English 
Product advantages and characteristics of transparent silicone sheet in fish tank
I. Advantages of core products
1. Super sealing and waterproofing: Silicone material has high elasticity and excellent fit, which can closely fill the glass seams, pipe interfaces and other gaps of the fish tank, effectively prevent water leakage, and will not swell and dissolve in long-term contact with water, and the sealing performance is stable.
2. Non-toxic environmental protection and safety: It meets the special/food-grade safety standards for aquariums, does not contain heavy metals and volatile harmful substances, and is harmless in long-term contact with water bodies, ornamental fish and aquatic plants. It will not pollute water quality and ensures the ecological safety of aquatics.
3. Strong weather resistance and ageing resistance: UV resistance, high and low temperature resistance (usually -40℃~150℃), long-term exposure to water, humid environment or light, not easy to harden, brittle, crack, service life can reach 3-5 years, reducing the cost of frequent replacement.
4. Flexible and easy to operate: The material is soft and tough. It can be cut and bent at will according to the size of the fish tank gap. It can be adapted to round, square, shaped and other different shapes of fish tank interfaces. No complicated tools are required for installation, and novices can operate it easily.
II. Product features
1. High transparency without visual occlusion: the light transmittance can reach more than 90%. After fitting the glass of the fish tank, it is almost invisible. It does not block the viewing view, does not affect the observation of the scenery and fish activities in the tank, and maintains the overall aesthetics of the fish tank.
2. The surface is easy to clean and dirt-resistant: the surface is smooth and flat, and it is not easy to adhere to scale, algae, fish faeces and other dirt. It can be easily wiped clean with a wet cloth or sponge on a daily basis, reducing the cleaning and maintenance workload.
3. Customised adaptability: Products of different thicknesses (0.5mm-10mm) and sizes (such as coils, sheets) can be customised according to user needs to meet the sealing needs of various scenes such as small desktop fish tanks, large aquariums, and alien ecological tanks.
4. No glue residue is easy to replace: some backing glue models use removable backing glue, which will not leave stubborn glue stains on the glass surface of the fish tank when replaced, avoiding damage to the glass or affecting the secondary sealing, and it is convenient to replace without leaving any problems.
FAQ:
Frequently asked questions and answers about transparent silicone sheet in fish tank
I. The problem of sealing and waterproofing
1. Problem: After the silicone sheet is installed, the fish tank is still leaking, and there are water droplets seeping out of the gap.
Answer: The core reasons include: 1 The size of the silicone sheet does not match the gap of the tank (too narrow or too thin, insufficient compression); 2 The contact surface of the tank is not clean before installation (oil stains and dust affect the fitting); 3 The silicone sheet has small damage or splicing gaps. Solution: Replace the silicone sheet of the suitable size, wipe the contact surface with alcohol before installation, overlap 1-2mm at the joint and compact it, and apply a small amount of aquarium-specific silicone on the edge if necessary.
2. Problem: After long-term use, the silicone sheet and the glass fit will be degummed and warped, resulting in the failure of the seal.
Answer: It is mainly caused by the ageing of silicone or long-term uneven force. It is necessary to replace a new transparent silicone sheet for aquariums. When installing, make sure that the silicone sheet fits perfectly with the glass and there is no residual bubbles. If the fish tank has a large load capacity, you can choose a thickened silicone sheet with back glue to enhance the adhesion.
II. Transparency and ornamental issues
1. Problem: After using the silicone sheet for a period of time, it becomes cloudy and foggy, which affects the ornamental value of the fish tank.
Answer: Poor-quality silicone sheets are prone to ageing and degradation due to water immersion and ultraviolet irradiation, resulting in a decrease in transparency. It is necessary to replace the food-grade/aque-specific transparent silicone sheet (including anti-yellowing aid); avoid wiping with a hard brush during daily cleaning, and gently wipe the surface with a soft cloth dipped in water.
2. Problem: The transparency of the new silicone sheet is uneven, with a local haze or small bubbles.
Answer: It is a matter of product quality. High-quality transparent silicone sheets should be bubble-free, impurities-free and uniformly transparent. It is recommended to replace regular manufacturers' products, and observe the light when buying to ensure that there are no obvious defects.
III. Safety and adaptation issues
1. Problem: I am worried that the silicone sheet releases harmful substances, which will affect the survival of fish, shrimp and aquatic plants in the fish tank.
Answer: Aquarium-specific/food-grade transparent silicone sheets must be selected (FDA, SGS and other safety certifications are required). Such products are odourless, have no harmful volatile substances, and meet aquatic safety standards. Low-quality silicone sheets have a pungent smell and will release harmful substances. It is strictly forbidden to use them.
2. Problem: Ordinary straight silicone sheets cannot fit between the gaps of shaped fish tanks (such as round and curved).
Answer: Choose a highly flexible transparent silicone sheet that can be cut, and cut it one by one according to the shape of the fish tank; for parts with large arcs, the silicone sheet can be softened with warm water (about 40℃) and fitted. After cooling, it can be fixed to ensure that there is no gap.
IV. Ageing and life expectancy issues
1. Question: Silicone sheets are used in a fish tank with direct sunlight, and they quickly turn yellow and harden. How to extend their life?
Answer: Ordinary transparent silicone sheets have poor UV resistance, and it is necessary to replace the weather-resistant aquarium silicone sheets (add anti-UV additives); at the same time, add a sunshade to the fish tank to reduce the direct sunlight time; it is recommended to check once every 1-2 years, and replace it in time if there is yellowing or hardening.
2. Problem: The silicone sheet is soaked in water for a long time, swelling and deformation appear, and the thickness increases significantly.
Answer: Due to the selection of non-waterproof silicone sheets, the silicone sheets for aquariums need to have the performance of "water resistance and non-swelling". Immediately replace the special silicone sheet for aquariums. After soaking high-quality products, the volume change rate is ≤5%, and there will be no obvious swelling.
V. Installation and maintenance issues
1. Problem: Silicone sheets are easy to shift during installation, especially the slippery glass surface is not easy to fix.
Answer: Priority is given to choosing an aquatic transparent silicone sheet with backing glue, tear off the mould paper and paste it directly; the non-backing glue version can be applied to a small amount of aquatic silicone (thinly applied evenly) on the contact surface of the fish tank, and then the silicone sheet is pressed for 3-5 minutes, and then add water after curing for 24 hours.
2. Problem: Algae and water scale are attached to the surface of the silicone sheet, which is difficult to clean.
Answer: Use a soft sponge to dip a small amount of citric acid solution (diluted at 1:10) and gently wipe it, and then rinse it with water; prohibit strong corrosive detergents such as wire balls and oxalic acid, so as not to scratch the silicone sheet or destroy its structure.
VI. Selection questions
1. Question: How to choose the thickness and hardness of the transparent silicone sheet of the fish tank?
Answer: 1 Thickness: 1-2mm for small fish tank (≤50cm), 2-3mm for medium-sized fish tank (50-100cm), and 3-5mm for large fish tank (>100cm); 2 Hardness: 40-50 Shore A (soft, good fit), if used for The load-bearing support part of the fish tank can be selected from 50-60 Shore A (slightly higher hardness, anti-deformation).
2. Question: Which silicone sheet should I choose for the gap between the glass and metal frame of the fish tank?
Answer: Choose a transparent silicone sheet with cushioning performance, which takes into account sealing and shock absorption (to avoid friction damage between glass and metal); if the gap is wide, you can choose a foamed transparent silicone sheet, which has better filling properties and plays a role in heat insulation and sound insulation.
