Thinset mortar

[Howard]

Are they generally safe for use in livestocked aquariums?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

for what? mortar is not hydraulic cement and will not set nor last longterm under water.

 

[Howard]

I was under the impression that you could get certain types of thinset for use underwater.

 

[DrPizza]

A better question is WHY would you want to use thinset under water (in an aquarium)?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Ya, forget how it sets. What about the chemistry.

 

[sdifox]

Pretty sure unsealed thinset is porous as hell. You got anything against silicon caulking?

 

[iGas]

Use pond liner and weight it down with stone/gravels if you wants to create a large/odd shape pond. Other wise use glass and silicone, or a large glaze pot or stoneware. Terracotta & concrete have been use to as a vessel to store water and live fish. Terracotta tend be be waxed or painted to retain water, concrete can be painted or leave raw, however concrete must be soak with filled water to leach & flush out contaminates that harms the fish.

 

[iGas]

Pretty sure unsealed thinset is porous as hell. You got anything against silicon caulking?

Some swimming pools are tiled and the adhesive is thinset.

'

 

[Howard]

A better question is WHY would you want to use thinset under water (in an aquarium)?

I need to attach some ceramic tiles together.

 

[OUCaptain]

I need to attach some ceramic tiles together.

I seriously wouldn't. Aside from the PH spike it would likely cause, you don't know what else will leach out. I'd recommend an aquarium safe epoxy.

Take your pick for different applications

What are you doing with the tiles?

 

[OUCaptain]

Silicone is also a good choice. Make sure you use "aquarium safe" or GE number 1. Any 100% pure without any kind of mold inhibitor will likely be fine.

Most reefers use the epoxy out of the water though. Not sure about submerged curing. I know it will cure, but does it leech anything is the question Silicone... definitely dry

 

[Howard]

I seriously wouldn't. Aside from the PH spike it would likely cause, you don't know what else will leach out. I'd recommend an aquarium safe epoxy.

Take your pick for different applications

What are you doing with the tiles?

They're to be assembled into a basking platform for my red ear sliders.

 

[OUCaptain]

They're to be assembled into a basking platform for my red ear sliders.

Since the tank is already stocked and full, I'd engineer a platform that can be assembled dry. Are you trying to stick it to the glass or support it by existing aquascapeing?

Edit: ah.. turtles. Probably less risky since they're not actually breathing the water but I still wouldn't temp it. Safe for fish, safe for turtles.

 

[Howard]

Some people say they get a film on the surface of the water... why?

 

[Howard]

Since the tank is already stocked and full, I'd engineer a platform that can be assembled dry. Are you trying to stick it to the glass or support it by existing aquascapeing?

Edit: ah.. turtles. Probably less risky since they're not actually breathing the water but I still wouldn't temp it. Safe for fish, safe for turtles.

It is going to be assembled dry. I never said the adhesive had to cure wet.

If I can't find an adhesive solution, I'll just do it mechanically. Won't look as nice, I guess.

 

[OUCaptain]

It is going to be assembled dry. I never said the adhesive had to cure wet.

If I can't find an adhesive solution, I'll just do it mechanically. Won't look as nice, I guess.

I would go with a silicone then. I used it to adhere glass panes in my 30g tank to make a sump. It worked great with proper support during dry time. The epoxy will work just as well and/but cure faster. If you want the rough gravely look of mortar, you can coat either with sand as they're curing.

I wouldn't touch any mortar though. Not worth the risk to your critters.

 

[Howard]

Well, I'll give it a shot. It's only a couple of dollars at stake anyway.

 

[OUCaptain]

Well, I'll give it a shot. It's only a couple of dollars at stake anyway.

Just to reiterate if you go the silicone route, GE Silicone I... NOT II. Or anything that says aquarium safe. Nice thing about GE silicone is you can get it in black in the number one version.

 

[Howard]

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=254404#254404

 

[sdifox]

Some swimming pools are tiled and the adhesive is thinset.

'

That is because the tiles are not there to hold the water in.

 

[Howard]

That is because the tiles are not there to hold the water in.

Perhaps, but then again in my application I don't need the mortar to be watertight.

 

[skyking]

If you assemble it outside the tank and rinse it well, soak it and rinse it again I doubt thinset will cause a problem. Just my .02

 

[ussfletcher]

Most masonry is not intended to be used underwater (it will fall apart over time, releasing crap into the water).. Hydraulic cement, or just a silicone adhesive is the safe(er) bet.

 

[lxskllr]

You can use a quicklok cement which can be used under wet conditions, but you have the unknown chemical problem, and it's a super PITA to work with. You have to mix very small batches, and you have about 1.5 minutes before it sets up, and becomes unusable.

 

[sdifox]

Perhaps, but then again in my application I don't need the mortar to be watertight.

I just pictured you using thinset to glue glass panels together to form a fish tank