white bottle. Don't use silicone II.

02-26-2002, 07:05 AM	#7
ScottWV1 Citizen Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 122	So, 2 questions: What is "GE" silicone & how can I determine if the silicon I've got is the same (or equivalent)? It is manufactured by Dow Corning... What is the difference between Silicon I and Silicon II? and how can I tell which kind mine is? Would the diff between them be that one is the special bathroom kind that is antifungal? Thx! Scott

02-26-2002, 09:19 AM	#8
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	yes silicone 2 has additives."aquarium" silicone is simply a marketing scheme,you definitely have the right stuff,100%silicone is 100%silicone

02-26-2002, 09:37 PM	#10
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	DAP sells aquarium silicone in small"squeezable" tubes at HD its pretty simple guys ,there is 100%,and then theres the other stuff,as long as it says 100% silicone rubber,rest assured you have the right stuff.

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