Myth or fact?

[Bajamike]

So as we look for used tanks several questions have crossed my mind. Along with those questions I have my own theories.

Question 1) Reptiles kept in an aquarium can put ammonia into the silicone.

Theory 1) I don’t think that the silicone is that porous to absorb the ammonia. If the silicone would be that porous why would water not affect it? As far as breaking it down and pushing out the silicone from the glass. So based on that, silicone is not porous could you just wash the pee out with bleach and water and remove the ammonia? I think that someone once used a tank without washing after a reptile and the ammonia stayed in the tank causing said problem.

Question 2) Chemicals used in a tank? Safe to use?

Theory 2) Just like theory 1 is the silicone that porous? Or can the chemicals used break down the silicone? Which could result in premature tank failure..? I think someone used rock or sand or something porous and again blamed the tank.

I know that all of these have been talked about many times but I don’t think on a focus point with clear decided answers.

Please if you have theories mark it as a theory.

 

[aztecdreams]

Myth or fact?

I've heard that copper can stay in the silicone. Also that if they kept the tank in extreme weather it will make the silicone brittle and more likely to fail

 

[Bajamike]

I've heard that copper can stay in the silicone.

This is what I have heard as well but I am wondering if this is fact. Has someone cleaned a known treated tank and had issues with it or is this just a "Myth".

Also that if they kept the tank in extreme weather it will make the silicone brittle and more likely to fail

I know that extreme heat and cold affect the integrity of the silicone, due to expanding and contracting. But does the chemical (copper) affect the silicone causing it to break down enough that it stays in the silicone.

 

[High Plains Reefer]

I do not know about copper but I used quick cure in a little 10g. In a emergency I had to put some fish in there so I filled it, without a good cleaning basically just rinced it out with ro threw a chunk of live rock in there. The fish a pipe and linear blenny have been in there a week in and everything is fine. I'll get some params for you today if you want

 

[Smiley]

ive used aquariums that have had copper in them... but... i removed the silicon and resealed them.... had no issues..matter in fact, im still using that same aquarium today as my sump.

 

[asn-naso]

I looked at a tank last night that has been a freshwater tank for 5 years. The owner used "softscrub" on the glass lids to clean them, then rinsed them with fresh water. I really liked the tank, but am concerned about chemicals that may have made it into the tank. Should I be?

 

[Catfish Charlie]

Mike with over 30 years being in the tropical fish (aquarium) business, I've seen the good, the bad and ugly with aquariums! I've had customers put fish back into tanks that once housed reptiles with and with out success. Some always had traces of ammonia and some none at all. I do know that plastic containers will absorb chemicals! My best advise would be to always cut out the old silicone and re-seal it, it's NOT that hard to do! I do know that malachite green will absorb into silicone and stay, hence blue silicone! A side note that I don't know how true this is, but I once had an owner of a glass company tell me (about 20 years ago) that glass can also absorb some chemicals if exposed to it long enough. I do know that I've had customers bring in water samples in "old glass containers with plastic lids" that always had traces of ammonia in their water. Than bring in the same water sample in a plastic "baggy" with NO traces of ammonia! Is this a coincident, I think not, but was the plastic lid or the glass harboring the "toxin"? That's why I always suggest that customers bring in water samples in new plastic baggy's!
As to weather, I've found that tanks left outside, the silicone will come loose (still pliable) from the glass. So simple remove "old" silicone, clean and re-seal.

 

[jda123]

One of my 240s has blue silicone from Meth Blue from years ago in a previous life as a freshwater tank. The fact that the silicone is still blue (well, kinda blue green), indicates that they can absorb chemicals. Currently, it is a mixed reef and all softies, SPS, shrimp, snails, etc. have been doing fine since I got the tank.