Silicone

[Dorkhedeos]

does anybody know if this is safe for fish? i was thinking about making some betta tanks, i know you can buy kritter keepers for cheaper, but i want something that looks nice

 

[Bignose]

Make sure it says 100% silicone. It should also not include any antifungal or antimildew agents. Perfumes and colors are also no-nos. Otherwise, it should be fine.

 

[Vip]

you can buy aquarium silicone anyway.

 

[Bignose]

At least here, the 'aquarium silicone' is 3-5 times as expensive as the hardware store silicone. Since it is the same stuff, why pay for the aquarium packaging?

 

[Vip]

Because you know 100% its safe and not going to harm your fish. If you really want to be cheap about it then go and buy the other stuff but then your gonna stress just incase it poiions your fish.

 

[smithrc]

We wondered the same and 80% of the 'normal' sealents actually say not for use in aquariums on the back - and with that on them - i didnt want to risk the other 20%.

we found Pets at home sold the same tubes as our lfs only it was £4 rather than £12 that one place sold it for. so look around a bit.

 

[Bignose]

Make sure it says 100% silicone. It should also not include any antifungal or antimildew agents. Perfumes and colors are also no-nos.

This is how you know its safe. You read the package and the contents list. Most of the warnings about not for aquarium use is for legal purposes: so there is no chance of you blaming the silicone company if a fish should die for any reason and you balme the silicone and so that you don't put together a 'homemade' aquarium and blame the company when it doesn't hold water or breaks.

If you read the packages instead of just grabbing the first one, you will be fine. If the 'aquarium sealant' nearby is about the same price, fine. Otherwise, you are paying for packaging alone. But, the question asked was "how do you know its safe?" -- and that is what I tried to answer.