JustAFishServant
- #1
Hello all! As some of you may know, I've been running a Betta/Invert/Nano Fish rescue for about 8 years. For awhile, I didn't have much money...or ideas, for that matter. Luckily, though, I was able to get my creativity flowing, and am now planning on several projects, such as making dividers, glass lids with custom knobs, and even my own DIY aquariums! I have all that I need; the glass has been cut, painter's tape is abundant, and the gun has been caulked (pun very much intended). I do still have to purchase a razor scraper, but that's not a problem. The biggest issue I have now is figuring out whether GE Silicone 1* is aquarium safe.
The bottle mentions that it's 100% silicone, which means without additives, yet shows a label that says "Mold-Free". This implies that the silicone has chemicals added...but that would be impossible, since it's 100% silicone and has been proven compliant for incidental food contact by the FDA, which essentially means you won't die if you lick it, but it's really not recommended. It mentions that it's non-paintable, so again, no chemicals added, and that it's 100% waterproof, which means that it is capable of keeping water in (or out). It's freeze and sun-proof, has "excellent" flexibility, and strong adhesion. It takes 24 hours to fully cure and can be exposed to water after only half that time. It's capable of holding strong in temps as low as -60°F, or as high as 400°F (-51 to 204°C). When first applied, it releases ammonia, which obviously isn't good for an aquarium unless you're trying to cycle it. However, once fully cured, fumes will not continue. As mentioned before, it's considered "7-year mold free", but if you read the small print at the bottom right, it mentions that cleaning is required, otherwise mold and mildew can still grow. Everything mentioned here suggests that it's safe for aquarium use, if you ignore the warning on the back. It's strong, reliable, cheap ($4.29 for a 10.1oz bottle at Lowe's), and all around a great alternative to normal yet much more expensive "aquarium silicones", if you ask me. Besides, if Tanner at SerpaDesign uses it for his paludariums, and my grandad has been using it since the 70's, so can we! But I'd still like to hear your opinions
The bottle mentions that it's 100% silicone, which means without additives, yet shows a label that says "Mold-Free". This implies that the silicone has chemicals added...but that would be impossible, since it's 100% silicone and has been proven compliant for incidental food contact by the FDA, which essentially means you won't die if you lick it, but it's really not recommended. It mentions that it's non-paintable, so again, no chemicals added, and that it's 100% waterproof, which means that it is capable of keeping water in (or out). It's freeze and sun-proof, has "excellent" flexibility, and strong adhesion. It takes 24 hours to fully cure and can be exposed to water after only half that time. It's capable of holding strong in temps as low as -60°F, or as high as 400°F (-51 to 204°C). When first applied, it releases ammonia, which obviously isn't good for an aquarium unless you're trying to cycle it. However, once fully cured, fumes will not continue. As mentioned before, it's considered "7-year mold free", but if you read the small print at the bottom right, it mentions that cleaning is required, otherwise mold and mildew can still grow. Everything mentioned here suggests that it's safe for aquarium use, if you ignore the warning on the back. It's strong, reliable, cheap ($4.29 for a 10.1oz bottle at Lowe's), and all around a great alternative to normal yet much more expensive "aquarium silicones", if you ask me. Besides, if Tanner at SerpaDesign uses it for his paludariums, and my grandad has been using it since the 70's, so can we! But I'd still like to hear your opinions
