cherubfish pair
New member
What black silicone sealant in a tube for a caulk gun is reef safe?
What black silicone sealant in a tube for a caulk gun is reef safe?
- Thread starter cherubfish pair
- Start date
cherubfish pair
New member
Okay I found some at BRS.
reefermad619
New member
This is what I'd use
http://www.amazon.com/Momentive-RTV103-Silicone-Sealant-Caulker/dp/B004V40OF2
http://www.amazon.com/Momentive-RTV103-Silicone-Sealant-Caulker/dp/B004V40OF2
asudavew
Active member
I ordered the the RTV 103 after you posted the link.
On the back of the tube it states: "NOT FOR USE ON STOVEPIPES, FIREPLACES, OR UNDER WATER."
:hmm3:
reefermad619
New member
They have to put that. Imagine some dude builds an aquarium and it blows once full. Its much easier to blame the product than the builder. I've used this and 108 on sumps all the time and all is alive an well. This is one of the stronger silicones available. It is expensive compared to others, but is well worth it. At least I think so anyway.
dirtyfrank
In Memoriam
Why black?
James77
Team RC
It can look better than "clear" silicone.....ie the back of my tank is painted black, so the black silicone blends right in on the overflow box. Also on tanks, it can have a sleeker look.
asudavew
Active member
Ahh. ! Thanks for clearing it up. I plan to use it for my BA. Overflow. I thought I had read it was the strongest. :thumbsup:
uncleof6
Active member
Actually, Mr. 619 has this a bit wrong: it is not a question of "have to" put anything there because of aquarium liability. That is a mis-conception based on myth-information. The factual basis for this advisory is that silicone breaks down when submersed in water. Therefore, it is not for use underwater. Were silicone stable when submersed in water, there would not be so great a need for an inner seal for our tanks. The seam between glass panels holds the tank together. The inner seal protects and keeps water off the structural seam between the glass panels.
That is why though it says: "Not for use underwater," we can build a tank (after some experience) that can last for years without coming apart or leaking.
Mr 619 is right about the rest, but SCS1200 is a bit stronger than RTV100 series, but has a tendancy to bubble up easier than the RTV100. Most common pro builder use is RTV100 series. Some builders out there use whatever they can get there hands on at the time EEEKKKSSS!
There has been 1 sucessful lawsuit concerning aquariums and silicone, and that was against GE and the product now called Silicone I. It was labeled "Aquarium Silicone" back in the day. The requirement after the suit was that the label be changed. In a sense, 619 is right. Had I been the judge, I would have ruled against the builder, rather than GE. It was the builders fault, not GE's fault. Don't build a tank, unless you know what you are doing; if you know what you are doing you will use an industrial grade adhesive silicone, not a consumer grade sealant.
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