Cleaning Silicone with toothbrush?

[abw0004]

Good afternoon all,

A few months ago I noticed gunk would form on the silicone down the corners of my tank as well as right underneath it. I assume it is pushed under there from the glass cleaning magnet I use. I use a toothbrush to clean the surface, as well as remove what got under the silicone. Is this safe to do, or does it weaken the silicone and eventually cause leaks? I am a clean freak and always want my tank to look show-ready during my weekly water changes/tank cleaning. Thanks!

 

[megi-lin]

I don't think a toothbrush will do any harm. You should be fine.

 

[abw0004]

My only worry is the bristles poking under the silicone (between the glass and where the silicone ends), and going a little deeper each time that could cause a leak. I obviously would not want that to happen.

 

[megi-lin]

It's pretty well stuck on the glass. So I don't think it will. Maybe get a scrubbie made from Red Heart scrubby yarn. Takes all sorts of tank gunk off.

 

[Potluck]

Algae will actually grow into the silicone and under it I'm actually upgrading my tank from a 55 to a 75 Because of this, I will then re silicone my 55 for a bigger tank for my convicts

 

[megi-lin]

Oh okay. I didn't know that.

 

[abw0004]

Algae will actually grow into the silicone and under it I'm actually upgrading my tank from a 55 to a 75 Because of this, I will then re silicone my 55 for a bigger tank for my convicts

Do you clean your silicone like I do then do get rid of the algae?

 

[The camaro show]

Yes it works great!

 

[Potluck]

Lights should only be on 8-10 hours, most fish only need 8 hours of light, just like planted tanks, so 8 on 16 off or 10 /14, if the tank is in front of a window maybe black out the window.

 

[Potluck]

Do you clean your silicone like I do then do get rid of the algae?

I use a hand scrub pad and lightly to over it, im not worried about a little algae on the silicone I'd rather not mess with the silicone to badly I just go over it lightly.