Curing time for silicone

LuciDog · 09/13/2015, 09:28 AM

Rebuilding my sump.... I need to disconnect the sump to do this obviously. 2 questions

1) how long do I need to let silicone cure before I can put it back in the system
2) how long can I leave the sump unhooked before it becomes a problem... I can add extra powerheads if need be.

MondoBongo · 09/13/2015, 01:08 PM

some of the silicon will have instructions for cure times on the tube, however the usual number i see thrown around here is 24 hours. this jives pretty well with what i experienced siliconing my sump. the silicon seemed fully set, and with no more smell, at 24 hours. longer wouldn't be a bad thing, but in the case of "hot swapping" a sump, you probably won't have that luxury.

-edit-

to your second question, as long as you move your heater, and ato to the tank while the sump is offline, really it could run indefinitely without the sump connected. this is assuming that you have sufficient agitation from powerheads to promote gas exchange in the main tank without the aide of a skimmer. in a typical and healthy tank, you should be just fine with a normal PH load out.

LuciDog · 09/13/2015, 03:50 PM

Thanks. I'm going to try and wait until I absolutely have to, to take the sump offline.

whosurcaddie · 09/13/2015, 05:44 PM

When I did mine 24 hours wasn't enough. I had to wait 5 days for the smell to dissipate. Whatever you do make sure the smell is gone before you start using it. When the smell is gone its totally inert and will not damage anything. Oh and also get a reef safe silicone.

ca1ore · 09/13/2015, 08:08 PM

I don't have a tube in front of me, but if memory serves its 24 hrs based in a 1/8" bead. Since one uses much more than that, I always give it a full week.

theMatrix · 09/13/2015, 09:22 PM

Mine didn't hold after 48hrs...the pressure just pushes the baffles out. Or are you talking about the actual 4 edges or the sump like to prevent leaks.

Anyway. My bafles aren't there anymore. 48hrs didn't cut it. When i decide to drain and redo. I plan to seperglue it then silicone it after.
As i would not plan to ever remove my baffles

Sandrock.e46 · 09/14/2015, 12:11 AM

Safe bet is one week

LuciDog · 09/14/2015, 09:26 AM

I just need to add 2 baffles, and while I'm in there I'll be glueing down the bracket for my float valve. This is pending I can cut the baffles straight...

laga77 · 09/14/2015, 10:00 AM

The thicker the silicone, the longer the cure.

09/13/2015, 09:28 AM	#1
LuciDog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 355	Curing time for silicone Rebuilding my sump.... I need to disconnect the sump to do this obviously. 2 questions 1) how long do I need to let silicone cure before I can put it back in the system 2) how long can I leave the sump unhooked before it becomes a problem... I can add extra powerheads if need be. __________________ Current tank info: 30gal sumpless 120gal with 40gal sump 90gal freshwater - 2 angel, blood parrot, 3 mystery snails, pleco, and a school of rasbora's

09/13/2015, 01:08 PM	#2
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	some of the silicon will have instructions for cure times on the tube, however the usual number i see thrown around here is 24 hours. this jives pretty well with what i experienced siliconing my sump. the silicon seemed fully set, and with no more smell, at 24 hours. longer wouldn't be a bad thing, but in the case of "hot swapping" a sump, you probably won't have that luxury. -edit- to your second question, as long as you move your heater, and ato to the tank while the sump is offline, really it could run indefinitely without the sump connected. this is assuming that you have sufficient agitation from powerheads to promote gas exchange in the main tank without the aide of a skimmer. in a typical and healthy tank, you should be just fine with a normal PH load out. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

09/13/2015, 03:50 PM	#3
LuciDog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 355	Thanks. I'm going to try and wait until I absolutely have to, to take the sump offline. __________________ Current tank info: 30gal sumpless 120gal with 40gal sump 90gal freshwater - 2 angel, blood parrot, 3 mystery snails, pleco, and a school of rasbora's

09/13/2015, 08:08 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I don't have a tube in front of me, but if memory serves its 24 hrs based in a 1/8" bead. Since one uses much more than that, I always give it a full week. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/14/2015, 09:26 AM	#8
LuciDog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 355	I just need to add 2 baffles, and while I'm in there I'll be glueing down the bracket for my float valve. This is pending I can cut the baffles straight... __________________ Current tank info: 30gal sumpless 120gal with 40gal sump 90gal freshwater - 2 angel, blood parrot, 3 mystery snails, pleco, and a school of rasbora's

09/13/2015, 05:44 PM	#4
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	When I did mine 24 hours wasn't enough. I had to wait 5 days for the smell to dissipate. Whatever you do make sure the smell is gone before you start using it. When the smell is gone its totally inert and will not damage anything. Oh and also get a reef safe silicone.

09/13/2015, 09:22 PM	#6
theMatrix Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 302	Mine didn't hold after 48hrs...the pressure just pushes the baffles out. Or are you talking about the actual 4 edges or the sump like to prevent leaks. Anyway. My bafles aren't there anymore. 48hrs didn't cut it. When i decide to drain and redo. I plan to seperglue it then silicone it after. As i would not plan to ever remove my baffles

09/14/2015, 12:11 AM	#7
Sandrock.e46 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 35	Safe bet is one week

09/14/2015, 10:00 AM	#9
laga77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Alsip, IL Posts: 1,133	The thicker the silicone, the longer the cure. __________________ Four legs good. Two legs better. Current Tank Info: 50G SPS/NPS Reef, 120G Mixed Reef, 120G FOWRL, 29G Seahorse tank, 20G Observation tank,