Best Aquarium safe Silicone 2023 & Buyers Guide

There are many types of adhesives we use in everyday life, but for our aquarium, it’s better to get something that is specialized for it and also, more importantly, safe for our pet fish. One thing you should consider is Silicones, or more popular as Silicone Sealant. Not only that it is effectively safe for the fish, but it is also cost-effective as it is very flexible and can last up to a year or so without even trying to reapply it. Good deal, right? However, we should know how to use it and the best silicone we could purchase. Let’s dive into it, shall we?

	Cheap & Good	Our Favorite	Customers Choice
Product	ASI Clear Aquarium Sealant	Aqueon Silicone Sealant	Aquascape Black Silicone Sealant
Size	10.20 ounces	3 ounces	10.1 ounces
Material	100% Non-toxic silicone	100% Non-toxic silicone	100% Non-toxic silicone
Color	clear	clear	clear or black
Our Rating	4/5	4.5/5	4/5
	View on Amazon	View on Amazon	View on Amazon

What is Aquarium Safe Silicone and how does it work?

Setting up an aquarium can be quite costly. I mean, picking the kind of fish is expensive and we also need decorations, such as rocks and corals, to water tanks and pumps. All these are essential, but there is one thing we can all agree on, the most important thing in setting up an aquarium is the silicone sealant.

Silicone sealant is a type of adhesive used for glass. Normally, its primary use is to seal water leaks, which are either minor or major. Aside from being used as adhesive, you can trust that it’s safe and non-toxic for your aquarium inhabitants.

As we all know, silicone is a colorless and rubber-like substance and is widely used in various industries such as medical, electronics, cookware, and construction, to name a few. The type of silicone used for construction is mostly rubber as it is known to be tough, waterproof, and very versatile as it can be used at anything and anywhere.

This type of sealant is not only for aquarium maintenance purposes. Its versatility is very excellent as it can endure high temperatures, and it is known to be one of the few adhesives that cling to the glass. Hence, the aquarium.

It works to seal a water leak and binds together glass parts for your fish tank. Sounds good, right? Imagine you can do it yourself but keep in mind that this type of silicone isn’t like a glue that immediately puts things together when it’s dry. There is a method called curing in which the silicone needs at least a week to get cured.

While it is still “curing”, you can observe that its texture is wet to touch, and the fragrance is close to vinegar or salted chips. Be mindful of putting the sealant underwater as it needs to be air-dried entirely to maximize its function fully. Besides, if you need to put a sealant inside your fish tank, you must first drain it.

Beforehand, make sure to read the instructions and directions on how to apply the silicone sealant properly. Some types are not compatible with the water used or even with the aquarium itself. Though the application is normally the same to all brands, make sure to follow these directions before applying the product:

1. If you already have your fish and other inhabitants in the tank, rehome them first and drain the aquarium. Make sure to dry it.
2. Once dry, make sure to clean it. Remove dust particles to be able to maximize the use of the product completely and to bond the glass together effectively.
3. If there is an old sealant, take it off using a razor blade or other object that can help get rid of the old sealant.
4. Prep the area to be sealed. Again, make sure that the whole thing is completely dry because the sealant will not stick or come together when the area is wet. You can use sandpaper to smooth out the area to ensure a strong hold when the sealant is applied.
5. Once ready, apply the sealant with the applicator for better application. Use fingers to even out the sealant on the area and to remove excess product.
6. Lastly, once everything is done. Make sure to air dry. The curing process will take place once all is set. It takes around a minimum of 7 days or a week for it to be completely dry.

Why should I use an Aquarium Safe Silicone?

Need I say more? Aside from the things we tackled, the benefits of this product are not just for the good of having an aesthetically pleasing fish tank but also for the benefit of the aquatic plants and inhabitants present in the aquarium.

Here’s a list of some of the advantages of using an Aquarium Safe Silicone.

And the list goes on. You are surely safe when you use this, but remember to read on the label and ingredient information to verify if it is an authentic Aquarium Safe Silicone. Also, note that this is best to use in a glass aquarium and not on acrylic types. There are different types to choose from, and we can further talk about it and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using them.

The Best Aquarium Safe Silicone in 2023

Here’s the part where we talk about the best options you can choose from. Again, I assure you that all these are safe, durable, and very easy to use. We can further discuss the pros and cons of the different products in this section.

1st Aqueon Silicone Sealant

2nd ASI Clear Aquarium Sealant

3rd Aquascape Black Silicone Sealant

4th Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant

5th DAP All-Purpose Silicone Adhesive

6th Marineland Silicone Squeeze Tube

How do I choose the best Aquarium Safe Silicone?

In choosing the suitable aquarium silicone, you must know first the importance of each Silicone. If you are going to select the wrong aquarium silicone, it will be a disaster that can cause your fishes to die instantly and the other aquatic life you have put inside your aquarium. But the worst thing you must put in mind is that even the Silicone with a mark that says it is a safe aquarium silicone can still harm the fishes and aquatic life you have, mainly if you use it in the wrong way.

It is a reality to every fishkeeper that discovers these problems already too late. No matter how hard fishkeepers avoid any fatalities for their fishes, even the best-case scenario can still be a nightmare for every fishkeeper: for instance, you will recycle your tanks. You will re-home the fishes you have up until your aquarium’s pH level will rebalance, and there will be no risk of toxicity for your fishes.

We all know that silicone sealants are a type of adhesive that acts as an elasticated gel stable. It is applied to be a gelatinous paste, but it becomes a hardened sealant if you leave it for too long. Below are some of the factors you should consider in buying the best Aquarium silicone.

Aquatic Suitability

There are many conflicting accounts and misinformation now in tons of social media platforms, making fishkeepers have a hard time picking the suitable aquarium silicone. Don’t be surprised if fishkeepers are very cautious when it comes to silicones because choosing the wrong product can cause harm to their fishes.

It can also destroy the setup of their aquariums that they might have been decorating for many years. The first decision you should make upon picking the right Silicone is suitable for your aquariums.

Size

Silicone for your aquariums is sold in different sizes; the smallest one is 1 oz, and this can go all the way up to 12oz. If you have a massive aquarium or are planning on upgrading into a much bigger tank, you should buy the more significant Silicone, and you can also buy a caulk gun.

Color

There are two choices you can have in choosing the suitable Silicone for your aquarium. You can select either the black-colored Silicone or the clear or transparent one. Bear in mind that You cannot paint Silicone if you are planning.

So you should choose the color that best fits your aquarium. The clear-colored Silicone might discolor over time, and it can be a shade of yellow. It is natural.

Adhesion

The silicone tensile strength means the amount of pressure the Silicone can handle without it being compromised. A larger tank might require an excellent tensile strength; some of the Silicone sold on the market will advise every buyer of the Silicone’s specific gallon capacity.

Ease of Application

Some of the Silicone is sold in the market inside cartridge-style tubes. This means you will have to use your caulking gun in applying it. But there are also squeeze smaller tubes. Each Silicone also comes with a different texture and viscosity. Most of the Silicone sold in the market is known to be friendly for every beginner.

Cure Time

Unlike the glue we use in school, the Silicone will take a lot of time to set correctly. It can take hours or even take weeks, but it will depend on the product and the quantity of Silicone you have used. But once the Silicone is cured, it will adhere very well.

What are the differences between regular and aquarium-safe Silicone?

It is believed that the actual difference between a regular and aquarium-safe silicone is the acid that it generates while it is curing. The Aquarium silicone utilizes an acetic acid while fixing some of the other Silicone and uses different healing methods. Here are the explanations if you are asking if you can use regular Silicone in your fish tanks.

Any 100% silicone that doesn’t have any mildew or mold is acceptable to be used in your tanks. Other local stores usually sell DAP brands, and they usually only have one brand that says that it is aquarium safe. Always make sure that you are buying Silicone that doesn’t contain any mold inhibitor. Besides, if you ask if the GE all-purpose 100 silicone is safe for your aquarium, the answer is yes. The GE silicone contains antibacterial compounds to prevent bacterias from growing into your aquariums.

Suppose you are also asking if what type of Silicone is safe for your tanks. The Aqueon silicone sealant is the safest Silicone you can use for your aquariums. It is 100% nontoxic. This Silicone is also easy to apply to your aquariums. It also creates a high-strength seal that prevents leaks, and this Silicone is also permanent. Over time, this Silicone Won’t shrink or even crack, and because the Silicone is non-toxic, this means it is 100% safe for your fishes.

How should I use Aquarium-safe Silicone?

If you have an aquarium that is leaking, don’t worry too much. It is not the end of your hobbit as an aquatic wanderer. Resealing the leaky tank you have near you is very simple; you only have to find a silicone that is aquarium safe for you to ensure every fish’s safety in your tank. This section will give you simple guides for you to apply aquarium-safe Silicone into your leaky tanks.

Having a tank that leaks is not a problem that a fishkeeper should ignore. If you left this problem unattended, it might grow into a more significant leak until your whole aquarium. It is shattered into pieces, and it will cause damage not only to your fishes and tank but also to the place you have put your aquarium. When you plan to reseal your tanks, it is essential to put in mind that you should only use Silicone that is not harmful. All aquarium-safe Silicone has a specific formula that is different from regular silicones. Before you start repairing your tanks, we recommend that every fish keepers check all the seams to be sure.

Aquarium safe silicone sealants

Steps on how to use the Aquarium Safe Silicone

1. First, you have to remove the water in your tank up to a point below the line where you will repair it. It is also recommended for you to remove your fishes and completely drain your tanks. It would be best if you also clean your tanks.
2. You should remove the old sealants. You can remove them using a razor or any sensitive material. If you still have fishes inside the tank, you should avoid dropping silicone residue in your water. It would be best not to pull the silicone bead away, not unless you will replace the whole seam.
3. Clean the joints for you to remove the old residue that is stubborn into your glasses. You should use the mineral spirits to remove all the residue altogether.
4. If you start inside your aquariums, you must apply your silicone beads in the seam along the joints. Take care in using the Silicone to close any gaps.
5. Repeat the same application on the outer part of your aquarium to ensure no gaps in your Silicone.
6. Wait for its cure time before you put water into your aquarium.
7. You should fill your tanks surely and slowly and make sure that your seam is all secured.

These are the simple steps you will need in using your Aquarium Safe Silicone. You might need little to no assistance in applying this Silicone. Make sure that the Silicone you are using is safe for your fishes and secured in your tanks. To avoid more problems after applying it into your aquariums.

How can I remove Aquarium-safe Silicone?

We all know that Aquarium safe silicone is solid and very hard to remove if it is already cured into your aquariums. The silicones are known for their durabilities, for they can withstand years of abuse and continue holding on to the glasses of your aquariums. But if you have the choice to remove this Aquarium-safe Silicone, there are simple steps you can follow upon removing the Silicone.

1. You should empty your tanks and let them dry first.
2. Set your dryers into a higher heat and use your dryer to warm the Silicone you want to remove. It will help you soften the Silicone. It would be best if you did not heat the sealant until it melts.
3. Using any razor blade, you can scrape the Silicone gently from your aquarium.
4. It would be best to get a rough sponge, and you can use it to scrape off the remaining fragments in your aquarium.