How to use aquarium sealant: step by step instructions. How long does an aquarium sealant dry?

Fans of aquarium fish and owners of pet stores probably know that to seal and assemble aquariums, you need a special tool called sealant. On sale today in a huge range, you can find such mixtures that have different composition and unique properties. If we are talking about acid silicone sealant, then it can be used not only for aquariums, but also for the finishing of showers, showcases and gluing of glass structures. It is noteworthy that after solidification 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 by the fact that it does not spread after application and does not slip on the seam, this makes its use more convenient. The sealant has a high gluing ability, excellent adhesion to:

• Ceramics;
• Enamel;
• Fiberglass;
• Tiles and many other materials.

It quickly hardens, which allows the use of glued structures immediately after the completion of this stage.

Drying time and specifications of the sealant Penosil

If you need aquarium sealant, then you can buy one of its varieties - Penosil, which is suitable for both internal and external works. This composition can be used when sealing joints that will undergo mechanical influence during operation. In the food industry, this mixture is used to seal the shells.

If we consider the technical characteristics, it can be noted that this sealant can be used at temperatures ranging from +5 to + 40 ° C, but it can be used for a wider range, which is limited to a limit of -40 to +100 ° C. Quite often, consumers ask the question about how much the aquarium sealant dries, if you have purchased the described brand, then the hardening will occur in 15 minutes. You should consider the maximum possible size of aquariums that can be glued together with this mixture, they are 2000x600x600 mm. The maximum stretching is 250%. The seam will retain mobility, this parameter is limited to 25%.

Reviews about the sealant of the brand Penosil

Sealant silicone aquarium Penosil, reviews of which only the most positive, specially designed for sealing elements when assembling glass structures. According to users, this composition is able to withstand even the highest mechanical loads, and consumers choose it also because the manufacturer sets a fairly low price for it.

Additional advantages

The applied layer has no color, which attracts fans of aquarium fish, because glass structures are often also transparent. The volume of tuba is not so large, and is 0.3 liters, which is very convenient when there is a need to purchase material in small quantities.

Step-by-step instruction on the use of the sealant "Olympus"

Aquarium sealant brand "Olympus" should be used by a certain technique. This compound 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;
• porcelain;
• glaze;
• Painted surfaces;
• Polycarbonate;
• Polyacrylate;
• Lacquered 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 shows resistance to ultraviolet and weathering, as well as household detergents and solvents. After hardening, the sealant can be used at a temperature range that varies from -40 to +100 ° C.

Before using the aquarium sealant, the surface must be prepared, for this purpose 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 the composition is not recommended.

Application is carried out with the help of an applicator gun, from which it is necessary to cut off the tip of the threaded part. The master should tightly screw the tip. The tip is cut at an angle of 45 ° to the width that the filled seam has.

Recommendations for work

The aquarium silicone sealant in the cartridge is inserted into the gun, only afterwards it is possible to uniformly fill the seams, leveling them with a wet spatula. The drying time for tile is 15 minutes, which is true if the room is maintained at a temperature of 20 ° C. Relative humidity is also important, it is 65%. Full polymerization should be expected after 24 hours.

Recommendations for the use of the sealant "Moment"

Aquarium sealant "Moment" is very popular among consumers. For a tube you have to pay 203 rubles. This one-component silicone compound has a high adhesion to glass, metal and most types of wood. It is not recommended to use this mixture on porous surfaces, as for 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 in confined spaces mixture, because for its hardening, you need atmospheric moisture. Because of the liberation of acetic acid during the solidification stage, a sensitive metal like copper lead and brass, as well as silver mirrors, can be destroyed.

Conclusion

If you need aquarium sealant, then as an alternative you can consider Silirub AQ, which can be black or transparent. It is highly elastic and based on silicone. Among the distinguishing features - resistance to ultraviolet radiation, as well as retaining elasticity after solidification. Surface film after the application is formed after 7 minutes, and the time for full hardening should be expected after 24 hours, which is true for a layer 1.5 mm thick. If you have applied a sealant with excess, then remove it immediately after application can be without much difficulty with a white spirit or rag soaked in soapy water.