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View Full Version : How long to wait after silicone?


tomreefer
02/07/2016, 01:36 PM
I just siliconed my diy sump last night. How long should I wait to test it with water?

phxreefer
02/07/2016, 01:44 PM
Most will say to wait at least 24 hours, but I think longer is better. I've heard it can take up to 3 days or longer depending on thickness of silicone.

Mark426
02/07/2016, 02:08 PM
At least 3 days, maybe much longer depending on temps. If you can smell it at all then wait another couple of days. When I made my tank with RTV I waited 10 days.

sleepydoc
02/07/2016, 02:13 PM
At least a week. The cure times listed are for thinner beads in non- aquarium settings. The thicker beads we use continue to cure and out gas significantly longer with potentially toxic effects on livestock.

Fredfish
02/07/2016, 03:42 PM
If you are talking about the internal baffles, 24 hours is fine. The silicone will continue to cure under water and does not release anything toxic.

If its structural joints, I`d wait a week.

ca1ore
02/07/2016, 03:49 PM
I always give it a week, sometimes two.

ThisGuy12
02/07/2016, 07:24 PM
What kind of silicone did you use?

For baffles I would let it cure dry for 48 hours then fill it and let it leech into water for another 48 hours. This will help the off gassing.

Westcoastindia
02/08/2016, 05:22 AM
Usually I cure 24 hours for 1mm, ie for eg if the thickness is 6 mm I let it cure for 6 days. I might be over killing the cure period.