GE Silicon I windows and doors--safe to use in a saltwater system?

basssnake · 09/04/2008, 08:17 AM

The GE silicone I windows and doors that i have is the type that says nothing about having any mold inhibitors or bio-seal. It releases acetic acid(smells like vinegar to me). I want to know if this is safe to use where it would be exposed to the saltwater(of course after dry). GE said it wasn't safe and something about PH affecting something. I didn't understand what she was saying. I have seen on here that it is ok. Lets open the debate again, so I know for sure i am doing the right thing.

BigRedSpecial · 09/04/2008, 08:21 AM

I use it all the time, as do MANY others on this site. I think the biggest reason GE doesn't recommend it is potential liability reasons; we do live in a sue-happy lawyer culture after all.

As an aside, the reason Acetic acid smells like vinegar, is because that is what vinegar is... a solution of acetic acid in water.

widmer · 09/04/2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigRedSpecial
I use it all the time, as do MANY others on this site. I think the biggest reason GE doesn't recommend it is potential liability reasons; we do live in a sue-happy lawyer culture after all.

As an aside, the reason Acetic acid smells like vinegar, is because that is what vinegar is... a solution of acetic acid in water.

x2. My tube of ge silicone I says do not use on aquariums, I've used it for a lot of siliconing in my aquarium and everybody's happy.

Logzor · 09/04/2008, 09:28 AM

Lol I hope its safe as I just connected about 100 lbs of rock together with it (and support rods)!

basssnake · 09/04/2008, 04:38 PM

It is strong enough to hold rocks together? How did you get it to hold?

I guess if all you guys say it is ok, then it must be. I figured it was, but wanted to be rest assured.

widmer · 09/04/2008, 04:44 PM

Yikes, I hope your live rock was perfectly dry when you used it, otherwise it's going to dissolve and get all over.

basssnake · 09/04/2008, 04:54 PM

That is a scary thought.....lol......i just wouldn't think silicone would hold rock together that well.....am I wrong??

Logzor · 09/04/2008, 06:10 PM

I used dry rock from bulkreefsupply and yes it holds rock together with the support of rods, here is my rock build thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1460687

REEF-n-Chicago · 09/04/2008, 07:05 PM

That stuff is fine. I read (on here) that GE does not want to be responsible for something going wrong in a tank so they just go with the "it isnt safe stance"

I use it as well

uhuru · 09/04/2008, 09:02 PM

Has anyone used the DAP brand silicone? It is 100% silicone and also for doors and windows. On the back it says not recommended for underwater use. They have it at Savko but the workers didn't know if was aquarium safe or not.

Peter Eichler · 09/04/2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uhuru
Has anyone used the DAP brand silicone? It is 100% silicone and also for doors and windows. On the back it says not recommended for underwater use. They have it at Savko but the workers didn't know if was aquarium safe or not.

Typically anything 100% silicone is safe.

basssnake · 09/04/2008, 10:04 PM

Just make sure it doesn't have any mildew resistent stuff in it.

goodtimes2 · 09/04/2008, 11:41 PM

What is the shortest cure time for the silicone to set? I want to redo my baffles in my sump, and was hoping to get everything up and running within 12 hours, is this too short a cure time?

vandj · 09/05/2008, 06:22 AM

i waited just about 24 hours on the tank i did, but i didnt wait as long in letting an overflow cure in a different tank and it made the water smell funky and gave it a wierd skim...

09/04/2008, 08:17 AM	#1
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	GE Silicon I windows and doors--safe to use in a saltwater system? The GE silicone I windows and doors that i have is the type that says nothing about having any mold inhibitors or bio-seal. It releases acetic acid(smells like vinegar to me). I want to know if this is safe to use where it would be exposed to the saltwater(of course after dry). GE said it wasn't safe and something about PH affecting something. I didn't understand what she was saying. I have seen on here that it is ok. Lets open the debate again, so I know for sure i am doing the right thing.

09/04/2008, 08:21 AM	#2
BigRedSpecial Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Posts: 405	I use it all the time, as do MANY others on this site. I think the biggest reason GE doesn't recommend it is potential liability reasons; we do live in a sue-happy lawyer culture after all. As an aside, the reason Acetic acid smells like vinegar, is because that is what vinegar is... a solution of acetic acid in water. __________________ My progression: 10g/T8 NO to PC; 20h/PC to T5; 45 corner/55 sump/kessil

09/04/2008, 07:05 PM	#9
REEF-n-Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA (san pedro) Posts: 1,456	That stuff is fine. I read (on here) that GE does not want to be responsible for something going wrong in a tank so they just go with the "it isnt safe stance" I use it as well __________________ Jordan My tank gets DRUNK every morning Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon w/ 100 gallon sump; 240 gallon

09/04/2008, 09:02 PM	#10
uhuru Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus Posts: 2,949	Has anyone used the DAP brand silicone? It is 100% silicone and also for doors and windows. On the back it says not recommended for underwater use. They have it at Savko but the workers didn't know if was aquarium safe or not. __________________ August 2011 TOTM

09/04/2008, 09:28 AM	#4
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Lol I hope its safe as I just connected about 100 lbs of rock together with it (and support rods)!

09/04/2008, 04:38 PM	#5
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	It is strong enough to hold rocks together? How did you get it to hold? I guess if all you guys say it is ok, then it must be. I figured it was, but wanted to be rest assured.

09/04/2008, 04:44 PM	#6
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	Yikes, I hope your live rock was perfectly dry when you used it, otherwise it's going to dissolve and get all over.

09/04/2008, 04:54 PM	#7
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	That is a scary thought.....lol......i just wouldn't think silicone would hold rock together that well.....am I wrong??

09/04/2008, 06:10 PM	#8
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	I used dry rock from bulkreefsupply and yes it holds rock together with the support of rods, here is my rock build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1460687

09/04/2008, 10:04 PM	#12
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	Just make sure it doesn't have any mildew resistent stuff in it.

09/04/2008, 11:41 PM	#13
goodtimes2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Juan Capistrano Posts: 998	What is the shortest cure time for the silicone to set? I want to redo my baffles in my sump, and was hoping to get everything up and running within 12 hours, is this too short a cure time?

09/05/2008, 06:22 AM	#14
vandj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: neah bay Posts: 73	i waited just about 24 hours on the tank i did, but i didnt wait as long in letting an overflow cure in a different tank and it made the water smell funky and gave it a wierd skim...