How do you make a nice clean silicon joint?

[Cardinal Tetra]

Tried to DIY my sump with acrylic partitions. I used a transparent silicon and a phone card but its still very messy despite wiping off those excess silicon stains. How do you silicon experts make such a nice joint like the ones in the main tank? Machine done or human hands?

[Marineman]

Tried to DIY my sump with acrylic partitions. I used a transparent silicon and a phone card but its still very messy despite wiping off those excess silicon stains. How do you silicon experts make such a nice joint like the ones in the main tank? Machine done or human hands?

From what I had observed, you got to silicon on 3 sides, first is the direct contact side, then the inner and outer sides. To smoothen the silicon, you can either use your finger to run through it or you bend a piece of thick paper (like the thickness of the greeting cards/name cards) and run through the joints, then use a blade to trim the sides. Looks easy but needs practice though.

[LaW]

if u didnt want the silicon to stick onto ur hand or making the job look rough.

applied some soap onto ur fingers(shampoo, bathing soap) then slowly rub thru the silicon.

it helps. learnt it during my attachment in a customize plastic company.

[ervine]

if u didnt want the silicon to stick onto ur hand or making the job look rough.

applied some soap onto ur fingers(shampoo, bathing soap) then slowly rub thru the silicon.

it helps. learnt it during my attachment in a customize plastic company.

Good tip!! I hate having silicon on my fingers.. so hard to get out

[Cardinal Tetra]

if u didnt want the silicon to stick onto ur hand or making the job look rough.

applied some soap onto ur fingers(shampoo, bathing soap) then slowly rub thru the silicon.

it helps. learnt it during my attachment in a customize plastic company.

Isnt soap poisonous to fishes?!

[LaW]

of course u need to clean it after it dried.

use water. easy easy.

hope my info helps u further.