siliconed my overflow, how long should i wait?

[useskaforevil]

my overflow broek and had to be siliconed back into place, the only problem is backup heater i had for my tank broke tonight so my tank is without a heater while the silicone dries (inches above the tank. i'm running carbon in the tank to hopefully help with whatever chemicals but there really was no alternative. the silicone says it has a 24 hour cure time but the fix realy won't bear any weight. how long do you think i have to wait before i let the tank water come in contact with the silicone?

 

[Blown 346]

I would wait atleast 12 hours, even though it might feel dry to the touch on the outside it is still very flexible and isnt strong enough until it starts to cure internally.

 

[rickh]

You had better get a working heater. The silicone will "dry" in 24 hours, but I wouldn't even get it wet for 48. It takes 48 hours for it not to be mushy. R

 

[rickh]

Oh yea--that smell from the curing silicone is acetic acid. Keep it dry for 48 hours. R

 

[Savas]

One more thought. When it stops smelling like vinegar, which should happen in 24 hours, it is skim-cured and will continue to dry underwater for the next 24-72 hours if wet (assuming tank temps in the upper 70's).

 

[01saleen]

24 hours. Had a baffle break in a 55 gallon sump full of water, drained it partially enough to get a good bead of silicone on both sides resealed it and gave it 24 hrs, and it still holds today.