silicon set time?

[ScienceAchieved]

I used some "100% silicon rubber aquarium sealant" to anchor some dry rock together, and secure a pvc burrow. The instructions state it takes 48 hours before its safe to submerge. Its been about 72 hours, and the odor is still pretty strong, though it seems stable. Should I continue letting it sit, or is the smell normal?

 

[SaltyReefDog]

The cure times are for really small beads of silicone 1/16-1/8" thick. It will take at least a week if not longer for bigger seams or blobs to fully cure. Definitely do not add it to the tank if there is any inhabitants in there. Even "aqurium safe" silicone will kill a tank if not fully cured.

Happy Reefing

 

[Dmorty217]

Let it sit, if you smell odor it's not fully cured. Put it outside or use a fan to speed up the cure

 

[ScienceAchieved]

Thanks alot. I definitely went a little overboard, ill put it in front of a fan. I can wait, there wont be anything live in the tank for a few weeks, just eager to aquascape it

 

[W1ngz]

Silicone sets by combining with moisture in the air. If you'e keeping a relatively low humidity in the room, try and increase it to shorten set time.