Silicone Or Not?

[§tudz]

Hi,

I'm currently making a divide for one of my tank, from 5mm plexiglass. Would it be ok to use normal bathroom sealant to join the base to it? or do i have to use specialist silicone?

Many thanks,

 

[Fighterfish]

Hi,

I'm currently making a divide for one of my tank, from 5mm plexiglass. Would it be ok to use normal bathroom sealant to join the base to it? or do i have to use specialist silicone?

Many thanks,

Hi,
There is a thread already on this. However, all it basically says is that as long as the sealant you're buying says 'aquarium safe' on it then it is ok.
Thanks

 

[Suriliel]

Normal bathroom silicon has chemicals in it that may kill your fish. I've never used it but I've been looking into that as well (have a 35 gallon that doesn't quite seal anymore) and I've had many strong cautions against using normal silicon.

 

[§tudz]

thanks for the replies, I'll have to take a trip to the LFS before work tomoz and pick some up, if the sealent isn't ok to use, I'll have to check.

Thanks,

 

[Fish'InMN]

I have never built or repaired an aquarium, so take this advice with a grain of salt:

The silicon I commonly see referred is a GE Windows and Doors, NOT the bathroom stuff. This is because, as was mentioned, there is a fungicide in the bathroom silicone. The GE tubes generally do not say they are aquarium safe, I think, but this may just be a liability issue. The stuff you pick up from a LFS is the exact same thing that GE sells in their normal tubes, it is just marketted directly to the hobbiest and hence costs a lot more.

HTH,
Marty

 

[§tudz]

I have never built or repaired an aquarium, so take this advice with a grain of salt:

The silicon I commonly see referred is a GE Windows and Doors, NOT the bathroom stuff. This is because, as was mentioned, there is a fungicide in the bathroom silicone. The GE tubes generally do not say they are aquarium safe, I think, but this may just be a liability issue. The stuff you pick up from a LFS is the exact same thing that GE sells in their normal tubes, it is just marketted directly to the hobbiest and hence costs a lot more.

HTH,
Marty

GE?

 

[Fish'InMN]

Right, didn't look at location, sorry. GE is General Electric, they make just about everything immaginable including silicone.

I have no idea what the selection is like across the pond, , so you will have to rely on others' opinions and experiences.


Sorry about that,
Marty

 

[§tudz]

Right, didn't look at location, sorry. GE is General Electric, they make just about everything immaginable including silicone.

I have no idea what the selection is like across the pond, , so you will have to rely on others' opinions and experiences.


Sorry about that,
Marty

lol ok no worries

 

[Mertus]

most places like homebase and b&q dont sell it, i get mine from a local diy woodworks shop for like 4 quid for a small tube.