100% silicone "not for aquarium use?"

[d3rryc]

I picked up some GE Silicone I clear waterproof 100% silicone today to glue some glass baffles into a tank and convert it to a sump. I made sure that it was NOT the kitchen/bath kind that has the anti-mold and anti-mildew, but the tube still says, "not for use below the water line or aquariums." Is this stuff TRULY not for aquariums, or is this just legal CYA by GE to prevent lawsuits from hobbyists?

[Third Coast Tropical]

I have used it before in a sump (sounds like the exact same application...baffles) for my large clown tank I had partitioned to hold various broodfish. We also used it all the time at UTMSI on most of our systems without issues during my 4 1/2 year tenure there.. Just make sure it isn't the anti-mold/anti-mildew variety...that is where the issue lies.....

Wear gloves...it can get messy....

[ErikH]

I have used it too.

[jroescher]

When they label it for aquarium use, they charge a lot more.

[alton]

GE makes a silicone for aquariums but it is in a smaller tube. You can find it in the Acrylic/Plexi Glass section of Home Depot or Lowes. DAP makes it in the normal caulk tube size and I picked it up from Sippels in UC a while back.

[Bill S]

If it says "not for aquarium use", my general rule is not to use it.

[subsailor]

GE No longer makes anything for Aquarium Use. A couple of years back they got sued when a tank started leaking so they put that label on there now for liability reasons although it is the same stuff that was labeled for aquiriums as couple of years ago.

[Third Coast Tropical]

I wouldn't use it to seal a tank, only to hold things in place (baffles, nylon mesh, etc.) Again, we used it at a working research hatchery/nursery (UTMSI-FAML) in most of our systems over several years without any adverse affects. Thousands upon thousands upon thousands upon thousands of fish and shrimp larvae have been reared in these systems for many years and a huge amount of research has come out due to this facility. It was also used in systems that held our broodstock, again with no adverse affects. We did use the DAP brand for awhile but the type we were using was no longer available and had to switch to the GE brand. It is imperative not to use the type that has the anti-mold/anti-mildew variety. I understand some peoples reservations about using such product, and we didn't ever actually run a scientific experiment (to my knowledge testing this). My opinion is purely based on my/our experiences over many years using this product.

[Bill S]

Good post, TCT.

[theedprado]

Insurance deal, anti mold formulas contain copper though.

[Europhyllia]

You guys are so brave! I wouldn't dare do field tests on my own stuff. LOL

I'll gladly rely on your field testing though. ;)

[moparnut]

i have personally built a few tanks using this GE type 1 silicone. as said before, as long as it does not have anti mold/mildew it is good. my pops down in fla has had a 55 gallon for 3 yrs with no problem. i have a 75 gallon in my livingroom right now that was put together from this stuff for 2 yrs. it works great for me.