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I made some more slate caves at the weekend, I had a couple of natural slate floor tiles left. I managed to squeeze 5 out of the 2 tiles.

I was wondering if anyone has used black silicone instead of the clear stuff to stick their caves together. Does anyone know where to get it from?

Thanks Barbie,

I shall have a look in some hardware stores, like you said I'll make sure it's 100% silicone with no additives.

I had some of that in my hadn today ansd was going to buy it but it says on the back it's not for aquariums;)
Maybe that was the SIlicone II...
Ah well. I don't suppose it matters a whole lot what color the silicone is though Barbie's idea that it lets in less light is a good one.
.

Ed,

the Silicone II and silicone I from GE are no good. I used to buy GE's 100% silcone clear when it came in a non-glossy tube. Since they change over to the silicone I with glossy tube, I've noticed that after curing and washing the silicone had a rubber smell to it. I tried using it on several caves but none of the plecos used them.

I now use the DAP 100% silicone and it's working much better. When it drys and washed there is no odor/smell, like the old GE silicone. GE must have changed there silicone over the years.

I buy my DAP at Elliots or any true value hardware stores.

Ken

Thanks Ken,. I think I;m jumping the gun but I guess you can never be ready too soon eh?

found this on ebay black or clear

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW

Hi All

You might want to check out this ladies site for pottery caves all sort of different sizes.

Certainly get away from the silicone argument.

http://www.rosenthalpottery.com/cavecatalog.html

Cheers

Andreas

Disclaimer - I have not used this ladies caves but have made my own in a similar style.

I found this one http://www.laichhoehlen-welshoehlen.de/
Might be of interest

Flemming

is the silicone safe to use as long as its 100% silicone??

the label does not state that its non toxic



barbie,

whats the brand of the black silicone that you use??
did you get it at home depot?

thanks

Wow - I am suprised at how small the caves are - My caves were obviously way too large all this time.

I use GE Silicone 2 for "gutter and flashing" all the time. It is a very strong adhesive, but I do let it cure at least 48 hours. The thicker the silicone bead the longer flash time it need to cure. In water it will take forever to cure and probably emit ammonia fumes while it is trying to.

2 part Epoxy is also a good choice for joining things.

Hi Lyretail,

I use standard aquarium silicone and is ok to use after it has dried/cured in the air for 24 to 48 hrs, prior to putting in the tank. I normally rinse them ( the caves) under the tap first.
I would not use 2 part epoxy in the tank.

Regards,
Des.

Epoxy resins are used in all sorts of aquariums - why not use it? It is really just "plastic" and inert once the resin has cured

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/46g_construct.htm

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/d ... arium3.php

http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/janne.html

Well I could not find 3mm slate in my local home supply stores today, but I did find slate flooring tile which was slightly less than 1 cm thick. I cut the slate top and bottom to compensate for side thickness with a wet saw and glued everything together with clear silicone. The seems are so tight I can not see the silicone.

After constructing caves and flash drying silicone with a heat gun, I distressed all the outer edges and made slate entry ways - trying to break the harshly sharp edges of sawed slate. I think this made them look much more natural.

I made 4 caves - 2 caves internal dimensions are 4 cm wide by 2.5 cm tall and two at 3.5cm wide and 2.5cm tall. All four are 11 cm long internally.