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DarkCobra · 12-11-2005, 11:05 AM

Found some solid info. Here's links to the original sites with relevant quotes.

From http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...921215031.html:

"G.E. Silicone I (not II) is aquarium safe. It used to be marked aquarium safe a while back,but has since been removed due to a contract with one of the name brands that is sold in Pet Stores for 5 times more. It is also marked "Windows and Doors ,100% Silicone, Clear."

From http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/mo.../msg00045.html:

"If you want to experiment with an inexpensive silicone sealant, try the
GE "Window & Door" sealer. There are *TWO* kinds, both GE brand: One
says "Silicone" on top - that's the good guy, the other says "Silicone
II" - stay away from it... One can not overemphasize YoHoHo's warning about "mildew resistant"
formulations. Years ago, GE used an arsenic compound for this purpose
(no wonder it killed fish!). Now they (and other manufacturers) are
hiding behind "trade secret" and give only a chemical registry number."

From http://www.wetwebmedia.com/aqrepfaq3.htm:

"Use only the silicon that specifically says on the package for aquarium use!!!! All the others have midewcides that will kill fish... GE Silicone I has been aquarium safe to date, but II is not."

And finally http://www.gpasi.org/mar02.pdf. In this link, someone actually e-mailed GE and asked them what's up:

The email response I got was:
“We always tell customers the same thing in regards to aquariums. What we tell them is that
we don't recommend any of our products for underwater submersion, but some aquarium
manufacturers choose to use our products anyway. The products they use most often are
RTV108 or IS808. These are industrial grade products. Our consumer grade (this means
they would be found at Home Depot or a local hardware store) offset to these industrial
grade products is GE012A (Window and Door Silicone I).
"Not for aquarium use" is on our cartridges for legal purposes. Silicone bonds can fail
underwater, especially on porous substrates (aquarium manufacturers use our products on
glass aquariums, glass is not porous).”
Another GE representative added:
“If you do use a silicone, make sure that you let the silicone cure for a full 7 days before you
introduce fish into your tank. I would not use the Silicone II in your aquarium.”

12-11-2005, 11:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
DarkCobra Algae Torturer (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 655	Found some solid info. Here's links to the original sites with relevant quotes. From http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...921215031.html: "G.E. Silicone I (not II) is aquarium safe. It used to be marked aquarium safe a while back,but has since been removed due to a contract with one of the name brands that is sold in Pet Stores for 5 times more. It is also marked "Windows and Doors ,100% Silicone, Clear." From http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/mo.../msg00045.html: "If you want to experiment with an inexpensive silicone sealant, try the GE "Window & Door" sealer. There are TWO kinds, both GE brand: One says "Silicone" on top - that's the good guy, the other says "Silicone II" - stay away from it... One can not overemphasize YoHoHo's warning about "mildew resistant" formulations. Years ago, GE used an arsenic compound for this purpose (no wonder it killed fish!). Now they (and other manufacturers) are hiding behind "trade secret" and give only a chemical registry number." From http://www.wetwebmedia.com/aqrepfaq3.htm: "Use only the silicon that specifically says on the package for aquarium use!!!! All the others have midewcides that will kill fish... GE Silicone I has been aquarium safe to date, but II is not." And finally http://www.gpasi.org/mar02.pdf. In this link, someone actually e-mailed GE and asked them what's up: The email response I got was: “We always tell customers the same thing in regards to aquariums. What we tell them is that we don't recommend any of our products for underwater submersion, but some aquarium manufacturers choose to use our products anyway. The products they use most often are RTV108 or IS808. These are industrial grade products. Our consumer grade (this means they would be found at Home Depot or a local hardware store) offset to these industrial grade products is GE012A (Window and Door Silicone I). "Not for aquarium use" is on our cartridges for legal purposes. Silicone bonds can fail underwater, especially on porous substrates (aquarium manufacturers use our products on glass aquariums, glass is not porous).” Another GE representative added: “If you do use a silicone, make sure that you let the silicone cure for a full 7 days before you introduce fish into your tank. I would not use the Silicone II in your aquarium.”