Gone are the days when only bulky frame structures were available to aquarists, which did not differ in a particularly attractive appearance. Today, "on horseback" are frameless varieties.
That is why the main problem now is sealant for the aquarium: it should not only provide sufficiently high strength characteristics of the "reservoir", but also be completely safe for its inhabitants.
Fortunately, the modern construction industry presents the widest range of this type of product, so that problems can only arise with its choice.
However, one also has to face the fact that sealant for an aquarium with the marking of a reputable company turns out to be a banal fake. Do not rely on the cheapness of high-quality varieties: if you are flattered by the discount, you can flood the neighbors. We will try to give the most basic characteristics that you need to focus on when choosing.
Any sealant for an aquarium can be one-and two-component. As you might guess, in the first case, it can be immediately used for construction or repair. In another situation, you have to mix reagents.
Having dealt with the components, you need to learn about the main varieties.
Recently, there are a lot of
acrylic sealants on the markets, which you should not use for aquariums. The fact is that their ductility is low, and therefore it is better to use them to seal the outer joints of the terrarium.
Note that some inexperienced fish breeders use a polyurethane sealant for the aquarium, which also does not need to be done. It is good in itself, but many varieties have dangerous components that can harm the sensitive flora and fauna of a home reservoir.
What then to choose? In fact, everything is not so bad: the same silicone sealant for the Aquarium “Moment” is perfect for these purposes. It is plastic, can retain its working properties for a long time in conditions of elevated temperature and humidity, and is completely safe.
How to protect yourself from fakes?
We have already said that you can stumble on a fake. To prevent this from happening, look carefully at the packaging: using our wonderful legislation, “honest thieves” use one vile technique.
So, normal silicone sealants retain all their working properties at temperatures from +70 to -70 degrees Celsius (generalized). If the package says that this limit is in the range from -5 to +37 degrees, it is better not to take such products.
When choosing adhesive sealant for an aquarium, do not forget about the shelf life. Even a quality product loses much in properties when several days remain before the expiration date.
Note! Only transparent sealants (or with some slight deviations) are suitable for aquarium purposes. If the color of the product in the tube is black, red or some other, do not believe the seller’s assurances that this glue is harmless. Color is a dye, and how it affects the health of plants and fish, you will only know “de facto”. Do not take chances!