Tank Made without Fish Safe Silicone

[Gitsoe]

I had an acrylic shop make a tank for me months ago, never got a chance to set it up yet but I was just thinking what if they didn't use fish safe silicone? Would the tank still be usable? what would happen if I tried to use the tank?

 

[sucker_fish]

assuming that it was made at an acrylic shop i'm gonna take a risk and assume its an acrylic tank, if they used silicone to join the panels then you are already in trouble. If the tank is glass and they used silicone thats not reef safe (the mold and mildew resistant kind) then you are likely to run into problems. I have heard horror stories about it killing corals, crustaceans, snails, macro algae etc.

 

[tam]

If it's an acrylic shop chances are they did not use silicone, none of the major manufacturers do. They use chemical welding/bonding agents like Weld-On 4. For them to go out of their way to buy silicone to do the job is kind of a stretch.

 

[Gitsoe]

oh sorry... left out some info, they did weld it but then he added silicone for extra protection or support he said. but hopefully they did use fish safe . I guess the only way to know forsure is to add water and heat and test right?

 

[Gitsoe]

I guess I can give them a call but I have a feeling they'll say they did no matter what

 

[nixer]

oh sorry... left out some info, they did weld it but then he added silicone for extra protection or support he said. but hopefully they did use fish safe . I guess the only way to know forsure is to add water and heat and test right?

umm i wouldnt be using that tank. id take it right back!

 

[gar732]

umm i wouldnt be using that tank. id take it right back!

+1 Hopefully troylee will chime in or maybe PM him and get his opinion but that doesn't sound right to me either.

 

[Crooks]

An acrylic tank shouldnt need silicone ever.

 

[hybridazn]

Silicone wont bond to acrylic properly anyway. If he did use it I would be hesitant to use that tank

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[Gitsoe]

Geez.... you think it will be possible to cut out the silicone?

 

[Strgazr27]

Yes it is but in the process you'll likely wind up scratching the tank so badly you'll render it useless anyway. Take it back. Useless IMHO as even if they did use fish safe sealant it will likely start peeling or separating. Find a different shop.

 

[laynframe]

Sounds like they knew the joints sucked so they scabbed it and used silicone. I wouldnt use it either!

 

[saltwaternewbee]

Is there a reef safe silicone I can buy from Menards, Lowes or home depot?

 

[Troylee]

The silicone should peel right off... I would be scared to fill that tank fwiw they obviously didn't know what they were doing...:sad:

 

[Gitsoe]

Thanks for the help everyone!...now its time for me to think about what to do next.

 

[returnofsid]

Your next step should be to take it back to them, demanding your money back and asking why they used silicon. If they're acrylic fabricators, they should be aware that silicon will not bond to acrylic.

 

[lawnman]

That is odd. Hope the guy making my new acrylic sump does not use silicone. :bigsmile:

 

[Gitsoe]

Yea hopefully!

So now what can I do with that tank? Is it pretty much trash?

 

[Zombie]

Do you see air bubbles or voids in the joints?

 

[Troylee]

Yea hopefully!

So now what can I do with that tank? Is it pretty much trash?

Can you post some pictures of the seams??? Take a few shots of the joints I could tell ya by that... Or fill it up in the garage and let it sit for a couple weeks see what happens.... But some pix of the joints will explain alot for me... Are they real clean and shiny or dull and hazy etc???