Aquarium Silicone

Recomended curing time is 24 hours for silicone that I bought to repair my sump today. Since this is not in a Hi pressure area really at the water line. is it ok add water before that 24 hrs is up? How long should I give it, IYO?

 

I would wait 24hrs if it is 100% silicone.

 

+1 remember. When you're getting rid of silicone that isn't dry yet you use water... if it's not fully cured the water will actually have an adverse effect.

 

makes sense.. I've already moved my heaters to the DT for the night. just wanted to confirm. Thanks! +1 for your help

 

Yep I second the wait the full 24 hours. Sometimes you can get it wet before that time period is up, but it varies. 24 hours is the safe time. I had to line the outer box on my HOB overflow with silicone after it started dripping on me. It was just a corner dripping, but I took the time to silicone every joint (which is 2 joints since it's only a 3 piece box, front, back, and bottom/sides combined) for added protection/insurance. If you haven't done so already, I would do so. Same drying time, just a little longer to get it all on there. I think the extra assurance is worth it though.

 

You are using silicone on acrylic though. I don't want to be a pessimist here, but that is not a good idea, you may come home to a drained sump and very wet floor. Silicone does not bond to acrylics or plastics the way it does with glass. It will hold under light pressure, but you are 50/50 at best under the pressure of a large sump.

 

I would use JB weld and I would place the patch on the inside just like a tire!@!@!@

Seriously dont use Silicone...

Edit

Here is a link

http://jbweld.net/products/marine.php


Use that and you can go back to your normal state in about 4 hours. It is so much better than Silicone.

 

Thank you, someone finally agrees with me. I said the same thing in the ASAP forum. I suggested using Weld-On #4. It's just not worth the risk of the silicone coming loose and dumping 40G of water on the floor.