can you silicone stuff underwater?

[fungia]

one of my power head suction cups always fall off after awhile. can i add a dab of silicone to the suction cups underwater? i have heard both yes and no.

 

[Anonymous]

They normally say to let silicone dry for a certain amount of time before using a tank you have repaired with it.

So I say no

 

[Anonymous]

Try it in a small jar with old tank water and old suction cup.

It should be fine. Be aware that lot of acetic acid will come off during curing process, and it can irrate your critters.

 

[Anonymous]

I am thinking no. Not for sure tho. What kind of PH is it? You could put in on a bracket instead.

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe the curing process need air to activate? Then it won't cure underwater. Again, the best way to test it is to use a small jar with old tank water. Only take a few hours and we will know the answer unless someone show me the chemical reaction for silicon glue curing... saw it before, but don't remember it.

 

[fungia]

it is a maxijet. i will try it in a jar and see if it works. i was told silicone doesnt need air to cure.

 

[moses13]

I have the same problem with mine. One idea I may try eventually is supergluing the mounting bracket to one side of a MagFloat.

 

[Entacmaea]

Hmmm... I've heard warnings against it as well. I would guess that the curing process does need air- judging by the fumes that come off drying silicon- personally, it gives me a headache. I wouldn't want whatever that is going into my tank, whether or not it could actually dry underwater... But then again reef gel superglue and the two part putty epoxy stuff smells like crap and is used underwater.

 

[eukaryote]

I doubt it will cure under water. In addition, some commercial silicones use other solvents besides acetic acid, and these solvents are much more toxic. If you do try silicone, make sure it is either for aquariums or is rated to be used in food preparation areas.

 

[DK]

I wouldn't use the silicone. Go for the super glue gel, that will work

 

[Len]

The gel will work, but my concern is if you can remove it easily/cleanly. Silicone is easily scraped off.

 

[ChrisRD]

Maybe you should forget the suction cups and just make a bracket or use tie-straps to secure it. Those are fairly common alternatives due to the lack of reliability with suction cups...

 

[cjsrch]

SUCKion cups SUCK very nice for a sand storm tho ( ph that falls off)

ever consider hooking the bracket system to a magfloat or somthing. not sure if the magnets will interfear with the powerhead or not

 

[Anonymous]

If you tie off the power cord to something it will keep the PH from falling when the suction cups give.

 

[DK]

Forget the glue on the glass then. glue the powerhead to a good magnet and keep the power cord taut............that should do it.