Is this silicone aquarium safe?

Jspigs

Jspigs

There is always more to learn
Aug 5, 2009
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I need to reseal a Metaframe aquarium and I would like to use black silicone.

I know GE Silicone I window and door is safe but I have been unable to find it in black.

I remember reading that some kinds of DAP Silicone are aquarium safe so I got some black DAP silicone and I wanted to make sure it is the right kind.

The uses it lists are gutters, molding, windows, doors, siding, and vents.

I have not been able to find anything on the tube of silicone that says it is mildew resistant or anything like that.

It does not say anything about aquariums on it.

The tube says "Not recommended for continuous underwater use." But it also says it makes a watertight seal and it says it is 100% silicone rubber sealant
(my used up tube of aquarium sealant also says it is 100% silicone rubber, same with GE Silicone I) so I think it would work for continuous underwater use.

So Is it aquarium safe?
 
Jspigs said:
I need to reseal a Metaframe aquarium and I would like to use black silicone.

I know GE Silicone I window and door is safe but I have been unable to find it in black.

I remember reading that some kinds of DAP Silicone are aquarium safe so I got some black DAP silicone and I wanted to make sure it is the right kind.

The uses it lists are gutters, molding, windows, doors, siding, and vents.

I have not been able to find anything on the tube of silicone that says it is mildew resistant or anything like that.

It does not say anything about aquariums on it.

The tube says "Not recommended for continuous underwater use." But it also says it makes a watertight seal and it says it is 100% silicone rubber sealant
(my used up tube of aquarium sealant also says it is 100% silicone rubber, same with GE Silicone I) so I think it would work for continuous underwater use.

So Is it aquarium safe?
Click to expand...

I wouldnt risk it but thats just me. Good luck with it....
 
I think that the underwater use thing is mainly a legal thing in case someone uses it wrong or something like that. It appears to be the same stuff as the aquarium silicone only it's black and aquarium silicone comes in black too (but is more expensive which is why I want to use this) so I see no reason why it would not work under water.
 
It should be fine.

I just noticed that you are resealing a metal frame tank though.
Not sure if silicone will provide a good long term bond with the stainless steel.
I am also resealing a SS frame tank, and the old silicone just falls off the metal. It still has a strong bond on the glass.

If you do use the black silicone with success, please let us know.
 
I have finished the silicone application, I used the DAP black silicone.

I am going to let it dry/cure for a couple days and then leak test it with newspaper under the Metaframe so any leaks will show up on the newspaper.

Thank you all for your help:).

P.S. This was the first time I ever resealed an aquarium:D.
 
I filled it up yesterday to leak test it and there have been no leaks so far:D!

Zigman, I resealed it the same way as you did in this link: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206983

The only thing I did differently was I pressed the silicone down with my finger to try and make a neater and better seal (it ended up not being the neatest seal ever but it is watertight).

I also forgot to tape around the seam but I was able to use a razor blade to make it look neater (this was done before the leak test).
 
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