Not all GE II contains Bioseal. GE II for kitchen/bath does, but GE II for windows/doors does not (it will say on the container). Also GE II cures with ammonia, which will leach into your water for some time - not necessarily bad if you are cycling the tank, but I wouldn't add stock until it has stopped leeching. I have heard of a number of people using GE II successfully, however most people seem to recommend GE I. I believe both types now say 'not for use in aquariums' on the bottle - probably for liability.
GE Silicone II - opinions?
- Thread starter pjsmetana
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Not all GE II contains Bioseal. GE II for kitchen/bath does, but GE II for windows/doors does not (it will say on the container). Also GE II cures with ammonia, which will leach into your water for some time - not necessarily bad if you are cycling the tank, but I wouldn't add stock until it has stopped leeching. I have heard of a number of people using GE II successfully, however most people seem to recommend GE I. I believe both types now say 'not for use in aquariums' on the bottle - probably for liability.
I have used the GE 1 on several tanks with great results.
The GE 2 is mold/mildew resistant. It's been said those properties will kill fish.
The GE 2 is mold/mildew resistant. It's been said those properties will kill fish.
Be careful asking for and listening to opinions on something that is a factual topic... not all opinions are formulated on accurate input/information or made after thorough research...
GE I silicone adheres to glass better than GE II... compare the packaging for verification on that one...
There is a rumor which appears to be true, that All Glass used GE I Silicone to make their tanks and they repackaged it and sold it under their own label for an exaggerated price.
GE lists their silicone as "not safe for aquariums" to avoid liability, yet it is likely not every customer service representative is aware of that and the ones who are surely wouldn't admit it to a caller.
GE (and most if not all other brands) use an ammonia based additive in their kitchen and bath silicones. The 'bioseal' contained by GE II is NOT the same ammonia based additive.
GE I and GE II use different curing methods/agents. GE I releases harsher chemicals during curing which is why they developed GE II. But GE I is a superior product which is why both remain on the market. The curing method of GE II leaves the product somewhat mold/mildew resistent, which is why it is listed as "bioseal'.
100% silicone does not mean 100% silicone. It means there are no other pastes, glues, adhesives, etc contained. They are still allowed to add coloring agents, mold/mildew inhibitors, curing agents, etc, etc, etc and still list it as 100% silicone. If not how would they change the color?
There is at least one ingredient in GE II that has been proven to have adverse effects on the reproductive process in animals. It is commonly suspected that this ingredient is in such small quantities that the effect is null.
In conclusion, I suggest using GE I over GE II... but if you want/need colored silicone GE II can be used...
For the record, DAP Plus series is very comparable to GE II and DAP (non plus) is very coparable to GE I...
In my opinion, the high dollar aquarium silicone is a marketing ploy and the educated consumer should not be fooled into thinking they need to pay the extra money for it.
GE I silicone adheres to glass better than GE II... compare the packaging for verification on that one...
There is a rumor which appears to be true, that All Glass used GE I Silicone to make their tanks and they repackaged it and sold it under their own label for an exaggerated price.
GE lists their silicone as "not safe for aquariums" to avoid liability, yet it is likely not every customer service representative is aware of that and the ones who are surely wouldn't admit it to a caller.
GE (and most if not all other brands) use an ammonia based additive in their kitchen and bath silicones. The 'bioseal' contained by GE II is NOT the same ammonia based additive.
GE I and GE II use different curing methods/agents. GE I releases harsher chemicals during curing which is why they developed GE II. But GE I is a superior product which is why both remain on the market. The curing method of GE II leaves the product somewhat mold/mildew resistent, which is why it is listed as "bioseal'.
100% silicone does not mean 100% silicone. It means there are no other pastes, glues, adhesives, etc contained. They are still allowed to add coloring agents, mold/mildew inhibitors, curing agents, etc, etc, etc and still list it as 100% silicone. If not how would they change the color?
There is at least one ingredient in GE II that has been proven to have adverse effects on the reproductive process in animals. It is commonly suspected that this ingredient is in such small quantities that the effect is null.
In conclusion, I suggest using GE I over GE II... but if you want/need colored silicone GE II can be used...
For the record, DAP Plus series is very comparable to GE II and DAP (non plus) is very coparable to GE I...
In my opinion, the high dollar aquarium silicone is a marketing ploy and the educated consumer should not be fooled into thinking they need to pay the extra money for it.
+ 1 on GE 1. I used to be paranoid with anything but so called AQUARIUM SEALANT but GE1 is 100% silicone & does not contain mildew protection (no additives). Not to down the aquarium hobby vendors but some stuff is needed & some is just pure snake oil. Iam a true believer in you get what you pay for as far as certain equipment. Your livestock & tank will not the the difference in GE1 & A/S.
I think , purely opinion here, that the "not good for aquarium" label has to do with not being fda approved. If your tank was used to house lobster or fish for food at a restaurant the silicone would have to be fda approved and it would have to cost a lot more to get that label. Like I said, just my opinion of why it might not say its good for aquariums anymore.
We can probably kill this thread now... I decided not to use the GE II and used the GE I. Been up and running for over a week now. Solid. Looks good. 1 small tube of MARINELAND Aquarium Sealant, and 1 big calk-gun sized tube of GE Silicon I resealed the entire tank, plus the sump (that I didn't use), all the sump piping (that I didn't use) and all the caps that I used to fill the holes (because I removed the sump). 150g 3/4" glass tank.
BadOleRoss;4109925; said:
So, my big question is, can i buy it in the UK? and, because my tank has been epoxy resined, over ply, will it bond to epoxy? thanks for the info, an interesting read this one.
i have used both and they work out fine.....I used the GE II and the marineland stuff. most of my fish are wild caught, so a loss to me doesnt really cost $$$, but on the same note i have done superglue repairs to filter parts and epoxied things together, painted ornaments and all the stuff they say be carefull with and I have never lost fish. only once when I used some sand from the side of my yard and all the fish died.
okay so i used ge2 silicone on some veneer stones and made caves for my oscar tank. i added them in after curing for a day last night. this morning both my oscars were lethargic and at the bottom of the tank only moving when my hand got too close. none of them were eating. i didn't know ge2 wasn't safe. i did a 40% water change and removed the caves. what else can i do? please help!
