Okay, so why black silicone?

[jmatt]

I've been told it's so that algae can't be seen on it. But I gotta admit, for what it's costing me to build this tank with braces and low iron glass, going from clear to black seems less... elegant? Attractive?

And I've seen it said that clear is stronger than black.

So, any opinions and observations?

 

[blaxsun]

It all gets covered in coralline algae eventually anyway.

 

[Zach B]

I think this is more of a preference than a beneficial difference. I will say that the only thing on the black silicone in my tank is coralline algae and snails. Not sure it makes a big difference. Best of luck

 

[davidcalgary29]

Seam incursions are much more apparent in black silicone than clear, and this is especially true if you use oolite, which drifts in and clearly outlines each pocket. It can act as a nice early-warning system for tank failure.

 

[blaxsun]

Seam incursions are much more apparent in black silicone than clear, and this is especially true if you use oolite, which drifts in and clearly outlines each pocket. It can act as a nice early-warning system for tank failure.

That's good to know!

 

[Tamberav]

I've been told it's so that algae can't be seen on it. But I gotta admit, for what it's costing me to build this tank with braces and low iron glass, going from clear to black seems less... elegant? Attractive?

And I've seen it said that clear is stronger than black.

So, any opinions and observations?

The best tanks I have seen (freshwater) use clear except they don’t have the huge ugly smear inside. Just very clean silicone only between the panels with some even having 45 degree edges so not even that can be seen.

An example is the Ultum Nature Systems

Yet the reef side seems to keep using big bulky silicone that gets damaged by scrapes and such.

Just an observation.

 

[davidcalgary29]

That's good to know!

Only up until you see it happen at the bottom of one of your tanks...

 

[blaxsun]

Only up until you see it happen at the bottom of one of your tanks...

Let's hope not! I'm installing a leak sensor on Monday.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I chose black for no other reason than I like the look.

 

[SPS2020]

Let's hope not! I'm installing a leak sensor on Monday.

Off topic, but I use the Neptune LDK as well as WatchDog and GoVee WiFi Water Sensors. Redundancy! I like the GoVee as they do not rely upon WiFi to sound an alarm, but have the ability to send an alert to your phone.

GoVee Water Sensor

Back to OP topic, I like the look of black silicone better as it disappears into the black acrylic background of my tank.

 

[blaxsun]

Off topic, but I use the Neptune LDK as well as WatchDog and GoVee WiFi Water Sensors. Redundancy! I like the GoVee as they do not rely upon WiFi to sound an alarm, but have the ability to send an alert to your phone.

GoVee Water Sensor

That's the one I'm adding to the Neptune FMM. Thanks for the tip on the other one - I'll definitely check it out.

 

[brmc1985]

It all gets covered in coralline algae eventually anyway.

Thank you for saying “anyway” instead of “anyways”.

 

[jmatt]

Thank you for saying “anyway” instead of “anyways”.

Yes, there's a lot of poor grammar on the board. We appreciate when people use the King's English.

It should be one of the badges we can earn around here. "Speaks Proper English"