DIY silver bath tank - Aquarium silicone sealant?

[-chrille-]

Just wonder if aquarium silicone sealant will be suitable for gluing a glass tank for use as a silver bath tank. Silicone used for aquarium do not contain any additives that can leach out in the silver nitrate bath but will silicone glue/sealant stand the silver nitrate solution without degrading over time?

 

[Don_ih]

I believe the silicone used for aquariums is the most inert and stable sealant you can buy. The most likely source of failure when using it would be where it adheres to the glass itself, so you'd need to be certain everything is as clean as can be. Also, silicone doesn't like to stick to itself, once it's skinned over, so only caulk these joints once and make sure the seal is as good as you can make it. Even if the silver solution does eventually break down the joint (which I truly doubt), there is no better option short of fusing the glass.

 

[koraks]

will silicone glue/sealant stand the silver nitrate solution without degrading over time?

I think many wet plate DIY'ers use it in this application. I'd not hesitate trying it out. I used perspex and a 2-component cyanoacrylate based glue for my silver bath and it seemed to do just fine, so can't comment on the silicone apart from seconding what @Don_ih says about it above.

I guess I'd like to point out "it's only silver nitrate". While this is nasty stuff if you get it in your eyes, and it evidently leaves very nasty/persistent stains, it's not ridiculously corrosive or aggressive.

 

[-chrille-]

Thanks! Then I will use aquarium silicone

 

[-chrille-]

Will a tank volume of 500ml be enough for 4x5 plates?

 

[koraks]

I've done 4x5 plates in a 125ml volume - so yes.

 

[-chrille-]

Great! Always appreciate your fast replies

 

[-chrille-]

Just an update. Too many other projects in the works so I bought a commercial available silver nitrate bath tank from Philippe at Lerouge-Camera. Superb quality

 

[koraks]

That looks beautifully made.