AllGlass didn't go out of business or discontinue anything, they just changed the product line name to "Aqueon". Same company, same employees. :)
Dawn
--- In AquaticLife@yahoogroups.com, "Ray" <sevenspringss@...> wrote:
>
> Al,
>
> Sorry to hear about your problem with sealing your tank. I know nothing about these "generic" brands of silicone sealant, but I've always stuck to GE Window & Door Sealant, which used to declare that it was aquarium safe but which lately does not state this only because of receiving claims by hobbyists who didn't use it properly. I've recommended this sealant many times, on here and on other Lists. When I contacted GE, they told me that this is still the same formula that was used by the All Glass Aquarium Company, Inc to manufacture all their tanks -- which goes back many decades. I don't believe the All-Glass Aquarium Co is still in business anymore, having discontinued manufacturing just recently, but I could be wrong.
>
> In any case, most all (if not all) silicone sealants include Methyltriacetoxysilane as their ingredient. Yeah, they all like to used these long fancy names to keep us confused. "Silane" is a hydride, a compound of silicon and hydrogen (SiH4, etc.) which as many of us know by now (if we've used this stuff) gives off quite an odor; essentially it's similar to a hydrocarbon An "Acetoxy(phenyl)" is the chemical function of the curing of the silicone sealant, which smells like strong vinegar -- but which can cause one's eyes to burn, due to this activated form of acetic acid -- the combination of fumes which can cause gagging if breathed. It's better used outdoors.
>
> Once allowed to completely cure, there is little if any acetic acid residue, although I always rinse out a sealed tank just to make sure. With larger tanks having a much greater combined length of sealed joints, I sometimes fill the tank and drain it after 24 hours just as a precaution even if it's not needed. The main point is that the sealant needs to be completely cured or some acetic acid activity may still be going on. Instructions many years ago told the user to allow up to 48 hours for curing, and that was also when it was stated to be safe for aquariums. Lately, and without the claim of being aquarium-safe, they state to allow 24 hours for curing which is not quite enough time for it to be used for fish -- even though when I've been in a rush, I have used an occasional tank after only 24 hours, but I rinsed it thoroughly several times. These sealant formulas which are used for the home aquariums and even by the large aquarium manufacturers are free of any arsenic additives that are used in other silicone sealants designed to prevent mold, and used in bathrooms (sinks, showers and tubs, etc.) and places where there's a lot of moisture. That's the thing one needs to watch out for -- the arsenic additives. As such, they (arsenic-free sealants) are aquarium safe when allowed to cure longer. It would not surprise me if the Dow Aquarium Sealants specifically marketed for this use may recommend allowing it to cure for 48 hours, although I don't use the product so I can't really know.
>
> I suspect that you may not have allowed the sealant to cure long enough before using. If your Home Hardware stated that their sealant was "aquarium safe," it most probably did not contain any mildew and mold eliminators (arsenic additives) -- unless it's designed for bathroom use -- and so probably was safe for aquariums unless their specific formula possibly contains a higher percentage of acetic acid to help speed up the curing time. There's a good chance that, now that you bought a replacement tank, that you may still be able to use this sealed tank after emptying, rinsing and refilling it. Just check you pH again before using it, but if it's tube's directions says that it can be used for bathrooms, it probably contains arsenic and this sealant would need to be removed and replaced.
>
> Ray
>
>
>
> --- In AquaticLife@yahoogroups.com, "Al Keep" <al_keep_fish@> wrote:
> >
> > Ya more; anyone remember that song from the old Hee Haw t.v. show?.... the song went "gloom, despair, and agony on me"... sorry if you'll be singing that the rest of the day now. :-)>>>
> > My little 10 gallon beside the bed; I set it all up perfectly; put a platy in; two days later... dead. I thought, "well it's cycling, and the poor dear may not have been the best stock. Well strike one.
> > Off I go to my not so l.f.s. In goes the next victim; and two hours later.... dead... two hours!
> > Hmmmm; "I'll test the things it shouldn't be", I think.
> > I get to the P.H. of my water that has always exited the tap perfectly neutral, and bingo, unbelievably acidic.
> > I was at a loss, scratching my head for a couple days, when I wonder if, no it couldn't be, but no, it says in big letters on the tube of silicone that I used, "Aquarium safe" So that couldn't be it, Home Hardware wouldn't lie to me would they?
> > So I get out my magnifying glass for the small print...
> > "contains methyltriacetoxy silane" ... on to the google I go...
> > As it turns out, when that stuff is in water, it releases acetic acid, and is toxic to fish. Thanks a lot Home Hardware; good luck to me getting any money back for expenses, or even getting them to admit they are full of it; a big chain like that.... and the tube only says "made for them."
> > So opinions please....
> > New tank.. $20... no biggie... its more the time and work... and the fish.
> > The gravel is new however, and is an hour and a half away to get more.
> > I'm thinking that I should be ok to just replace the tank, and rinse out the filter and gravel.
> > Sound reasonable?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Al.
> >
>
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