Does silicone still smell when fully cured?

[hobbzz]

I siliconed my new sump last friday and it still smells like vinegar. Can't smell it unless you stick your face next to it though.

The only thing I've been able to come up with when searching though, was two threads where people said that the smell was acetic acid and won't do anything other than possibly cause a ph drop. One post claimed that Randy (from the chemistry forum and "Randy's Two Part") had stated this, but I couldn't find him saying anything like that. Others said that the smell is ok as long as it doesn't "knock you socks off" like it does when first applied. The thickest bead is about 1/4" to 5/16" thick, it's hard, and it's been in low 70 degree temps the whole time... Should I be safe since the smell is barely there? Thanks.

 

[MrZ]

Last time I picked up a small tank from the pet store the silicone still had a faint vinegar odor. I imagine it had been sitting there awhile. I'd give your silicone 48 hours and then put it to work.

 

[customcolor]

i agree with MrZ

 

[hobbzz]

Do you guys mean 48 hours from when I first applied it, or another 48 hours from now? Because it's been about 102 hours as of right now.

BTW Rob how did your DC trip go?

 

[customcolor]

i would have to say go a head and do it know

 

[hobbzz]

THat's what I was thinking you meant. When I made the last sump (10aga with baffles), it had to sit for about three weeks so I didn't have to worry about curing time. Thanks.

 

[siropa]

i've used plenty of silicone after just 24hrs when it still clearly smells and noticed no ill effects. my only concern is if it was under a lot of pressure and maybe you were filling up too big of a gap and the silicone was thick. for what i'm guessing is your new sump or a repair, it has to be fine by now.

 

[MrZ]

Aye - meant 48 hours since first applied. You would want to wait longer to obtain the highest strength if you were building a tank from scratch, but you are out of the woods as far as the silicone leaching anything interesting into your water and your baffles aren't going to be under much pressure.

 

[hobbzz]

Yeah it's just holding the baffles in. And since the original factory seal leaked on the last brand new tank, I put a HUGE bead over the factory seal on this one.