GE Silicone I or II

GE Silicone I or II window/door/attic/basement or kitchen/bath

I resealed a tank with GE Silicone II for window/door/attic/basement. I checked the labels of Silicone I and II and didn't find anything different. I have read that I should have used Silicone I. Both said they are 100% silicone.

Can anyone say for sure that Silicone II won't work?

The only mold protection I saw was on Silicone II for plumbing/bath. That said it had a 5 year mold protection guarantee. That is not the same silicone that I used.

 

I and II are fine. I have use them in the past. The only issue with them is that if you leave the unused part in the garage were temp gets too cold or way too hot the chemical reaction of the silicone gets compromised and the next time you go to use it it won't dry. It has happened to me 2 times already. I had to hang my silicone gun with the unused part in the laundry closet inside the house. Hope this help.

 

I resealed a tank with GE Silicone II for window/door/attic/basement. I checked the labels of Silicone I and II and didn't find anything different. I have read that I should have used Silicone I. Both said they are 100% silicone.

Can anyone say for sure that Silicone II won't work?

The only mold protection I saw was on Silicone II for plumbing/bath. That siad it had a 5 year mold protection guarantee. That is not the same silicone that I used.

HI there,
I read before that you could use any 100% silicone aslong as it does not have any kind of mildew or mold resitent chemichals in it. Those are the ones that ight leak into the tank and kill the livestock. I personally have not used any of them, I use the silicone that is strictly for aquariums, like DAP. Here is a link to the one I use;\

 

I also heard that Silicone II will not work..

Just one source:

 

I also heard that Silicone II will not work..

Just one source: Is GE Silicone II for kitchen and bath aquarium safe?

Make sure you do research before you comment on something you don't know.

Here are the facts. 100% SILICONE..okey:

 

Make sure you do research before you comment on something you don't know.

Here are the facts. 100% SILICONE..okey:

I don't see how that shows that its aquarium safe. Just because its 100% silicone, does not make it safe for aquariums. You realize using silicone on bricks and mortar is different from using it inside of an aquarium with living fish, right?

I stated one source. That is not THE ONLY source. And I said I heard, I did not state a fact. No one really knows.

 

I bought a tube of the Loctite brand of silicone at Lowes. They sell it in the section where the glues are kept and it was like 3 bucks. That's less than half of what they charge at a pet store for the same sized tube. It specifically says "safe for aquariums" on the back.

This may not help you now but it's good to know in the future.

 

I called the number for GE on the tube and the guy said GE didn't make a waterproof silicone or a silicone for aquariums.

I didn't find a GE silicone made for aquariums, but I believe they all said waterproof.

I let the silicone dry for a week. I put water in the tank for a another week. Then I added a aguaclear 50 filter. After 4 days with the filter I will try one small fish and see if it survives. I may even pickup a feeder fish for a few pennies. If it survives it will end up in my community tank instead of food somewhere.

 

You could always remove the silicone and reapply some aquarium safe stuff. Just because it doesn't kill a test fish doesn't mean it won't cause other problems down the road...Who knows, there may be absolutely nothing to worry about but unless somebody chimes in and says it ok for sure I wouldn't keep it.

 

Hi, you probably want to use the Silicone I labeled "door and window" if you can find it. don't use the bath/kitchen stuff that is mildew resistant. Silicone I is 100% silicone (the same silicone used to seal aquariums) and works just as well if applied properly. I have used it on my tank without any leaks or problems, so yes, it is ok.

I'm pretty sure silicone II is mildew resistant so I would go with the silicone I to be on the safe side. Hope it works out.

 

They're going to say it's not for aquariums because they probably didn't test it with aquariums, and I bet a lawsuit inspired that little tag line on the bottle. They're gonna say its for the things they've tested it for.

I have heard soooooooo many different people say they use GE silicone, and they recommend it.

 

They're going to say it's not for aquariums because they probably didn't test it with aquariums, and I bet a lawsuit inspired that little tag line on the bottle. They're gonna say its for the things they've tested it for.

I have heard soooooooo many different people say they use GE silicone, and they recommend it.

+1 Very good point.

 

They're going to say it's not for aquariums because they probably didn't test it with aquariums, and I bet a lawsuit inspired that little tag line on the bottle. They're gonna say its for the things they've tested it for.

I have heard soooooooo many different people say they use GE silicone, and they recommend it.

A lawsuit for someone using a product not as directed on something as inexpensive as an aquarium. I really doubt it. A lawyer or the courts would point you directly to the door.

And keep in mind that we are talking about two different kinds of GE silicone here. One has a mold inhibitor and I would avoid that one at all cost.

 

You need to use GE silicone I. The number II has the antI mould in it.

I had a friend use the GE silicone II when he redid his sump in his Saltwater tank and he lost everything from it.

If you check out Cichlid-forums.com and other fish forums they will always say to use GE silicone I and NEVER GE silicone II.

Anna

 

A lawsuit for someone using a product not as directed on something as inexpensive as an aquarium. I really doubt it. A lawyer or the courts would point you directly to the door.

Sure, for a little 20 gallon tank. But if someone were to have (incorrectly) built their own 500 gallon tank, that would make for A LOT of water damage....

And liability is liability, no matter the cost.

 

I'm not going to start a thread derailing debate here but we are talking about the silicone killing fish and not about leaking. And if someone is going to build a 500 gallon tank I'm sure they are gonna do enough research to buy the right product for the task at hand.

 

I'm not going to start a thread derailing debate here but we are talking about the silicone killing fish and not about leaking. And if someone is going to build a 500 gallon tank I'm sure they are gonna do enough research to buy the right product for the task at hand.

It's been well established, several times over that GE I is good and GE II is bad.

I think you are underestimating the stupidity of others.

 

People don't seem to understand. I want to know if anyone can tell me from personal experience that GE Silicone II for window/door/attic/basement will work on an aquarium for as a sealant and be ok for fish. There has been some positive responses but they haven't specified window/door/attic/basement or kitchen/bath.

GE Silicone I and II for window/door/attic/basement do not have anything in them for mold/mildew.

GE Silicone I and II for kitchen/bath do have something in them for mold/mildew and a 5 year mold guarantee.

I used GE Silicone II for window/door/attic/basement. So it seems that my aquarium will be fine.

Make sure anyone you talk to about they used silicone I or II tells you if it was window/door/attic/basement or kitchen/bath.

It seems it is window/door/attic/basement or kitchen/bath that makes the difference and not silicone I or II.

 

I think you are underestimating the stupidity of others.

And of the legal system in regards to torts.

 

I don't see how that shows that its aquarium safe. Just because its 100% silicone, does not make it safe for aquariums. You realize using silicone on bricks and mortar is different from using it inside of an aquarium with living fish, right?

I stated one source. That is not THE ONLY source. And I said I heard, I did not state a fact. No one really knows.

If is 100% Silicone is aquarium safe. That is why you have to make sure is 100% silicone. Otherwise it will have it will have the chemicals that make it mold proof. I have repaired tens of tanks using 100% silicone most of them GE and never had issues with dead fish.

 

I don't mean to be rude for this statement nor does this have any reflection of anyone in this topic but.

If I was not comfortable or did not know 100% if the silicone is safe for the tank, I would just spend the 5 dollars for aquarium grade silicone. This saves the hassle of worrying about problems. Just my 2 cents...

 

If is 100% Silicone is aquarium safe. That is why you have to make sure is 100% silicone. Otherwise it will have it will have the chemicals that make it mold proof. I have repaired tens of tanks using 100% silicone most of them GE and never had issues with dead fish.

I think Mike_Syr is correct. I have GE Silicone II Kitchen & Bath. On the label it says 100% silicone, but it also says there are chemicals for the mildew & mold. So 100% really does not mean a thing, and it cannot be used in aquariums, but there are different kinds manufactured for a reason.

I don't mean to be rude for this statement nor does this have any reflection of anyone in this topic but.

If I was not comfortable or did not know 100% if the silicone is safe for the tank, I would just spend the 5 dollars for aquarium grade silicone. This saves the hassle of worrying about problems. Just my 2 cents...

This is a very good point, but I think it's just the fact that people have silicone readily available and wonder, or that they don't have a store that sells it near by. Don't know.

 

People don't seem to understand. I want to know if anyone can tell me from personal experience that GE Silicone II for window/door/attic/basement will work on an aquarium for as a sealant and be ok for fish.

I had to rummage around and find my bottle, but yep that's the exact one I used. Make sure you let it dry for a good long while. (Mine sat for four, maybe six, days.) No problems in my betta tank or my brackish tank.

Note: I used mine for making decorations and covering rough edges of ornaments. Over a year with no apparent side affects.

 

I was able to reseal a 29G tank with GE Silicone II for window/door/attic/basement. I let cure for one week. Then filled it with water and ran an AguaClear 50 for a week. Then I put fish 4 Mollies in it for another week. All fish showed no signs of stress.

I believe GE Silicone II for window/door/attic/basement is safe for aquariums.

Note: I ran the filter with the sponge and carbon for the week. Then I took the biomax material I had in a filter on an active tank and put it in the filter when I put the fish in the tank.

 

A lot of people have been asking about silicone for the aquariums. Going by the many recommendations across the internet I used GE 100% Silicone 1. After someone pointed out to me the under the instructions it says "Not for underwater/aquarium use", for my own peace of mind, I contacted Momentive (manufacturer who makes it for GE). Their response was: "We would recommend removing the silicone. It is not designed for aquarium/below water line use because it may fail when submerged for continual use and harm your fish". What they mean by fail, I don't know, breakdown, crumble, lose adhesion? Since it's not in a critical area (used to glue a divider in a tank), I'm going to just keep an eye on it, but I will not be using it again in any of my aquariums. Take it or leave it, this is my opinion.

 

A lot of people have been asking about silicone for the aquariums. Going by the many recommendations across the internet I used GE 100% Silicone 1. After someone pointed out to me the under the instructions it says "Not for underwater/aquarium use", for my own peace of mind, I contacted Momentive (manufacturer who makes it for GE). Their response was: "We would recommend removing the silicone. It is not designed for aquarium/below water line use because it may fail when submerged for continual use and harm your fish". What they mean by fail, I don't know, breakdown, crumble, lose adhesion? Since it's not in a critical area (used to glue a divider in a tank), I'm going to just keep an eye on it, but I will not be using it again in any of my aquariums. Take it or leave it, this is my opinion.

They may also mean by "it may fail...and harm your fish" that it may degrade chemically and cause changes in the water chemistry itself. You might want to call them back and get a clarification about exactly what they mean by "fail" when used in an aquarium "below the waterline".

 

I did send a follow up request concerning how it might fail and in what way would it harm the fish.

 

I see that answer more liability related. It probably hasn't been tested that way and they wouldn't stand behind it if something would happen. As sue happy as the world is today.

 

I'm hoping at least an answer as to why it's label not safe, what their concerns are.

 

Their concern is they didnt purchase liability for aquarium use. This means if they say it is ok, and someone puts wet silicone in their tank and kills their fish, there is a (albiet tiny) litigation issue.
As long as off gassing is complete, and it has no mold inhibitors, all 100% silicone is safe

 

My wonder is if not a professional caulker and understanding all that is relevant , why not buy Aqueon aquarium silicone besides the $12 per tube price ? Peace of mind is surely worth more then $10 ?

 

My wonder is if not a professional caulker and understanding all that is relevant , why not buy Aqueon aquarium silicone besides the $12 per tube price ? Peace of mind is surely worth more then $10 ?

My thought at the time was strictly of convenience, my local ifs didn't have it in stock, but the Home Depot had the GE. I've read so many posts saying that it was used without any problems. I have found out that Home Depot also carries Loctite brand aquarium safe silicone in stock.

 

I sure wish I could have found some yesterday, I had to use 4 of those 2.7 oz. tubes what a pain in the a*s, short arms, tall 55 gl. but got it done, now to let it cure for 10 days.

 

coralbandit, what kind of tank you building?

 

Thinking about it, this whole thread makes me laugh. It would be like emailing all the cyanoacrylate manufacturers and asking them about it. Surely they would deny liability for using super glue in a fish tank also. Not to mention any product not created expressly for our use. I bet magic eraser would tell you the exact same thing. We all use these products, but by all means, wait for someone to repackage it only for the aquarium, get the expensive liability insurance, and be sure they will pass that cost, and the cost of thinking it up, onto you, the consumer. They won't get a dime from me for some fear mongering.

 

I see that answer more liability related. It probably hasn't been tested that way and they wouldn't stand behind it if something would happen. As sue happy as the world is today.

Their concern is they didnt purchase liability for aquarium use. This means if they say it is ok, and someone puts wet silicone in their tank and kills their fish, there is a (albiet tiny) litigation issue.
As long as off gassing is complete, and it has no mold inhibitors, all 100% silicone is safe

This ^ absolutely!

My wonder is if not a professional caulker and understanding all that is relevant , why not buy Aqueon aquarium silicone besides the $12 per tube price ? Peace of mind is surely worth more then $10 ?

Well, if you are building a large aquarium or sump, or multiples, that starts to add up. All you need is pure silicone, without additives. As long as that's what is in the tube, why pay more?

Thinking about it, this whole thread makes me laugh. It would be like emailing all the cyanoacrylate manufacturers and asking them about it. Surely they would deny liability for using super glue in a fish tank also. Not to mention any product not created expressly for our use. I bet magic eraser would tell you the exact same thing. We all use these products, but by all means, wait for someone to repackage it only for the aquarium, get the expensive liability insurance, and be sure they will pass that cost, and the cost of thinking it up, onto you, the consumer. They won't get a dime from me for some fear mongering.

Exactly! If you are using silicone, it pretty much guarantees that you doing some sort of DIY project. If so, then TFY (Think For Yourself) is at least half the fun of this kind of job!

 

are you talking about the GE Silicone 2+ blue (not for bathroom or kitchen) or red tube (for bathroom and kitchen)?

I had a tube of the red one left over from recaulking the bottom of my shower, and used some to glue river rocks to some artificial plants to weigh them down.

 

Most silicones sold for bathroom/kitchen use contain an additive...arsenic? cyanide? I forget...which is intended to prevent the growth of mildew. These are NOT what you want for fish tanks. You need 100% pure silicone, no additives at all.

The last time I bought this stuff it was in a white tube, with I believe blue lettering. They change the packaging all the time. They even changed the name a number of years ago, it was not always called Silicone I. These details don't matter; you need to read the tube and confirm that it is 100% pure silicone and nothing else, whatever they may be calling it this week.

 

Theyve also gotten tricky and label it 100% silicone and also say there is a mold inhibitor. Dont assume 100% is truly 100%

 

LOL, yes, sad, isn't it? 100% isn't sufficient info anymore, you need 100% with no additives!