Hi everyone. After reading the glass vs acrylic post I'm thinking about building a tank somewhat like JohnPTC's tank (shh, don't tell my wife yet!). The few things I'll be doing differently are that it'll be outdoors, and that I'll be using glass. I've decided on glass since as a sign maker, I see how brittle acrylic gets in this hot, tropical sun. My question is, how well will the silicone hold up in direct sunlight, and should I use clear silicone or black?
Tank seams (silicone) & direct sunlight (outdoors)
- Thread starter mwdesign
- Start date
black silicone is much better than clear IMO.
I will never buy another tank with clear, only black.
it looks 10x better and stays looking new 10 years down the road, as it doesn't discolour from meds and doesn't show up the algae like clear silicone does.
that being said, from what I understand all silicone is degraded by sunlight.
one suggestion would be to build the tank, then frame it, protecting at least the outside seals from the sun.
the internal seals are safe as water filters out UV rays which I believe is what causes the degradation.
I will never buy another tank with clear, only black.
it looks 10x better and stays looking new 10 years down the road, as it doesn't discolour from meds and doesn't show up the algae like clear silicone does.
that being said, from what I understand all silicone is degraded by sunlight.
one suggestion would be to build the tank, then frame it, protecting at least the outside seals from the sun.
the internal seals are safe as water filters out UV rays which I believe is what causes the degradation.
12 Volt Man;4174504; said:
All very sound advice...
Black silicone will absorb more heat then clear. This will not make it 'degrade' any faster, but black silicone exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time may soften...