Aquarium silicone sealant comparisons
- Thread starter Buckdog
- Start date
some silicone uses an acetic acid cure.... will mess with the ph as well
i try to use silicones with a neutral cure eg dow 832
i try to use silicones with a neutral cure eg dow 832
ok, thanks,
i am useing a ACIII to control kalkwasser dosing, I don't know if ph will be a real issue, I am trying to keep a 180 gallon Jebo tank from leaking so my biggest consern is strength and hardwood floors
i am useing a ACIII to control kalkwasser dosing, I don't know if ph will be a real issue, I am trying to keep a 180 gallon Jebo tank from leaking so my biggest consern is strength and hardwood floors
![]v[onster Loaches](/forums/data/avatars/s/24/24510.jpg?1431689616){kind=avatar}
There shouldnt be any acetic acid left after its fully cured right? I've never heard of pH issues when folks use the more common silicon (that is acetic acid cure).johnptc;1573735; said:
I found DAP aquarium silicone at my local lowes for 3.00 a tube. Smaller tubes that the caulking tubes but it worked for my diy cave projects. I let it cure for 24 hours then soaked it in treated water for another day before introducing to my tank 
hugs
hugs
Excellent - we made it a sticky! Thanx Mods.
We recently put in glass on my plywood tank using the Dow 732 sealant and 1200 primer. The primer is no joke - it really gets the silicone to set up rather quickly and bond up well. I chose the 732 because of it's properties, it's NSF and UL ratings. The fact it's Mil - Spec helps too.
The primer is rather hard to get unless you know someone or can get a Dow rep to steer you to the right place. I'm building my tank with a buddy of mine who runs his own polymer company so we ordered some from McMaster Carr.
I cleaned the glass with MEK or acetone and a clean cotton rag. I usually know the glass is clean when you dont feel any drag on the cloth as you continually wipe.
The primer has a nasty chemical smell to it so wear a respirator and gloves. You dont need much - pour a little in a disposable cup and use a cloth or brush to wipe it on. We put it on both the glass and in the glass frame in the tank. Let it dry per instructions. Remember to re-cap the original container tightly because this stuff will suck moisture right out of the air.
On the pic you can see where the primer dries to a haze. The primer will also dry to a chaulky powder if left out.
I cracked a tube of 732 and started shooting it in. The acetic vapor about wiped me out so I put the respirator back on. I spackled it in the best I could and laid in the glass. I added my body weight to get the squeeze out I wanted, but not too much. On the last pic you can see we have a real fat bondline.
(Note: From now on I will always do a dry run when fitting glass. Basically I choreographed my motions before I laid in the glass because the last thing you want to do is set it in the silicone, find out something's wrong and then have to pull a heavy chunk of glass back out. It aint easy.)
The tank is nowhere near complete but I am impressed on how the silicone set up. It's serious stuff.
I'll post the build after we complete the static test. Hopefully all goes well.
We recently put in glass on my plywood tank using the Dow 732 sealant and 1200 primer. The primer is no joke - it really gets the silicone to set up rather quickly and bond up well. I chose the 732 because of it's properties, it's NSF and UL ratings. The fact it's Mil - Spec helps too.
The primer is rather hard to get unless you know someone or can get a Dow rep to steer you to the right place. I'm building my tank with a buddy of mine who runs his own polymer company so we ordered some from McMaster Carr.
I cleaned the glass with MEK or acetone and a clean cotton rag. I usually know the glass is clean when you dont feel any drag on the cloth as you continually wipe.
The primer has a nasty chemical smell to it so wear a respirator and gloves. You dont need much - pour a little in a disposable cup and use a cloth or brush to wipe it on. We put it on both the glass and in the glass frame in the tank. Let it dry per instructions. Remember to re-cap the original container tightly because this stuff will suck moisture right out of the air.
On the pic you can see where the primer dries to a haze. The primer will also dry to a chaulky powder if left out.
I cracked a tube of 732 and started shooting it in. The acetic vapor about wiped me out so I put the respirator back on. I spackled it in the best I could and laid in the glass. I added my body weight to get the squeeze out I wanted, but not too much. On the last pic you can see we have a real fat bondline.
(Note: From now on I will always do a dry run when fitting glass. Basically I choreographed my motions before I laid in the glass because the last thing you want to do is set it in the silicone, find out something's wrong and then have to pull a heavy chunk of glass back out. It aint easy.)
The tank is nowhere near complete but I am impressed on how the silicone set up. It's serious stuff.
I'll post the build after we complete the static test. Hopefully all goes well.
Most brands from the home improvement stores I've been to say not to use for aquariums and apparently most people here have had no problems from them to thier fish or so I havent heard yet.
Yeah they put it on the tubes so that they can sell you a similar product for more $$$
Also so if you use it on your tank and it busts wide open then you can't sue them.
Also so if you use it on your tank and it busts wide open then you can't sue them.
