Silicone curing time

[sgarron]

I built my tank on Friday 6/18. How long should I let the silicone cure before water testing the tank?

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa271/sgarron/DSC_0028.jpg

[runningstix]

look on the side of the silicon tube. If I recall corectly it says fully cured in 24 hours. at least thats the GE I.

[billdogg]

+1 24hrs should be plenty

[sgarron]

I used Perenator, from Aquamedic. It should be 24hrs as well, don't really know, everything is in German...LOL.

Euro-bracing goes on tomorrow, I'll fill it up Friday before I leave work, if it's still full on Monday than it should be OK.

[Doahh]

Um no... Most silicon should wait 48 Hours to be FULLY cured

[Jay Fortay]

+1 on the 24 hours. Tank looks great. GE sets in 5 minutes, cures in 24hrs.

[sgarron]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Just wanted some confirmation. Either way, 24 or 48 hrs. the silicone will have cured for a week. I'm going to fill it up Friday in a room at work with a floor drain just in case.

[timnnell]

Most silicon can be leak tested after 24 hrs and fully cures in 48.

[Lewy]

Rough guide for silicon is 1mm per day.

[Jay Fortay]

a week is way long enough :)

[Recty]

I assume you meant you built it on 7/18? Otherwise you've been letting it cure for over a month.

Regardless of if it's a month or a week, you've waited plenty long enough.

[sgarron]

Oops, my bad, 7/18.

[AcroSteve]

Some of the stronger silicones take several days and up to a week to fully cure. What did you use?

[sgarron]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13000924#post13000924 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sgarron
I used Perenator, from Aquamedic. It should be 24hrs as well, don't really know, everything is in German...LOL.

Euro-bracing goes on tomorrow, I'll fill it up Friday before I leave work, if it's still full on Monday than it should be OK.

[sgarron]

I filled it Friday, so far so good.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa271/sgarron/DSC_0039.jpg

[Doug864]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13029028#post13029028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AcroSteve
Some of the stronger silicones take several days and up to a week to fully cure. What did you use?
What brands are you talking about that are stronger? Do they also have a longer working time? And are they used more for larger tanks?
Thanks,
Doug

[SNAKEMANVET]

I just put a new bottom glass on a 240 long,I used silicone from glasscages. It does not have a brand name on the tube, just aquirum silicone.I let it set for 48hrs before filling.I don't know if their silicone is stronger than the regular kind.I just don't trust useing GE I silicone on such a large piece of glass with that much pressure.I am sure alot of people use it.

[Doahh]

So you use GLASSCAGES silicon?!?!

[SNAKEMANVET]

It is holding up so far.The tank has been filled for 3 days.The silicone was $5.00 for a 10oz tube.

[Lemeshianos]

once you fill it how do you know your tank is ok?
Does it leak immediately or do you have to let it filled up for a few days?
I finished my sump 2 days ago and i m going to fill it today to test it.
So far my idea for leak testing is having newspapers on the bottom. If they get wet, there's a leak.
Is it ok, or are there any other better ways to check?

[AcroSteve]

Just off the top of my head, they are 995 and 999 buy Dow.