i read the threads about silicone and i'm still not clear about whether GE silicone II with bio-seal for windows and doors is ok for use in aquariums. i read that it is safe and i've also read that it is not. what's the final word? has anyone had any problems with it?
GE silicone II?
- Thread starter VNCNT
- Start date
bioseal kills fish...
some people do use it and have no problems.. some people also never Qteen their fish and feed feeders from the lfs....
some people do use it and have no problems.. some people also never Qteen their fish and feed feeders from the lfs....
Correction... No recognizable problems. Cases of gill damage and HOTH can go unnoticed to the untrained eye. 
I wouldn't use it.
Reason #1 - GE Silicone I is widely available. It's cheap. It works great.
Reason #2 - Long-term effects. Bio-seal may not leach out in sufficient quantities to cause immediately noticeable problems, but the long term effects would be harder to gauge. Chemical exposure can be very insidious, think about asbestos or tobacco (both taken in through respiration, as the Bio-seal would be). Many symptoms don't show up until years after the exposure. It may not kill or injure fish in the short-term, but I wouldn't risk shortening my fishes' lives.
Reason #1 - GE Silicone I is widely available. It's cheap. It works great.
Reason #2 - Long-term effects. Bio-seal may not leach out in sufficient quantities to cause immediately noticeable problems, but the long term effects would be harder to gauge. Chemical exposure can be very insidious, think about asbestos or tobacco (both taken in through respiration, as the Bio-seal would be). Many symptoms don't show up until years after the exposure. It may not kill or injure fish in the short-term, but I wouldn't risk shortening my fishes' lives.
GE Silicone II is a much-improved product for aquarium use over Silicone I. Several years ago, GE added something called "bioseal" which they claim inhibits mold. I switched to "GE Silicone II XST", the white paintable GE Silicone that contains no bioseal. The Silicone II XST is extremely strong and adheres well to most materials including plywood, Acrylic, glass, cement, common silver heavy-duty tarps sold at Home Depot and PVC pipe.
When it is necessary to conceal something under water, I use small quantities of the GE Tub and Shower product with bioseal to repair Pacu chewed wiring, broken pump and filter parts and around water pipe fittings in my plywood aquariums. As the Silicone quantities with bioseal are small and the water volume is large, I am not aware of any of my aquarium fish having health issues related to the small quantities of bioseal.
I contacted GE and their response was something along these lines. GE Silicone products engineered for home use are not recommended nor warranted for aquarium construction. From their point of view, there is a huge liability issue.
Aquarium manufactures are able to obtain a clear Silicone product suitable for their needs. Someone might want to research this further.
See link below:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113394&page=4
When it is necessary to conceal something under water, I use small quantities of the GE Tub and Shower product with bioseal to repair Pacu chewed wiring, broken pump and filter parts and around water pipe fittings in my plywood aquariums. As the Silicone quantities with bioseal are small and the water volume is large, I am not aware of any of my aquarium fish having health issues related to the small quantities of bioseal.
I contacted GE and their response was something along these lines. GE Silicone products engineered for home use are not recommended nor warranted for aquarium construction. From their point of view, there is a huge liability issue.
Aquarium manufactures are able to obtain a clear Silicone product suitable for their needs. Someone might want to research this further.
See link below:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113394&page=4
GE silicone I window and door is fine as long as it does NOT have the bio seal on it. At first the Silicone II window and door did not have the bio seal on it but now it looks like all the silicone II does. the Biggest difference is the curing agents Silicone I uses Acetic Acid (Vinegar) to cure and Silicone II uses Ammonia. people using silicone I would stay in the room with to high a concentration of the Acetic acid fumes and cause nose throat and lung damage. Now GE switches to Ammonia and I'd like to see someone try and sit in a room with ammonia fumes in it long enough to harm themselves.
Here is what the Bio seal looks like:
Its also not as much a danger to the fish as it is to all your beneficial bacteria in your filters. Try having a tank that NEVER cycles and see how your fish respond.
Here is the link to the ge sealants website:
http://www.caulkyourhome.com/index2.html
Here is what the Bio seal looks like:
Its also not as much a danger to the fish as it is to all your beneficial bacteria in your filters. Try having a tank that NEVER cycles and see how your fish respond.
Here is the link to the ge sealants website:
http://www.caulkyourhome.com/index2.html