Is Plumbers Silicone Grease safe for aquariums?

[Newman]

i have plecos who will kick up sand especially during squabbles and when they dive for cover. the bigger they grow the more sand they kick up. right now i recently removed two large adult BNs so all that is left are 3 juvenile BNs none more than 2" and six L260 juvies that are no more than 1.5" but as these fish will grow to adult size i'm sure more sand will get kicked up. i don't think it will work well...i love sand though and would not switch it out again.

 

[FishDad]

Canister filter then. I'm actually trading my FX5 today for some salt water stuff on craigslist. I wish I had known, I would have worked something out with you.

I used to have play sand, it looks nice but is way to fine. Even canister filters will eventually have problems. They're a little more resistant since the impeller is after the filtration.

 

[Newman]

yep i used to own a fluval canister two years ago i think but after 1 year of owning it it started to leak after some maintenances. i think the o ring had a bad seal but i did not know how to fix it so i just sold it to someone for cheap. i was really sick of having that canister leak all over the place >_<

how do you do canister maintenance without wearing out the O-ring and other seals? i felt like the seals weaken every time you open and close the filter?

 

[FishDad]

Well my only dealing with canisters was my fx5 which you could literally feel the quality in your hands. As far as the seals and gaskets, you just have to replace them from time to time. I would say after a year or two. You can easily order replacements from the manufacturer. Most major brands are really accommodating in those situations.

 

[Newman]

so i had to replace my gaskets after one year? did not know that. i wish i did. the problem was i did not know what was wrong with my filter and why it was leaking down the sides. i just guessed it was a bad O-ring seal.

 

[FishDad]

Or it could have been as simple as a piece of grit, like a piece substrate or décor was wedged in there preventing the gasket from sealing. I always just inspect them on every cleaning. Your looking for cracks and debris.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I've been lucky so far with my cheap Sunsun 302 canister, although I've only opened it up for a cleaning 2-3x so far. I did lube the seals with plumber's grease when it was new.

The huge, chunky BLowes "marble chip" substrate probably helps too. No sand floating around to tear up seals.

 

[FishDad]

The huge, chunky BLowes "marble chip" substrate probably helps too. No sand floating around to tear up seals.

At least its good for something!

 

[FreshyFresh]

It will make for a nice load of drainage fill if/when I ever have to break-down this 55g. My plants have filled out the tank and rooted so well, I hesitate to touch it for now..

 

[FishDad]

Oh man, that's actually exactly what I did with them. This past summer I waterproofed one side of my house and tossed in those marble chips with the #57 stone.

 

[Newman]

So I have been using the plumbers silicone grease for over a month now i think, and i have to say that I am keeping my AC70 filter. the grease does not make a difference after the first few applications like that guide suggests, but I was patient in doing filter maintenance twice a week until now and my filter runs nicely. the running water is now slightly louder than the hum of the filter which is good. it still can grind sometimes but rarely.

I recommend plumbers silicone grease and patience and your filters will run well.

 

[FishDad]

My problem is I have no patience for equipment that is failing to operate in the way that it is meant too. If I have to 'rig' a piece of equipment that should otherwise work then I won't waste my money or time. I march right back to the place of purchase. I applaud your ingenuity though... well done.

 

[Newman]

the thing is with these filters, I'd be marching back every single day because all of them will rattle lol. some super lucky people say theirs makes 0 noise...good for them.

I have no options right now. i cant afford a better filter so i have to work with what i have.

 

[FishDad]

I've never personally met those super lucky people, but heard a lot about them. Kind of like lottery winners.

 

[Newman]

yep .

 

[FreshyFresh]

Good to know!

The two AC30's I've been running for 5mo or so have luckily remained silent. My only issue I've occasionally had with them is the impellers "sticking" if the unit looses suction or is turned off for tank maintenance or water changes. Basically you plug it in and nothing happens. If you poke you finger down into the impeller, you can feel it vibrating, but not spinning. Give it a little goose and it's turbines to speed. Annoying none the less.

 

[Thyra]

I have 4 Aquon filters filters and I have had them runny for something like three years with no noise and no problems. I never hear of anyone on the forum using them, but I sure like them. Also as long as the water touches the chamber with the impeller, they never need priming even after a power failure, which isn't true with some of them.

 

[Newman]

Thyra, are your aqueons big filters? which sizes do you have. i want to know because it sounds like the bigger AC filters make noise, smaller ones make less noise.

And yeah Fresh, i get that sometimes on my AC filter.

 

[Thyra]

I believe they are Aquons quiet flow 30 - they take the large filter.

 

[Newman]

I'd want to run one aqueon 55 on my 40 galllon.
but my AC70 is fine for now.
i'd also not use the cartridges since they break apart too soon. is there a way to just throw filter sponge in there and ceramic rings and ditch the cartridge?
thats what i did for my tetra whisper 20i filter that i have on the same tank. (I want to overfilter it for my plecos).