RTV rated silicone

[Cuteo3]

Hello,
Has anyone used a RTV rated silicone on a running reef system?
I am contemplating adding extra bracing to my 93 gal Marineland cube as extra precautionary measure. It is a rimless tank and just wanted to ensure that the added extra top bracing will help in securing any potential future bowing of the tank.
Just wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with this type of application on a running tank and what steps did you take to prevent any of the excess silicone from dripping into the water.
Are RTV 100 series rated silicone reef safe?

Any suggestions or insight on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Acp]

I have been using it for a year's on my tanks and sump. Both the black and clear are ok.

http://m.grainger.com/product/4UH12?gclid=COyJyPatm8wCFcUmhgodem0Djw&cm_mmc=PPC:GOOGLEPLAA-_-Adhesives%2C%20Sealants%20and%20Tape-_-Thread%20and%20Gasket%20Sealants-_-4UH12&AL!2966!3!50916781557!!!g!104636073477!&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!50916781557!!!g!104636073477!&ef_id=VwfghgAAAYvoLGAe:20160419184443:s

[Cuteo3]

I have been using it for a year's on my tanks and sump. Both the black and clear are ok.

http://m.grainger.com/product/4UH12?gclid=COyJyPatm8wCFcUmhgodem0Djw&cm_mmc=PPC:GOOGLEPLAA-_-Adhesives%2C%20Sealants%20and%20Tape-_-Thread%20and%20Gasket%20Sealants-_-4UH12&AL!2966!3!50916781557!!!g!104636073477!&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!50916781557!!!g!104636073477!&ef_id=VwfghgAAAYvoLGAe:20160419184443:s

Thank you. My concern is because I will be applying this to a current running tank, the chemical release might do harm to the tank inhabitants. My plan is to drain the water 1/4 of the way. Mask tape both the inner and outer side of the tank in case of any excess silicone running down. Caulk the top of the tank where the new brace will sit. I will do one brace at a time to limit the amount of chemical release.

[MADtanks]

When you do it, make sure you mask off the area to avoid dropping anything into the tank. Also your PH can possibly change due to the fumes that it emits. However I am unsure of how much it will effect it, but as a precaution i would run a large fan. Maybe open windows, and try to exhaust the fumes just to be on the safe side.

Masking tape, plastic bag, fan, open window.... GL.

[frankyrivera]

Aren't rimless tanks designed to withstand the water weight/pressure. Plus it's glass right that shouldn't bow. I think it would take away from the rimless look.

[Ari21]

aren't rimless tanks designed to withstand the water weight/pressure. Plus it's glass right that shouldn't bow. I think it would take away from the rimless look.

+1

[MADtanks]

aren't rimless tanks designed to withstand the water weight/pressure. Plus it's glass right that shouldn't bow. I think it would take away from the rimless look.

+2

[Cuteo3]

Aren't rimless tanks designed to withstand the water weight/pressure. Plus it's glass right that shouldn't bow. I think it would take away from the rimless look.

Yes I agree it does take away the rimless look. I guess I am being a bit overly paranoid having read about other rimless cubes giving way die to the half-@$$ silicone jobs.
Having said that, I do see some bubbles in the seams of my tank but the tank has been running for 2 years without any issues. Knock on wood.
That leads to my next question. If the silicone job has some bubbles in the seam, bracing or not, if the seam were to fail, the extra bracing wouldn't help? My logic is if the bracing prevents or minimize the movement of the glass walls, the less chances that the silicone will move and get worst? I am far from being a fabricator of any kind so please take that logic with a grain of salt. Lol.
Just throwing it out there for discussion.

[kb1094]

aren't rimless tanks designed to withstand the water weight/pressure. Plus it's glass right that shouldn't bow. I think it would take away from the rimless look.

+3

[Cuteo3]

This curing process of these RTV silicone sounds nasty. I may just forego the extra bracing idea unless an alternative adhesive can be used. This is a quote from another person on a different forum on the RTV curing process.


(1) Cure time 3 days at 25°C (77°F) / 50% relative humidity.

The cure process begins with the formation of a skin on the exposed surface of the sealant and progresses inward through the material. At 25°C (77°F) and 50% relative humidity, RTV102, RTV103, RTV106, RTV108, RTV109, RTV112 and RTV116 sealants will form a surface skin which is tack-free to the touch in 15 to 30 minutes. Once the tack-free skin has begun to form, further tooling of the adhesive sealant is not advisable. Higher temperatures and humidity will accelerate the cure process low temperatures and low humidity will slow the cure rate. As the adhesive sealant cures, acetic acid vapors are released from the sealant surface. The odor of acetic acid will completely disappear when curing is completed.

Maybe @Randy Holmes-Farley can chime in on the effects of acetic acid, but from what I've read, it's nasty stuff.

[jason2459]

I would say you will have no issues with the acetic acid fumes. If it mixes in the tank it would be a very small amount. Acetic acid is used by many including me for carbon dosing. It's vinegar. And is dosed in much greater quantities then what might be absorbed by your tank through air water exchanges. If you're really paranoid turn off the skimmer for the first 24 hours and blow a fan over top.

For bracing have you though of just bracing the the corners. I had some glass cut my a local glass shop for my tank.

Triangles with the tips cut off to fit over the inside silicon beads in each corner.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160420/4f3ec1e252e089a82f96e59eacd3f60d.jpg

[frust]

Hi.

Sorry for bringing up another silicone type than RTV.

I just want to hear what you have to say about these silicones. It's only for a 12" high 30g tank 8mm glass, so a small tank.

Does the properties look fine?
http://www.mccoysoudal.com/silirub-aq.html

And I also wonder if you know anything about Dow corning 788? There is no info at all out there except for this proof.
http://new.pwss.se/product.php?productid=677&cat=56&page=1

These are the silicones easiest available. If I want RTV it will cost me 67$ whith shipping for 2 tubes.