GE silicone I

[mp2952]

before i make a huge mistake, is GE silicone I safe to use in my tank to plug up an ornament? it's clear and says for windows and doors. it doesn't mention anything about mildew resistance or arsenic, but i want to make sure it's ok before i do anything with it.

 

[JWERNER]

They say that you should use GE silicone 1 and not 2. I have no clue why but you should try to find black unless its going under water completely IMO, I find no problem with white if its completely submerged myself cause then it may cover with some green algae and look even more natural. If it is black that you want it is hard to find but I looked into it and they do make it.

Anyone know the difference?

 

[Ed]

Technically none of those silicones are rated for use in semiaquatic/aquatic settings or in aquariums.
The main reason people use I instead of II is the presence of fungicides to prevent mildew growth in II.


Ed

 

[mp2952]

i'm glad I is the safer one. i would rather not use it, but i'm desperate. i've been to 7 pet stores in the area and none of them carried silicone for aquariums. and it's too late to order any from the internet because i leave for school in 2 days. when i saw my newt go inside the ornament today i knew i had to plug up the ornament or not use it at all. but if the GE silicone I is ok, i would like to use it.

 

[Ed]

People do use it in those applications.


Ed

 

[JWERNER]

Ed,

I have a seriouse question for you I used GE silicone II but I have not put any animals or any types of life in it at all just water. I used it on the bottom of my terrarium so i can apply sand on top of it and I used it along the sides where I put great stuff so you couldnt see the great stuff. This is bad aint it? I have to start over dont I?

You see I ha d a huge dillema, I have gone to the hard ware store to get some of the silicone and I thought I got the right kind but I didnt. When I returned it the guy told me I could use II in black and said that it only bonds to more matterial than the GE I does. Now my tank has been cycleing for 2 days and I never seen water this cloudy from what looks like amonia. Going by experience I figured that is what it is so I had not tested it yet but I am going to go out to the shop and see what they say about the water right away!

Thanks for the help.

 

[Ed]

Hi John,

One of the ingredients in type II slowly hydrolyzes and releases ammonia into the system.. this could in part explain the problem you are having with ammonia.

There are people who have used the type II with terraria and aquaria but I have strong reservations due to the additives so you may be able to let it cycle it through and still use it.

Ed

 

[JWERNER]

Thanks ED. Ill let it cycle and if it don't straighten out I Will just turn it into a dry terrarium. Pet co has the good annual dollar a gallon pals sale so Ill just invest in my failure and try to go even bigger yet.

PS its Jay

Thanks!

 

[Ed]

Sorry Jay,

I'm sitting here with a marginal migraine..not that I should use it as an excuse..

I saw that they are going to have the sale and I want to get some 40 breeders.

Ed

 

[JWERNER]

Its OK, I was in a bad accident that messed with my sinuses 2 years ago and I get them from my teeth trough my nose and sinuses into my entire brain. I would consider it a excuse, I know how it feels.

Yes 2 breeders ( I have Beardies ) and a 55 is what I'm going to pick up tonight.

As far as the ammonia, I had tested it with liquid and strips, its bad. I have tricks to this seeing on how it is ammonia leaching in, I am just going to do heavy water changes daily and then consider letting it cycle. I will add some aeration as well and some already cured wood from another aquarium.

Do you think those sound as good ideas or should I hold off on some?

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread I feel pretty bad.

 

[tomthlee]

I used type II for my tank. Then again, I did let it cure for several days before adding water. And even when I added water, I didn't add my newt until a couple of weeks later.

Regardless of the type of silicone used, I recommend allowing a week-long curing period before adding the plugged-up ornament to the tank.

 

[Ed]

The water changes will help but the cycling will help more as the additive will continue to leach ammonia for a long period.

Ed

 

[JWERNER]

Ok Ill give that a try, I figured that since it would be leaching in I should just remove it to an extant in fear of it beeing to much amonia hopeing that it would then remove what would be leaching out faster instead of it building up more and more as it leaches..

I mean I know it wont extract what ever is in the silicone but I just wanted to clear it out a bit.

I usualy never depend on additives but what do you think on ones such as special blend for this instance?