Hyperion1337
Active member
Hi, I building a tank pretty soon and want to know what the best and most reliable as well as reef/fish/aquarium safe silicone is currently on the market.
what brand of silicone to use?
- Thread starter Hyperion1337
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Hyperion1337
Active member
Anything I can get at HD?
uncleof6
Active member
For building tanks? No. For non critical sealing etc, you can use just about any consumer grade sealant, they don't need to hold anything together. As far as what is "safe" or not "safe," this is a cloudy area, with both positive and negative reports on various "types" by the label. Insufficient cure time, being the big "tank crasher," is more reasonable. The label cure times *generally* apply to 1/8" beads, not to the purpose, and amounts, that we use.
For structural purposes, you need the meanest strongest stuff you can get your hands on, and these materials are not on the shelf at your local Home Depot, or any other Big Box, or similar type store.
Dow makes a few materials, that would be suitable for making small tanks <30 gal or so, with good technique, but the two already mentioned, are perhaps the easiest to come by, and are sufficient to get the job done--they are adhesives, rather than sealants. Still though, it is a matter of technique, and familiarity with the materials.
uncleof6
Active member
That one too. Thought it had already been mentioned in this thread. Must have been a different thread.
Hyperion1337
Active member
uncleof6 Im assuming GE SCS1200 CG silicon works fairly well and is aquarium safe?
shelby28
Member
Im sure you have read this already but just incase you havnt you want to stay away from any thing that says anti any thing. from my experince if it says anti fungl, anti mold or anti any thing like that its not reef safe. i see some onle also recomended it. you have to be sure to read all the info, i bought some a few years ago that i was pretty sure didnt have any anti fungle in it i went to use it and was reading the back and in little print it said great for mildew prevention id recomend the rtv108
Any brand is OK, I use the one from HomeDepot.
Just read the label - it MUST say "100% Silicone".
Just read the label - it MUST say "100% Silicone".
jimmyj7090
aka John K
Virtually every silicone on the market says "100% silicone", including the bioseal/mold inhibitor types. That label means nothing.
SpinyReef
New member
I've built 4 tanks with that and it holds very well, even for bigger tanks. I've even tested the thing between 2 small pieces of glass and it is STRONG!
+1!!! 100% silicone does not equate to reef safe.
GhostRider58
New member
I just bought the Marineland brand from F&S. It was $8.99 for a 10 oz. tube (fits in a standard chalk gun). Its made for aquariums, so there is no worries. No second guessing.
uncleof6
Active member
Yes it is. The literature states that "successful aquarium applications have been accomplished."
This is true, however the strength of the aquarium does not depend on the tensile strength of the silicone, rather silicone's weaker property: Adhesive strength--how well it sticks to the glass. This is the difference between the consumer grade "sealants" and "structural adhesives." Both SCS1200 and the Momentive product perform well in this application.
Without searching the product data sheet from the actual "manufacturer" of this product, it would be my best guess, that it is little more than a consumer grade sealant, similar if not identical to the DAP product (Dow) available at home depot, and Aqueon/AGA branded (Dow) silicones. Neither is a structural adhesive.
Hyperion1337
Active member
dang, just searched up momentive on amazon, the rtv103 (black?) and its expensive. im still deciding on the brand and its tough.. 
brandon7491
Member
i like the above one
brandon7491
Member
get the marine land one
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