How to safely remove silicone tank sealant from stones

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labenator65000

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 15, 2012
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Midwest
OK so I botched up my first big DIY rockwork project (partially, at least), so I took part of it all apart to reuse the stones. I searched long and hard for just the right smooth, dark river rock, so I don't want to toss them and search from scratch again. Does anyone have any good tips for safely removing silicone tank sealant from rocks? Keep in mind that they will go into the tank and the stones are porous, so I don't want to use any chemicals that could kill my stock.


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Hello; Often the cured silicone will peel off of stone. If not one way to hide a stubborn spot is to dry a stone well then rub a layer of fresh silicone on the area to be covered. Then sprinke some of whatever substrate (while very dry) you plan to use onto the tacky silicone; sand , gravel and such. Use extra substrate, that way you can press the stuff into place gently by touching the top of the excess and not get it on your fingers. Let it sit long enough for the silicone to cure well and shake off the excess.
I think the picture in my avatar shows some glass panes in a setup coated with black gravel this way. I have also coated slate this way to soften a cut edge.
 
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