Black or Clear Silicone?

[Txdragonslayer]

I am debating if I want to build my own Aquarium this time round. I am confident in my abilities, but I am less familiar with the properties of both the black vs clear silicone. I noticed most box type aquariums are clear, and yet, more custom aquariums are black. Is there a reason other than mold or aesthetic preference? Is the black stronger than clear silicone? Any input anyone can add is greatly appreciated.

 

[Jisko]

I am debating if I want to build my own Aquarium this time round. I am confident in my abilities, but I am less familiar with the properties of both the black vs clear silicone. I noticed most box type aquariums are clear, and yet, more custom aquariums are black. Is there a reason other than mold or aesthetic preference? Is the black stronger than clear silicone? Any input anyone can add is greatly appreciated.

I believe its just what ever you like... you can buy tank silicone in a lot of different colors. My LFS even sells it in silver haha

 

[HiddenUser]

When I get my tank I was told there wasnt any difference other than the fact that one hid algae better than the other.

 

[wkscott]

I have had many tsnks in the past, all with white. As mentioned above, the white shows the algae, so I scrubbed and scrubbed it, always in danger of removing too much of the sealant. My latest tsnk has black and cleaning it is a breeze since I don't see the algae. The tight corners always look clean now.

 

[Airwarf]

Black leaves clean lines that always look constant from the outside. Clear shows all the growth right thought it, but when clean looks less intrusive. It's all personal preference. I personally think black caulk looks better in the long run once the tank starts prospering.

 

[cilyjr]

Just to be clear (excuse the pun) you are aware that you must buy construction grade adhesive silicone right?

There is a big difference between sealant and adhesive silicone. Pretty much all the "aquarium silicone" available in stores (aqueon, marineland, ect) is sealant NOT adhesive. I use momentive rtv series silicone rtv 103 is black. Momentive used to be ge rvt100 series.

 

[HowardJ02]

If I were building, I would do black! I just think it looks so much nicer.

 

[Neko]

Have you ever own ADA (Aqua Design Amano) glass tank? It use super clear silicon with perfect connection of glasses. The silicon is not visible by eyes at all. I have ADA tank for my nature aquarium tank and RedSea tank for my reefs. ADA tank looks much much better. Ideally, I want RedSea tank with clear silicone.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I used clear on my current tank. After 3 years, the clear doesn't look very good. I would use black if I were to do it again.

 

[SantaMonica]

Probably not relevant to most, but one difference is that the black pigment in the black is probably carbon black, which is slightly electrically conductive.

This might affect some electrical parts if they are touching it.