Local sources for safe silicone

[SkiFletch]

I understand that one must use only silicone withOUT anti-fungals and microbials, but does anyone know which brands to look for at the store? Do the Lowes/HD's of the world even carry anything that's safe? Or am I going to have to make a seperate trip to somewhere else to find some aquarium silicone? Finally have my top-bracket repair sorted out, now just need some good ole silicone. Thanks to anyone that can save me some time

 

[Woznickiaj]

HD and Lowes both carry the GE Silicone II window and door that is safe.

 

[tmz]

I've tried to figure that one out a few times. I always get confused by product descriptions and mds's for it which aren't very clear. So, I stick with stuff labled for aqaurium use which costs more but then I don't use much. I've read accounts of too many wipe outs via silcone mistakes to take a chance. I'll browsearound and see if I can find any information for you.

 

[reefman5511]

I've seen it @ Fish Place on E. Robinson in NT. GE specifically states on their packaging & product information sheet that GE II is not intended for complete immersion in water.

 

[Flanders]

If there's a Grainger near you pick up Momentive RTV108. You'll have to ask for it, they won't have it on display.

 

[Jacwil]

HD and Lowes both carry the GE Silicone II window and door that is safe.

Please do not use GE II.

After a quick RC search I found these:http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2146159&highlight=reef+safe+silicone

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2164685&highlight=reef+safe+silicone

 

[St.james of reefdom]

Dow Corning black silicone part number is 43113 you can have any store cross reference it to the clear silicone. this is the food safe silicone that is safe to use in aquariums. 100%silicone no additives...you can purchase at Sears or on Amazon or a number of other places but use the part number as a reference

 

[amazo]

My LFS carries it I have some at home will have to check brand when I get home

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, Silicone II is NOT the right stuff. All sorts of additives in that. I used to have a load of other pure RTV's at work, but they've all gone bad now.

Edit: I'll read the bottle in the store, but this looks like it might be the stuff http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1v/R-202038071/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=silicone&storeId=10051. FWIW, they do have an aquarium silicone as well, it's just in the little 2.8oz tube and I dont know if that'll be enough to secure my top brace.

 

[FreakingReefing]

GE Silicone I is the right stuff, its in the paint dept on the floor at the amherst HD.
It says 100% silicone on the bottle. Silicone II has mold additives but I is safe. Although it says on the bottle not to use in aquariums I have used it in both my fresh and now my new saltwater aquarium without an issue. It has been in my fresh for about a year. I think they just put that disclaimer on the bottle so they can sell aquarium safe also as a different product.

 

[Krypt1979]

I wouldn't use any silicone that said "Not for aquarium use". I know it's easier to just go to HD or Lowes, and probably cheaper too, but in this hobby taking short cuts often leads to disaster. Get the right stuff and you'll feel better about it.

 

[tmz]

No, it is absolutely not safe at all if it has fugnicides added. Search it up, you'll find many dead tanks.

 

[NirvanaFan]

If you're just siliconing in baffles or something, the pain (no fungicides) GE stuff you can get at Lowe's or HD will work fine. If you are doing something that requires real strength, go with the RTV-108 or similar product.

From all the research I've done, the RTV product line has more strength, and can stretch more than the GE products meant for sealing windows and doors.

 

[johno4]

GE Silicone I is the right stuff, its in the paint dept on the floor at the amherst HD.
It says 100% silicone on the bottle. Silicone II has mold additives but I is safe. Although it says on the bottle not to use in aquariums I have used it in both my fresh and now my new saltwater aquarium without an issue. It has been in my fresh for about a year. I think they just put that disclaimer on the bottle so they can sell aquarium safe also as a different product.

+1

GE I is what you want. GE II is not what you want

I have used GE I many times for many years with no problems.

 

[SkiFletch]

To be clear this is going to be used to secure my new top brace (which I made out of stainless steel) to the top of the tank. It's more for cushioning the glass from the hard metal and preventing the brace from popping upwards than anything, and it will have minimal, if any contact with the water...

 

[NirvanaFan]

You should be fine with the GE1 then. I wouldn't have any problem using it in my tank like that.

 

[pascal32]

RTV-108 from graingers. Everything I have done uses that stuff including replacing a pane of glass on the old sump. For light duty go to the lfs and get aquarium safe silicone.