Anyone know what type of Silicone ADA style tanks use?

MGDMIRAGE said:
Title says it all.. anyone know what silicone ADA uses or similar tanks such as Greenleaf and Mr.Aqua?
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Don't know what type of silicone they use, but I know there are many types:
http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/80-3375-01.pdf

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/discover/economics-stronger-windows.aspx

However, as you can see from the above, they are only really suited for production manufacturing.

The best I have found is architectural grade.

I even know there is a stronger grade. I have seen it being used and it did look like it would be suitable for home use, it was in standard sized caulking tubes. I seen it used in a small electronic manufacturing plant for potting medical electronic devices. I just wasn't into building and repairing aquariums at that time.

For all my searching, I can not find this product about. I really don't even know if it would be suitable for aquariums. I do remember I picked up some scraps from their trimming of finished devices. It seemed about 2x as strong as any silicone I have used on tanks. Maybe someone will come across it or knows of it and will mention its' name.
 
Pick up some RTV 108 silicone.

From this thread:

All silicones are not created equal. AGA Aquarium silicone is similar to GE Silicone I "window and door", and is made by DOW. It also appears to be the same thing as Perfecto Aquarium silicone. These silicones are only appropriate for aquariums with large seams, something I have little experience with – I started my aquarium with AGA Aquarium silicone and kept popping seams. But then I switched to GE RTV108, which is apparently used by some commercial tank builders. With GE RTV108 you can make very small seams. I gather SCS1200 works very well too, but it is difficult to get your hands on in small volumes. Both of these have a much higher adhesion strength than commercial grade silicone like GE Silicone I or “aquarium” silicones, your typical stuff available to use at Big Al's or Home Depot. These commercial (not professional) silicone have so little adhesion strength the manufacturers don’t even list it in their performance specs.

Bottom line - commercial grade silicones can work with big seams, but professional grade silicones do work, and with small seams.
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jmhart said:
Pick up some RTV 108 silicone.

From this thread:
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The data sheet on any given product is a good way to rate that product and do comparisons against all others. Of particular interest to aquarium builders and even those doing repairs are:

a) Tensile strength.
b) Elongation.
c) Tear strength.
d) Shear strength.
e) Peel strength.

You emphasize the importance of peel strength, I agree, and especially like to see that rating as it applies to the products performance on glass.

These data sheets are not always easy to find.
 
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