GE silicone 2

[Dtackett]

@Randy Holmes-Farley im wondering if you can give some insight into the reasons to not use GE2...

I have been researching for a little while and understand the MSDS for GE2 doesn't list anything different from GE1 and that there is just more of certain silicones in it that are known to prevent mold, not necessarily a "mold inhibitor additive" like many believe. Though this may be incorrect as I haven't compared the 2 msds side by side.

I have also seen posts from individuals who say they've used ge2 with years of success and the issue people have is they don't allow it to fully cure, that they need to allow a minimum 2 week cure time.

Do you have any input on this? I prefer to hear the scientific reason instead of the random hearsay that floats around in this hobby, that's why im asking you directly.

 

[Tegridy Reef]

I got a guy who could give u insight with more science I'll have to see if I can contact him I know u didn't want to here random stuff but used and worked perfectly the biggest factors I believe that I rember when I used it was didn't want it to leach toxins or phos and also the mold thing is huge u don't want that mold to grow I'll reach out to that guy thou hopefully he will get back to me but I do rember he said u can use different ones just has to prevent mold was his huge idea that he passed to me

 

[kschweer]

From what I remember the difference is in the way they cure. The ge1 has an acetic cure while the ge2 has an ammonia cure. If you don't want to wait for a "full" cure the ge1 is a better choice. If you allow for a full cure and longer 2-3 weeks you can use the ge2. This is just what I remember from a few conversations a while back. I tend to use rtv for siliconing things for tanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, the ingredients are somewhat different as they use different curing technologies, which release different small molecules (acetic acid (not toxic) in Silicone I and ammonia and methanol in Silicone II (potentially toxic)). Allowing a long curing time should reduce the risk of ammonia release (more than a week), but I'd advise using Silicone I since there's no such concern.

How much of the issue relating to aquarium use comments is real risk and how much is a manufacturer avoiding liability and wanting folks to use more expensive products is not clear to me. The latter certainly happens (MAG Flake is an example of that, IMO), but I do not know if the real risk is significant, or only happens when used in unusual scenarios, or only happens when used improperly. But I have seen many instances of people using Silicone II too soon (24 h) and having livestock die.

 

[Dtackett]

FWIW, the ingredients are somewhat different as they use different curing technologies, which release different small molecules (acetic acid (not toxic) in Silicone I and ammonia and methanol in Silicone II (potentially toxic)). Allowing a long curing time should reduce the risk of ammonia release (more than a week), but I'd advise using Silicone I since there's no such concern.

How much of the issue relating to aquarium use comments is real risk and how much is a manufacturer avoiding liability and wanting folks to use more expensive products is not clear to me. The latter certainly happens (MAG Flake is an example of that, IMO), but I do not know if the real risk is significant, or only happens when used in unusual scenarios, or only happens when used improperly. But I have seen many instances of people using Silicone II too soon (24 h) and having livestock die.

thanks for that. and if the only real difference is the curing time that wont be an issue for me. once its setup itll be set for close to a month before it gets wet anyway. I was wondering more because I have a tube of ge2 laying around for some reason and cant find ge1 in the smaller tubes anywhere local (im out in the country)

I guess I can be a test subject in this seeing as how my setup wont be worth much. its only a 1.5 gallon vase.