I just got a new octogon shaped fish tank but the sealent on some of the glass edges is peeling. The tank doesnt leak but I'd still like to reseal it...are there any good products other than actual aquarium sealent that will work?
2007-03-12 09:08:41 · 6 answers · asked by skyelark209 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Yeah, you can use plain 100% rubber silicone sealant from Home Depot. Just make sure that it does not say Mildew Resistant.
The aquarium-specific stuff you can apply when you tank is full of water; with the home depot stuff, you have to wait till it's dry.
2007-03-12 09:12:08 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 1⤊ 7⤋
You want to use pure silicone sealant. Many silicones are not.
Another point to consider is the "cure rate" of the silicone; many even pure silicones have different formulas for different cure rates. This is why many even pure silicones you may purchase as Home Depot or similar are not good for aquariums.
I have repaired and even built aquariums for almost three decades now and what happens with the fast curing formulas is that they pull away from the joints and seams while curing leaning a weaker bond that is prone to leaking down the road.
Many low end aquarium builders also use these often cheaper formulas and these aquariums often leak.
There is a reason that Dow Corning and GE have patents on their formulas and I would buy nothing else.
Avoid CRL which is often commonly sold for aquariums too.
For more information about aquarium silicone apllications, please read this article:
http://aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/2007/03/aquarium-silicone.html
2007-03-12 13:39:39 · answer #2 · answered by Carl Strohmeyer 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Go to the hardware store. GE has a 100% silicone sealer. It cheaper than the aquarium stuff and just as safe. BTW make sure there are no additives like "mildew resistant" those would be toxic to the fish.
2007-03-12 10:05:02 · answer #3 · answered by SabrinaD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scrape out all of the previous silicone. metallic wool the corners till they're sparkling. notice the silicon frivolously into the corners, making specific to stay away from bubbles. gentle the silicon mutually with your finger. permit it set for no less than a week before you place water in it. you may get aquarium silicone at maximum puppy shops.
2016-10-18 05:15:07 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marine silicone sealant works best. Found in most fish stores however the same sealent is found at home depot just read the lable. If it is animal and human safe, it is safe for your fish. If you aren't sure ask.
I also believe the name from the store is marine X a silicon /acrylic sealant that works on fiberglass, glass as well as rubber etc.
2007-03-12 15:08:30 · answer #5 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
http://www.all-glass.com/products/other/silicone.shtml
2007-03-12 09:51:19 · answer #6 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋