I have this bottle of %100 silicone that says it's safe for aquarium use- it even has a yellow tang on the bottle. My question is, is it really safe to use in the aquarium? I'm trying to scape a complex rock work in the aquarium and will most definitely need to glue some rocks together. I bought a container of AF Poly Glue from Aquaforest because the description from the website said it could be used for corals and rocks, but after reading the instructions on the packaging, it says that it's reusable and biodegradable- wouldn't that mean that my rocks would eventually become loose again?
Are aquarium safe silicones actually safe?
- Thread starter LuizW13
- Start date
NeoReefer91
New member
I've only ever used them on the outside of my tank leading to the sump as the pipes were a bit loose I use stone fix on my rock work wouldn't suggest using silicone on them tbh 
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Sounds Fishy
New member
If your silicone says it is safe for aquariums,it is good to use.The type of silicone that you do not want to be using contains chemicals to impede the growth of mildew ,algae etc. and is used in bathroom installations.Some of those tubes will say they are not safe for aquarium use.
Silicone glue doesn't seem to bond well to live rock,however,and there are better types of glue or putty specifically,for gluing ,live rock.
Silicone glue doesn't seem to bond well to live rock,however,and there are better types of glue or putty specifically,for gluing ,live rock.
It doesn't bond well to live rock because it's wet? I'm curing dry rock right now, but i can let it dry before applying the silicone. I'm assuming i'll have to let it cure/dry for a few hours before putting it in water, right?
This product contains Ethyltriacetoxysilane and Methyltriacetoxysilane -Acetic acid is evolved when it cures.
Any problem with the above?
This product contains Ethyltriacetoxysilane and Methyltriacetoxysilane -Acetic acid is evolved when it cures.
Any problem with the above?
What a dead tank that will eventually be live?
mcgyvr
New member
100% silicone is safe to use..
BUT.....PAY ATTENTION HERE...
you want to make sure that the silicone is FULLY cured before exposing it to water/anything living or they will die because of the chemicals it puts out during curing..
It can take days or longer (week+) for silicone to cure too depending on how big of a "glob" you are using....
BUT.....PAY ATTENTION HERE...
you want to make sure that the silicone is FULLY cured before exposing it to water/anything living or they will die because of the chemicals it puts out during curing..
It can take days or longer (week+) for silicone to cure too depending on how big of a "glob" you are using....
ericarenee
New member
after the instructions on the tube or from manufacture says so .
mcgyvr
New member
Accept they typically only state a cure time for like a 1/8-1/4" bead and if you are using it to "stick" rocks together that bead could be a much thicker glob..
Best to do a couple "test globs" as big as your largest "glob" and check them (cut into them with a knife) after X days then again days layer if not fully hardened through..
Depending on the type you used the vinegar smell associated with it curing is a good indicator its not cured yet.. If you smell it chances are it still needs to dry..
I used thermo morph in my tank. works great
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D...ermo+morph&dpPl=1&dpID=51PE8i9yIzL&ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D...ermo+morph&dpPl=1&dpID=51PE8i9yIzL&ref=plSrch
Those are helpful tips, thanks!
That looks similar to the AF poly glue. Are your rocks holding up nice?
Works really well. Once pushed into a crevice and dry it's not coming apart.
As noted, silicone is reef safe once fully cured (even the type with the mythical mold inhibitors). I also let silicone cure for at least a week before using it, often two weeks. GE 1 silicone, for example, is an acetoxy cure silicone, so it will smell like vinegar until it cures - but still wait a week. GE 2 in neutral cure, so it doesn't smell like vinegar. Unlikely that it will be effective at holding rocks together; better to use epoxy putty. Also, don't cement them together - at some point you will need to pull your rocks apart.
I guess that makes sense, since the water from the aquarium won't get nearly as hot as needed to make it melt again.
I just ordered some epoxy/putty from two little fishies!
Some time by the end of the week, i'll post a pic of the aquascape to the thread!
mcgyvr
New member
The neutral cure blends are just naturally more "mold resistant" hence its marketed as being better at inhibiting mold.. But no additional chemical are typically added to achieve that...
The "myths" started around here because the neutral cure takes longer to cure vs the acetoxy kind and people were just using it too quick and having problems.. Its the lack of a full cure that was causing the issues though and in no way related to any of its "mold resistant" properties..
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