Even the most luxurious and lovingly populated by exotic inhabitants of the aquarium is not immune from sudden leaks. It does not matter at all what causes the production mar- riage or the violation of the operating rules, the silicone for the aquarium will help to cope with the problem.
Silicone for the aquarium - why is it needed?
Nowadays, when the range of adhesives exceeds any, even the most daring imaginations, the natural question arises - is it necessary to use silicone for gluing aquariums ? The answer is categorical - no glue can guarantee aquarium inhabitants such a high level of chemical safety, like a special silicone for an aquarium, whose composition does not react with either air or water. At the same time, such a sealant has a sufficient level of elasticity to withstand the considerable pressure of the water in the aquarium.
Silicone for the aquarium is a highly plastic, dense synthetic mass, which very quickly solidifies in the air. Silicon molecules, which are part of the silicone, contribute to the formation of a strong and elastic joint at the same time, for the destruction of which a force of at least 200 kg per square cm is required. Unlike rigid adhesive joints, the load on the silicone joint does not lead to cracks on the glass.
Adhesive silicone for aquarium - features
Going to buy a silicone for gluing the aquarium should pay attention to the presence on the tube of the corresponding "aquarium" markings - inscriptions in English or Russian or a pictogram-fish. Do not succumb to the persuasion of sellers that universal sealant will do no worse. The composition of universal building silicone adhesives often includes antibacterial and antifungal additives, which gradually penetrate into the water and destroy its inhabitants, which is not included in the aquarist's plans.
Silicone for aquarium - types
Let's see in detail what kind of silicone to glue the aquarium:
- For repair and aquarium work, only special sealants are suitable, in which there is no acid and antifungal additives. You can learn them by special labeling.
- The color of silicone is not particularly important - it can be either colorless, black or white. But we must remember that any coloring additives are an additional load on the formula of silicone that reduces its strength and increases the risk of chemical contamination of water in the aquarium.
- Among the brands sold in the domestic market, silicones for the aquarium Tytan Professional, Somafix Aquarium Silicone, Soudal, "Herment" proved to be the best.
Black silicone for aquarium
There is an opinion that the best silicone for the aquarium is not transparent, but black. He is credited with greater bond strength and speed of solidification. In fact, no super-adhesive qualities of black dye silicone does not give, possessing only aesthetic properties. Glued with this silicone, the aquarium acquires a certain severity of lines and shapes, which can visually "cool" the small capacity of the container. Therefore, it is traditionally used for gluing large aquariums.
Transparent silicone for aquarium
Depending on what color the silicone sealant was chosen, an aquarium of one liter and a mold can look absolutely different. Transparent silicone makes a glass structure weightless, soaring. But it has a number of drawbacks, for example, it changes color under the influence of medicines added to the water. In addition, on the transparent joint, algae and plaque are more visible. Colorless silicone is recommended for gluing small aquariums and for the first experiments in modeling aquariums.
How to glue an aquarium with silicone?
Let's consider in detail how to use silicone correctly when manufacturing or repairing an aquarium:
- We glue the perimeter of each glass with paint tape. Stepping back from the edge to the thickness of the glass, plus a few mm, carefully glue the strips of paint tape. It will help to make the seams neat and protect the glasses from ugly sags. This part of the work will take about an hour for the entire aquarium, but it will save time later, when it will not be necessary to clean the silicone blots and rips.
- Degrease the surfaces to be bonded. No matter which company purchased the glue-silicone for the aquarium, the instruction must contain a warning that the surfaces before gluing must be thoroughly degreased. This can be done with a cloth moistened with alcohol, acetone or white spirit. In this case, the fabric should not leave the villi on the surface of the glass, as they can cause a marriage.
- Install the beacon. In order for the seams to get the right thickness, in each corner of the future seam we squeeze out a small drop of glue. When it dries, it will serve as a beacon for the thickness of the glue seam.
- We apply silicone. Gently squeeze the silicone onto the glass and connect both glued surfaces. After the seam is seized (after about 20-30 minutes), proceed to the next seam. Then pass each seam sealant again, fix the structure with wooden spacers, ropes or tape and set aside until completely dry.
How long does the silicone dries for the aquarium?
The strength of glue joints directly depends on compliance with all the nuances of the technology, from the obligatory degreasing of the surfaces to the aging of the necessary time for polymerization. Silicone for the gluing of aquariums begins to harden after 20-30 minutes after application, but its complete hardening does not occur before 20-24 hours. After this time, the fixing screed from the aquarium can be removed, and the aquarium itself should be sent to the bathroom for test filling with water.