Aquarium fish lovers and pet shop owners know that sealing and assembling aquariums requires a special product called sealant. On sale today in a huge assortment you can find such mixtures that have a different composition and unique properties. If we are talking about acid silicone sealant, then it can be used not only for aquariums, but also for finishing showers, shop windows and for gluing glass structures. It is noteworthy that after hardening, this mixture is not capable of harming living organisms, and it can be used even on those surfaces that will come into contact with food and drinking water during operation.
Aquarium sealant is characterized by the fact that it does not spread after application and does not slip along the seam, this makes its usemore convenient. Sealant has high bonding ability, excellent adhesion to:
- ceramics;
- enamels;
- fiberglass;
- tiles and many other materials.
It hardens quickly, which allows the use of bonded structures immediately after this stage is completed.
Drying time and specifications of Penosil sealant
If you need an aquarium sealant, then you can purchase one of its varieties - Penosil, which is suitable for both internal and external work. This composition can be used when sealing joints that will undergo mechanical stress during operation. In the food industry, this mixture is used to seal shells.
If we consider the technical characteristics, it can be noted that this sealant can be used at temperatures ranging from +5 to +40 ° C, but it can be operated at a wider range, which is limited by the limit from -40 to + 100°C. Quite often, consumers ask themselves how long the aquarium sealant dries, if you purchased the described brand, then hardening will occur in 15 minutes. You must take into account the maximum possible dimensions of aquariums that can be glued with this mixture, they are 2000x600x600 mm. The maximum stretch is 250%. The seam will remain mobile, this parameter is limited to 25%.
Reviews about Penosil brand sealant
Penosil aquarium silicone sealant, reviews of which are only the most positive, is specially designed to seal elements when assembling glass structures. According to users, this composition is able to withstand even the highest mechanical loads, and consumers also choose it for the reason that the manufacturer sets a fairly low price for it.
Additional benefits
The applied layer has no color, which attracts lovers of aquarium fish, because glass structures are often also transparent. The volume of the tube is not so large, and is 0.3 liters, which is very convenient when there is a need to purchase material in a small amount.
Step-by-step instructions for using Olimp sealant
Olimp brand aquarium sealant must be used according to a certain method. This compound is a one-component silicone sealant, which is suitable not only for the repair, but also for the installation of freshwater and s altwater aquariums made entirely of glass. It can be used for sealing and fixing glass surfaces. Can be applied to:
- glass;
- porcelain;
- icing;
- painted surfaces;
- polycarbonate;
- polyacrylate;
- lacquered surfaces;
- aluminum;
- steel;
- ceramics;
- tile.
Material is waterproof and fullysafe for the he alth of the inhabitants of the aquarium. It can even be used for moving joints, among other things, it is resistant to ultraviolet and weathering, as well as household detergents and solvents. Once cured, the sealant can be used in a temperature range ranging from -40 to +100°C.
Before an aquarium sealant is used, the surface must be prepared, for this it is cleaned of dust and dirt, and then degreased with acetone. The cartridge should be kept at +20°C or higher for 12 hours before application. At temperatures below + 5 ° C, the use of the composition is not recommended.
Application is carried out using an applicator gun, from which the top of the threaded part should be cut off. The master should screw the tip tightly. The top is cut at a 45° angle to the width of the joint to be filled.
Recommendations for work
The aquarium silicone sealant in the cartridge is inserted into the gun, only after that it is possible to evenly fill the joints by leveling them with a wet spatula. The tack dry time is 15 minutes, which is correct if the room temperature is kept within 20°C. Relative humidity is also important, it is 65%. Full polymerization should be expected after a day.
Recommendations for using Moment sealant
Aquarium sealant"Moment" is very popular with consumers. You will have to pay 203 rubles for a tuba. This one part silicone compound has high adhesion to glass, metal and most types of wood. It is not recommended to use this mixture on porous surfaces such as marble, concrete or natural stone. The same applies to surfaces based on natural chloroprene rubber. Do not use sealant on building materials through which oil, solvent or plasticizer can seep. Do not use the mixture in confined spaces, as it requires atmospheric moisture to cure. Due to the release of acetic acid during the curing stage, sensitive metal such as copper, lead and brass, as well as silver mirrors, can be destroyed.
Conclusion
If you need an aquarium adhesive/sealant, you can consider Silirub AQ as an alternative solution, which is available in black or clear. It is highly elastic and based on silicone. Among the distinctive features - resistance to ultraviolet radiation, as well as the preservation of elasticity after hardening. The surface film after application is already formed after 7 minutes, and the time for complete curing should be expected after 24 hours, which is true for a layer with a thickness of 1.5 mm. If you applied the sealant with excess, then it will be possible to remove it immediately after application without much difficulty using white spirit or a rag soaked in soapy water.
