Is it OK to 'anchor' power cords with silicone?

[jaylach]

My cube tank has a flip up lid that is a bit of a pain when doing maintenance. The problem is that the cord/air tube entries are just two little squares. When I lift the lid these cords and air tubes tend to move around getting pinched when I close the lid. It is just a pain having to hold cords and tubes in place when I close the lid.

I can't see an issue with my plan but want to make sure. I DO have some aquatic grade silicone. I'm thinking about using a drop of the stuff to 'glue' the power cords and air lines where I want so I don't have to mess around when closing the lid. I really can't see an issue as the silicone is aquatic grade and non hardening so it could be removed.

I guess my real question is whether to glue the cords and tubes to the actual cutouts in the lid or to the top of the tank under the lid's cutouts. May seem like a dumb question as either would work but there is the factor that I just want to glue once. If I glue to the top edge of the tank opening the lid causes zero stress on the silicone. If I glue to the openings in the lid every time I open the lid it will flex/stress the silicone but gluing to the lid's openings would be MUCH easier to position. I'm inclined to glue to the lid's openings.

Really makes no difference either way but I'm just curious as to how others would approach doing this.

 

[Fishmanic]

Perhaps duct tape would work better

 

[jaylach]

Perhaps duct tape would work better

I thought about tape but am worried about possible toxins due to the adhesives contained in tapes.

I have also thought about modeling clay as, I believe, it is pretty inert. Shoot, I could even drill a couple of small holes and use plastic wire ties.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Something like this might work....its removable too which is handy when replacing stuff

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[jaylach]

Something like this might work....its removable too which is handy when replacing stuff

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

I took a quick look at your link and it seems the stuff is more protective than adhesive.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

There are some that have adhesive too that not only keep cables under control but anchor them

Or use cable ties....you have to be creative with this pastime and adapt things to work. I use cable wraps and ties and have no issues whatsoever.....

Cable wrap + waterproof Gorilla double sided tape....for example...the tape is non toxic and extremely strong and its transparent too

 

[jaylach]

There are some that have adhesive too that not only keep cables under control but anchor them

Or use cable ties....you have to be creative with this pastime and adapt things to work. I use cable wraps and ties and have no issues whatsoever.....

Cable wrap + waterproof Gorilla double sided tape....for example...the tape is non toxic and extremely strong and its transparent too

OK................. A lot of suggestions but nothing saying there is anything wrong with my using soft set aquatic silicone to anchor the lines. It is said to be creative so what is not creative, or safe, in using silicone to anchor things? I mean, if I want to move things, it peals right off. Shoot, I already have the silicone.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

You asked for alternative solutions to using that silicone...I gave you what you requested, makes no difference to me if you use them all not....all I did was answer your question and supply different things...take it or leave it.

 

[itiwhetu]

use silicone it will be fine

 

[jaylach]

You asked for alternative solutions to using that silicone...I gave you what you requested, makes no difference to me if you use them all not....all I did was answer your question and supply different things...take it or leave it.

Ah, while I do really DO appreciate your input I didn't really ask for alternatives. My question actually was if using the silicone I already have would be OK to anchor things. If my initial post did not properly express the actual question I apologize.

 

[jaylach]

use silicone it will be fine

Thank you for your pithy response. Sorry if you had to click the link for pithy but it became a favorite word for me due to a dear friend that is no longer here. Pithy is a actually a REALLY cool word.

 

[itiwhetu]

Thank you for your pithy response. Sorry if you had to click the link for pithy but it became a favorite word for me due to a dear friend that is no longer here. Pithy is a actually a REALLY cool word.

Well, you wanted to know. The answer is. Go for it

 

[itiwhetu]

To be honest I have used silicone to stick almost anything in an aquarium but never plants.

 

[jaylach]

Well, you wanted to know. The answer is. Go for it

Thank you for the 'go for it'.

To be honest I have used silicone to stick almost anything in an aquarium but never plants.

Why never for plants? I would assume that it would restrict the roots but don''t actually know.

 

[itiwhetu]

Thank you for the 'go for it'.

Why never for plants? I would assume that it would restrict the roots but don''t actually know.

I would never use any glue on plants, it affects the way they grow; plants need to be able to grow their roots naturally