OK, I'm dying...

[alexkharden]

...to put water into my tank.

The last siliconing work was done on Sunday. GE Silicone I

The last spray painting was done on Monday. Krylon Fusion Glossy Black.

The last pvc cementing was done on Monday. Oatley PVC All Purpose Cement.


The question is, will everything be cured enough for water, or do I need to wait longer? I have today and tomorrow off work, so I'd really love to be able to fill it and monitor the process.

What do you guys think?

 

[Salt Creep]

Go for it. I have always only went 48 hours for silicone... the rest is outside of your tank. Unless you actually siliconed a full tank together and not just baffles in a sump... then give it a week.

 

[TheEngineer]

What were you siliconing?

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

do I need to wait longer?

Hey alexkharden! Generally it depends of thickness silicone layer. What size of your tank and how much you spent silicone for it? Post a photo if you want

 

[alexkharden]

I siliconed the baffles in the sump, and the bulkheads in the overflow. Probably an 1/8th" bead around the baffles and a thin layer between the bulkhead and seal, and another between the seal and the glass.

 

[hybridazn]

I usually let the silicone cure for 24 hours. But glue I'll give a good rinse thru the pipes then I fire it up.

 

[Emisis]

Copied from GE's web site


What is the typical cure time (drying time) for silicone caulk?
A 3/16" bead "normally" completely cures in 24 hours. The cure time could vary depending on the moisture in the air. Lack of humidity will make the curing process slower. If the product shows some sign of curing, such as a change in original consistency, it should cure but might take longer than normal. It might take up to 48 hours for caulk to cure under cooler or dryer conditions.

Typical Properties
GE Silicone II* caulk:

• Tack-free: 30 minutes
• Water exposure: three hours
• Cure time: 24 hours

GE Silicone I* caulk:

• Tack-free: 30 minutes
• Water exposure: 12 hours
• Cure time: 24 hours

 

[Salt Creep]

If it doesn't smell bad anymore it's generally good for what you used it for. 48 hours max

 

[alexkharden]

Thanks everyone! I started filling at about 4 o'clock. I think I got about 70 gallons in, or so. I shut it off for sleep because I didn't want to leave it running without monitoring. Hopefully I can finish it tomorrow!

 

[Diesel]

Why would you silicone your bulkheads?
50% change they will start leaking in a later stage.

As for the rest you should be good to go but if I was you if still possible clean your bulkhead and do it the right way.

 

[Cment]

I agree with diesel, I don't recommend silicone around bulkheads. Bulkheads will leak over time and should be checked periodically. I end up having to tighten mine about once a year. I would remove that silicone now before water is inside to save yourself a huge headache later on if/when they leak.

 

[alexkharden]

I posted in a different post somewhere, but I tried. Six tubes I put them on and took them off, cleaned and wiped everything, put it back on, tried again. They just would not quit leaking. I didn't want to do it, but I felt like I had to.

 

[alexkharden]

Times*

 

[Cment]

I understand, bulkheads can be annoying but I assure you that they should not need silicone to stay sealed. I would have double checked the gasket, wiped off each end of the tank. If that didn't work I would have purchased new bulkheads. We've all had our issues with bulkheads but they're relatively inexpensive and doing it right from the start is a huge time saver and money saver if there ever is an issue.

 

[Diesel]

Can you post a few pics of your bulkheads how they are installed?

 

[alexkharden]

 

[alexkharden]

 

[alexkharden]

Unfortunately, I have what I have. Taking them out would destroy all of the plumbing, especially the return line from the sump. It's a tight fit under there, so I basically ended up with a stack of fittings. I have a true union ball valve, but I'd still have to hack through the bulkhead itself. Not to mention, you can see how tight a fit the overflow and the underside of the overflow are. This is one of them "sell it with the house" builds.

 

[alexkharden]

 

[alexkharden]