Silicone drying time?

[JustinReef]

Just wondering how long? I replaced an old glass crossbrace on my tank with a new one that is wider and thicker (for piece of mind). Wanted to see when you think I can take the clamps off?

Thanks!

 

[LTCrunch]

generally complete dry time takes about 48hrs

 

[Mako]

When the smell is gone (vinegar like) the cure is complete.

Different silicones have different cure rates and are dependent on thickness of the bead. Best to check the label or datasheet for the particular brand you are using.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13798338#post13798338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mako
When the smell is gone (vinegar like) the cure is complete.

not necessarily true...if the bead is thick the inner part of the silicone may take longer and present no smell as the outer layer will have cured after 24-48 hours...and as mentioned depending on what type of silicone was used to it could take up to a week to cure, or longer...

in the case of sandwiched panel application like you have i would suspect that 48 hours would be sufficient as the silicone will be very thin between the panels/ pieces...

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13799523#post13799523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoReefWanabe
not necessarily true...if the bead is thick the inner part of the silicone may take longer and present no smell as the outer layer will have cured after 24-48 hours...and as mentioned depending on what type of silicone was used to it could take up to a week to cure, or longer...

in the case of sandwiched panel application like you have i would suspect that 48 hours would be sufficient as the silicone will be very thin between the panels/ pieces...

Yeah the cross brace is just right ontop of the walls of the tank and the silicone is very, very thin. I will leave the clamps until monday or tuesday just to be safe.

 

[HotTeacher]

I have resealed a 125 in the past and waited about week and a half just to be sure. So my advice is wait as long as you can just to be sure.

 

[Lewy]

A drying rate of 1mm per day is a safe assumption.

 

[floresglass]

When I made my mine, the silicone i used was made specically for aquariums. it recomended 7 to 10 days... the brand name is CRLaurance

 

[Phyxius]

I usually waited 24-48 hrs on my sumps min before I moved them around. Most of the packages recommended 48hrs wait time for it to dry.
The longer you can wait would be best especially with a cross brace just to be safe

 

[JustinReef]

Thanks guys. I will give it two days. The tank was fine without the cross brace for a year (no bowing) but I just want it for piece of mine. The silicone can't be more than a mm thick anyways.

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Depends on the thickness of the brace:

3/16"-1/4" is around 3 days to be water safe. Add 2 days for each additional unit of measure past this. Example: 3/8" would be about 5 days.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13802608#post13802608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1DeR9_3Hy
Depends on the thickness of the brace:

3/16"-1/4" is around 3 days to be water safe. Add 2 days for each additional unit of measure past this. Example: 3/8" would be about 5 days.

Its 1/4" and no where near touching water...about 3" above the water surface.