Losing Corals fast...question about GE Silicone II

[Carrera75]

Originally Posted by fishytime

Really sorry to hear about your losses.....I guess the moral of the story is.... Don't cheap out..... It's amazing to me how many folks look for cheap alternatives for things in this hobby..... Only silicone I've ever used is All Glass aquarium silicone..... Way more expensive than GE or any other brand, but at least I KNOW that it is aquarium safe...... GEs products are not formulated with the aquarium hobby in mind and small changes in formulation can obviously have a big effect..... Again sorry for your issues

Please think a bit more before posting. Do you really think that I would risk my corals in order to save a few bucks? I have invested so much money and time into my set up that saving a few bucks was not the reason to use GE Silicone II.

Money was never an issue. Let me tell you that I set up a whole new tank and spent lots of money just so I could give more room to my Elegance. I take pride in ALWAYS doing my best to provide the best environment for every fish or coral that I bring into my tank. Again, don't make assumptions or come to conclusions too quickly before you have all the facts.

[Aquattro]

I also didn't use it to save money, the GE I wasn't available in black, so I used the II. It cured for a few weeks before I added water, but the tank has been running for a year+ and doing well. Perhaps they have changed the formula since then and it contains the inhibitors mentioned.

[Carrera75]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I also didn't use it to save money, the GE I wasn't available in black, so I used the II. It cured for a few weeks before I added water, but the tank has been running for a year+ and doing well. Perhaps they have changed the formula since then and it contains the inhibitors mentioned.

Your are right, I was told that the formula changes from time to time. It also seems that some people used it but they let it cure for weeks and that seemed to work well. I would not advise anybody to use this Silicone for reef purposes in the future.

[bkelly]

So do you guys think that a tank /sump that currently is running and has GE ii silicone in it needs to have the silicone removed because of the possibility of it leaching mold inhibitors?
My sump was re siliconed with the GEii ,the tank did crash but is healthy again and SPS are stable in it now (its been a few months) . my Duncan and one acan are still not fully open but all else is doing well.
thanks

[bkelly]

cold you PM me the GE reps email? The silicone i used was GEII window and door, like to ask him if mold inhibitors are in it? I had read this one was ok.

[Carrera75]

Originally Posted by bkelly

cold you PM me the GE reps email? The silicone i used was GEII window and door, like to ask him if mold inhibitors are in it? I had read this one was ok.

This is the email but I think I already have your answer. Below is the email that I got from them. I believe your answer is there.

"Daniel,

Thanks for your email and I am sorry to hear about what happened. The Silicone II has a mold and mildew inhibitator in it and will never go away. Unfortunately, as long as the silicone II is in the tank, you run the risk of it killing the reef, etc. We would recommend removing all of the silicone to keep from that happening.

Matthew Brown
Customer Service Rep.
askgesa@momentive.com
P - 877.943.7325
F - 304.746.1654"

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by bkelly

So do you guys think that a tank /sump that currently is running and has GE ii silicone in it needs to have the silicone removed because of the possibility of it leaching mold inhibitors?

I'd say that if the tank is fine now, it should stay fine. I don't think chemicals hang around for a while and decide one day to leach (relative to this scenario).
As I mentioned, I used the GE II and had no problems, so I wouldn't now tear my tank apart to replace it
Based on the rep stating that the formula changes, I probably wouldn't use it again, just in case. Silicone I and GE 1200 are both safe options, so I'll use those on future tanks.

[Carrera75]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'd say that if the tank is fine now, it should stay fine. I don't think chemicals hang around for a while and decide one day to leach (relative to this scenario).
As I mentioned, I used the GE II and had no problems, so I wouldn't now tear my tank apart to replace it
Based on the rep stating that the formula changes, I probably wouldn't use it again, just in case. Silicone I and GE 1200 are both safe options, so I'll use those on future tanks.

I think you are right again. If you are not having any problems now, I doubt you'll have them later.

Aquattro, you mentioned that GE I and 1200 are reef safe. Do you know where I could buy some?

Finally, do you guys think that it's safe to use the sand that's currently in the tank again? It's practically new sand but I am not sure if it would absorb some of the toxic stuff that the silicone has released in the water.

[no_bs]

Oh Man, sorry to hear this. One of the few tanks that we have yet to see. What a shame. I to have used this silicone, but have left things for weeks before i used it, with no issues. As for your sand, wash the crap out it and you should be fine. Good luck, and hope things pull through.

[bkelly]

I left my rock and sand in after the crash, its fine now. ( over a month) it did take a while to stabalize and things kept dying for quite a while. However you guys are probably right the toxins break down or dissipate over time. Keep the carbon going and change the water lots.

Originally Posted by Carrera75

I think you are right again. If you are not having any problems now, I doubt you'll have them later.

Aquattro, you mentioned that GE I and 1200 are reef safe. Do you know where I could buy some?

Finally, do you guys think that it's safe to use the sand that's currently in the tank again? It's practically new sand but I am not sure if it would absorb some of the toxic stuff that the silicone has released in the water.