Sealant

[fry_lover]

I used some sealant on a tank yesterday, thinking 24 hours was enough, but i when i read the instructions today (LOL - after i used the stuff!) it says wait 48 hours and its only been 20 hours and later tonight i was counting on using the tank (24 hours after applying Sealant)

It was not leaking, i already checked (it held water no leaks for 72 hours)

BUT this 48" used to house Rats or Mice or something and some of the original sealant had been nibbled LOL

so where i saw that some sealant had been nibbled away i applied some new sealant

Do you think 24 hours will be enough,

Its proper aquarium sealant

Will it be toxic to the fish if i fill the tank and put fish in, 24 hours after using the sealant?

It appears to have "set" completely anyway, i just checked and as the tank was not leaking in the first place i am not overly concerned

just thinking about the "toxicity" if any to the fish

Thanks

 

[Will91]

I have a lot of experience with silicone based sealants. You would probably be OK for most applications with 24 hrs cure but since these silicones generally release acetic acid, for an aquarium application, I'd be inclined to wait the full 48 hours. You know it contains acetic acid if it smells like vinegar. You would not want the acetic acid leaching out into the tank water and dropping the pH.

 

[MojoDex]

just follow the instructions better safe than sorry mine sdays 4days so i leave it 4day i dont want a flash flood in my house!

 

[SuperColey1]

On something like a tank I would wait the whole 48 hours, if not longer. If using to stick a light in the hood or something, I give it 3 or 4 hours and then let it finish off whilst on the top.

 

[windsor-aquatic]

On a new tank build, we generally advise leaving the tank 1 day per mm thickness of glass used, i.e. a 10mm tank would be left for 10 days.

 

[Tolak]

On a new tank build, we generally advise leaving the tank 1 day per mm thickness of glass used, i.e. a 10mm tank would be left for 10 days.

Is this for structural reasons? I have a really old 63 gallon metal framed tank, slate bottomed 50+ year old job. It needs a reseal when I get to it, but by all appearances the metal frame on all seams as well as around the top gives it structural support. I'm not in a big hurry, I've had it for over 3 years, and would have no problem letting it sit a couple of weeks for the silicone to cure, I'm just wondering if the thickness of the glass had any part to play in the curing rate.

 

[windsor-aquatic]

The time I quoted was to allow the silicon to fully cure. It feels quite firm to the touch after 10-12 hours, but the curing process goes on for some considerable time. The reference to glass thickness referred to the fact that thicker glass by implication means greater tank height, and thus increased water pressure on the bottom seams.