I know this is a never ending question. I'm resealing a 29 gallon for my sump and installing baffles. I can't get GE 1 brand here, the closest place is almost an hour away. Anyway I have several tubes of DAP 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant. It's food safe and I believe FDA. Will this be safe of should I wait till I can get somewhere which might be a few weeks. Thanks
DAP brand silicone
- Thread starter 75gsalt
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jdargonaut
New member
The experts will probably respond soon, I'm not one of them, but I think its because these sealants lack adequate adhesive strength. They are meant to be used primarily as sealants, not to resist against constant pressure. There are special silicones made for that purpose, I don't think they can be found at Home depot or Lowes. Might have to look at Grainger or another supplier. If its for baffles, then probably not a big issue, even if the seal breaks you shouldn't have to worry about a flood. As long as its foodgrade. From the research I've done here on RC I wouldn't trust the GE or DAP to hold a tank together though.
Tek
Mr. Vu
LOL! That is why I am not married.
The liability issue is understandable. I can just see someone building a tank with it and failing miserably. On the other hand I have used the GE I silicone to seal baffles in a 29G sump and after 2 years still holding strong, but after reading some threads the high strength bonding stuff is available at Graingers and it is just a block down the street from my work.
uncleof6
Active member
Especially when WAF is involved, Momentive RTV108, available at Grainger, is the only way to fly. A few dollars more, and piece of mind. With holding against pressure, it is cheap insurance.
With GE I, it is obvious, that Momentive still does not have faith in the product for aquarium applications. Can you think of a good reason why you should? GE I is 'safe', and it CAN work, (the DAP really not much, if any, better-- unless it is 732 or sumptin.) RTV100 series is 'safe,' and WILL work. Pretty simple choice, I would think....
True, it is sump baffles, but why build something that CAN work, if you know what WILL work..... again simple choice. Jeesshhh typing in circles, keyboard happy......
Jim
With GE I, it is obvious, that Momentive still does not have faith in the product for aquarium applications. Can you think of a good reason why you should? GE I is 'safe', and it CAN work, (the DAP really not much, if any, better-- unless it is 732 or sumptin.) RTV100 series is 'safe,' and WILL work. Pretty simple choice, I would think....
True, it is sump baffles, but why build something that CAN work, if you know what WILL work..... again simple choice. Jeesshhh typing in circles, keyboard happy......Jim
Binarywhisper
New member
I agree although any of the Momentive RTV 100 series works as the final digit only indicates color. I also use their IS800 & 1200 series both of which I find flows better and the 1200 is not that hard on the nose.
According to product engineers at Momentive " it is rumored that both of those products have been used many times by many large commercial aquariums with success".
That is the closest you can get out of them for a recommendation due to liability issues but the data sheets tell the story.
uncleof6
Active member
Actually, I have gotten closer out of them, back in 2004, and again last year. The most common used silicone, by tank manufacturers/builders that use GE/Momentive silicones, are RTV108 and IS808. 8 being clear, and 3 being black, the only two really being used for aquariums.
Although you are almost correct on the 100 series silicones, there are some differences. 102, 103, 108, and 109, the only difference is color, and can be used in overhead and vertical applications such as an aquarium. 106 is a high temperature silicone, and red, you could use it in an aquarium, but why? 116 is a red high temp, self-leveling product and not suitable for vertical seams. 112 and 118 are also both self leveling products not suitable for vertical seams. I will agree, that the RTV 100 series is some wicked stuff-- which is why it works so well, and it is generally easier to come by locally, than SCS1200-- which works just fine also, but from experience, I would say the RTV edges out the SCS1200, though the SCS1200 has a higher tensile strength. I don't use the SCS much, so I often neglect to bring it in to the discussion.
Jim
Although you are almost correct on the 100 series silicones, there are some differences. 102, 103, 108, and 109, the only difference is color, and can be used in overhead and vertical applications such as an aquarium. 106 is a high temperature silicone, and red, you could use it in an aquarium, but why?
116 is a red high temp, self-leveling product and not suitable for vertical seams. 112 and 118 are also both self leveling products not suitable for vertical seams. I will agree, that the RTV 100 series is some wicked stuff-- which is why it works so well, and it is generally easier to come by locally, than SCS1200-- which works just fine also, but from experience, I would say the RTV edges out the SCS1200, though the SCS1200 has a higher tensile strength. I don't use the SCS much, so I often neglect to bring it in to the discussion.Jim
