Fans of aquarium fish and owners of pet stores probably know that a special tool called a sealant is needed to seal and assemble aquariums. On sale today in a huge assortment you can find such mixtures that have a different composition and unique properties. If we are talking about acidic silicone sealant, then it can be used not only for aquariums, but also for decorating showers, showcases and for gluing glass structures. It is noteworthy that after hardening, this mixture is not capable of harming living organisms, and it can be used even on those surfaces that will be in contact with food and drinking water during operation.
Aquarium sealant is characterized in that it does not spread after application and does not slip along the seam, this makes its use more convenient. The sealant has a high bonding ability, excellent adhesion to:
- ceramics;
- Enamel
- fiberglass;
- tiles and many other materials.
It quickly hardens, which allows the use of bonded structures immediately after the completion of this stage.
Drying time and specifications of Penosil sealant
If you need aquarium sealant, then you can purchase one of its varieties - Penosil, which is suitable for both internal and external works. You can use this composition when sealing joints, which during operation will undergo mechanical stress. In the food industry, this mixture is used to seal shells.
If we consider the technical characteristics, it can be noted that this sealant can be used at temperatures ranging from +5 to + 40 ° , but it can be operated at a wider range, which is limited by a limit from -40 to + 100 ° . Quite often, consumers are wondering how much the aquarium sealant dries, if you purchased the brand described, then hardening will occur in 15 minutes. You must take into account the maximum possible sizes of aquariums that can be glued with this mixture, they are 2000x600x600 mm. The maximum stretch is 250%. The seam will remain mobile, this parameter is limited to 25%.
Penosil sealant reviews
Aquarium silicone sealant Penosil, the reviews of which are only the most positive, is specially designed for sealing elements in the assembly of glass structures. According to users, this composition is able to withstand even the highest mechanical stresses, and consumers also choose it for the reason that the manufacturer sets a fairly low price for it.
Additional advantages
The applied layer has no color, which attracts aquarium fish lovers, because glass structures are often transparent too. The volume of the tube is not so large, and is 0.3 liters, which is very convenient when there is a need to purchase a small amount of material.
Step-by-step instructions for using Olympus sealant
Olympus brand aquarium sealant should be used according to a specific method. This composition is a one-component silicone sealant, which is suitable not only for repair, but also for the installation of freshwater and marine aquariums, completely made of glass. It can be used for sealing and fixing glass surfaces. Application can be carried out on:
- glass;
- china;
- glaze;
- painted surfaces;
- polycarbonate;
- polyacrylate;
- varnished surfaces;
- aluminum;
- steel;
- ceramics;
- tile.
The composition is waterproof and completely safe for the health of the inhabitants of the aquarium. It can be used even for movable joints, among other things, it exhibits resistance to ultraviolet and weathering, as well as household detergents and solvents. After solidification, the sealant can be used at a temperature range that varies from -40 to +100 ° C.
Before the aquarium sealant is used, the surface must be prepared, for this it is cleaned of dust and dirt, and then degreased with acetone. The cartridge should be kept at a temperature of + 20 ° C or higher for 12 hours before application. At temperatures below + 5 ° C, it is not recommended to use the composition.
Application is carried out using an applicator gun, from which the top of the threaded part should be cut. The master should tighten the tip tightly. The top is cut at an angle of 45 ° to such a width that has a fill seam.
Recommendations for work
Aquarium silicone sealant in the cartridge is inserted into the gun, only then can the joints be evenly filled, leveling them with a damp spatula. The drying time for the tack is 15 minutes, which is true if the room temperature is maintained within 20 ° C. Relative humidity is also important, it is 65%. Full polymerization should be expected after a day.
Recommendations for the use of Moment sealant
Aquarium sealant "Moment" is very popular among consumers. You will have to pay 203 rubles for the tube. This one-component silicone compound has high adhesion to glass, metal and most types of wood. It is not recommended to use this mixture on porous surfaces with regard to marble, concrete or natural stone. The same applies to surfaces based on natural chloroprene rubber. It is forbidden to use sealant on building materials through which oil, solvent or plasticizer can leak. Do not use the mixture in confined spaces, since atmospheric moisture is needed to solidify it. Due to the release of acetic acid during the hardening phase, the sensitive metal, such as lead and brass copper, as well as silver mirrors can be destroyed.
Conclusion
If you need aquarium adhesive sealant, then as an alternative solution you can consider Silirub AQ, which can be black or transparent. It has high elasticity and is based on silicone. Among the distinguishing features - resistance to ultraviolet radiation, as well as maintaining elasticity after hardening. The surface film after application is formed after 7 minutes, and the time of complete hardening should be expected after 24 hours, which is true for a layer with a thickness of 1.5 mm. If you applied sealant with excess, then removing it immediately after application can be done without much difficulty using white spirit or rags soaked in soapy water.