Do Silicone Sealants Release Silicates into Water?

[Chrisk-K]

I wonder if aquarium-safe silicone sealants slowly release silicates. About a month ago I used a Marineland silicone sealant to glue a few rocks together. Since then, brown diatoms have appeared. As you probably know, they need excess silicates to survive. So, I wonder if the diatom bloom may have caused by the sealant. The tank in question is an acrylic tank: the tank itself doesn't have silicone stuff.

 

[bushwhacker]

not that i have ever known, silicone and silicates are two diff things

 

[jm1212]

the silicone that we think of does have silica in it (silicone dioxide) that can contribute to brown algae growth. that said, other factors come into play as well, such as lighting and water quality.

 

[DoctaQ]

also after a while all the silicates will get used up so i wouldnt worry about it

 

[Chrisk-K]

I do believe the diatom bloom has been caused by the sealant. I have 2 x 24W T5HO on the 40g and water parameters are good (ammo = 0, nitrite = 0, nitrate = 5, phosphate = 0, pH = 7.4).

 

[SubRosa]

Have you ever tested your source water for silicates?

 

[Rbishop]

and what quality is your glass?

 

[excuzzzeme]

High phosphates can cause a diatom outbreak. It can be coincidental to your use of silicone. I have used silicone many times without any diatom outbreaks.

 

[rocker92]

is this a new tank? even if it is an old tank, it may have some diatoms in it, i have several tanks that have been setup for over a year now, and they still have some diatoms in them.

nothing you can do but wait it out I guess.