Silicone cure time?

sphelps · #1 03-04-2014, 10:36 PM

You run much more risk not running your system for 24 hours than introducing partially uncured silicone. IMO it seems silly just talking about it. Use the right silicone and you'll be fine but don't take my word for it or any one else's for that matter.

Reef Pilot · #2 03-04-2014, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

You run much more risk not running your system for 24 hours than introducing partially uncured silicone. IMO it seems silly just talking about it. Use the right silicone and you'll be fine but don't take my word for it or any one else's for that matter.

That's quite the caveat... LOL. I guess in all fairness, I would say the same. But just wondering if anyone has actually done that (3 hours), and not poisoned their tank. Of course, I will use aquarium safe silicone.

Masonjames · #3 03-05-2014, 12:48 AM

Silicone is still silicone wether it's aquarium safe or not. I agree, shutting down a system for 24 hrs posses a heavy risk, and yes probably significantly more so then a partially uncured silicone in the amounts you would need. So I agree it would be silly to shut your system down for 24 hrs. But I also wouldn't do 3 hours myself, And no offence to those who do. Which is why I mentioned earlier about maybe exploring some of the other options that people have suggested if you personally cannot find a balance between the time you are comfortable with curing the silicone and between the time you are comfortable with having your system shut down. So if three hours works for you then by all means go ahead. If your not comfortable with that and the time you would be comfortable with is far beyond what you comfortably want to shut half your system down then maybe there's your answer. Many great alternatives have been suggested to accomplish a similar result and some which may also come with additional benefits. So everyone else's opinion aside, what is it worth to you to silicone a hook into your tank, and what if any risks are you willing to take to accomplish such, or is finding a different solution better for your situation etc.

Reef Pilot · #4 03-05-2014, 01:12 AM

Well, I'd be really interested if anyone did it for 3 hours, and had no problems. I am not anxious to risk my tank, either.

But not sure if going 24 hours would be that bad for my tank. It is only my sump and return that would be disconnected. I would still have my in tank wavemaker pumps providing plenty of flow. And of course would have a heater.