How To Make a Silicone Mold and Casting of a Bubble Tip Anemone For Custom Aquarium Decoration

[@pabrad1]

The release agent technique for preventing silicone rubber from sticking to the silicone mold is a great 'backyard' technique. I have used that concoction in my silicone mold making before and it has always worked nicely. Sometimes I will apply two coats to make sure the mold surface is thoroughly covered. I always rinse my castings under running cold water to clean off any remaining residue from the dish soap. Nice video Smooth-On folks! You always keep it simple which is what I need.

[@briacabz]

I know this comment is old but I completely agree! There's no need to spend 10 bucks on a can of mold release when most people have dish soap and rubbing alcohol at home.

[@AMVGODAmbrosius]

TIP: Cut the hot glue at the base of the bucket to remove the bucket without cutting it. Then use the bucket to hold the mold together instead of rubber bands.

[@smoothon]

@MsDatsaspicymeatball This is not required when you use a non-sulfur oil clay.

[@smoothon]

There are many ways to make this type of mold...this is but one configuration.

[@vgp8930]

do you guys have a video about having a Glass casting and turning it into silicone rubber? or could you guide me to the smooth-on pack I need to make a silicone rubber from a glass casting? thanks

[@smoothon]

You can use any of our silicone to mold a glass casting, but you must use a release agent such as Ease Release 200

[@vernusdraco]

You are a genius!!! Just a question , what is the exact purpose of the alcohol and soap?

[@smoothon]

+Yeny Miluska This works as a washable mold release.

[@armandojavier4196]

Is there a way to avoid using the vacuum chamber? Looking to use this technique for art class! The pieces I want to work on are a lot larger than the chambers I found online. Mostly looking to use the flexible rubber/silicone material for molding.

[@smoothon]

Great idea! We will look into it!

[@kornoliokorn]

The release agent also works with a rebound mold and dragon skin cast??????

[@BloodyKylie]

How did you make white tentacle tips? Were they painted after demolding?

[@nicolasevensen8447]

Would this technique work to make Plaster-of-Paris molds?

[@MuffinMan0521]

It seems like this kind of mold is way easier than dealing with a 2 or even 3 part mold that has keys. Is there a rule of thumb when you should use a multi part mold vs this one that you cut into? Is the one in the video preferred by default if you can get away with it?

[@smoothon]

There is really no rule of thumb, but if you have an upcoming project, our team can help you - www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/

[@bubblychaz1]

how much mould star 15 would I need to make this and what size is the ornament please. I want to have a go at doing it.

[@smoothon]

+Chaz Lander The mold is about 1/2 gallon of rubber, the piece is about 6 inches tall.

[@kharnakcrux2650]

LOVE the videos!!! very inspiring and empowering. Finally making this kind of craft available to everyone.

[@smoothon]

The materials described in this video are aquarium safe

[@bubblychaz1]

do you sell moulds to the UK?

[@smoothon]

+Chaz Lander Hi Chaz, the distributor of our mold materials in the UK is Bentley Advanced Materials - benam.co.uk

[@smoothon]

I recommend you submit a tech ticket on our website - we can talk you through the process!

[@536767676533766]

Can you please tell me how to give the product a colour. I want Bordeaux red for my product i wanne make with Smooth On. Thank you

[@smoothon]

You can use a blend of Silc Pig silicone pigments.

[@stephaniedelatorre481]

so about how much did it cost for everything

[@TifflenWolfyFox]

isn't there a easier way to do it? cuz i am doing a project but have the stuff for it

[@rdgk1se3019]

Does the mold release have to be applied every time a casting is made?

[@smoothon]

yes, it should be applied each time.

[@wreckingball8881]

Would this work with your Dragons Skin silicone?

[@smoothon]

Yes it would!

[@wreckingball8881]

Awesome! Sorry but one more question that honestly sounds kinda stupid, but what dish soap do you like to use? Is there any that might work better or not as well?

[@smoothon]

A dish soap without moisturizers or heavy scents would work best.

[@stephaniedelatorre481]

well thank you for your toturials they are so easy and fun to do one question can you make a video showing how to make starfish that look real please thanks

[@Triad3Force]

It looked easy enough until in involved getting a vacuum chamber hehe. However, I guess it would be worth investing in all the tools and materials if you were selling what you make with the molds. Or if you were making a lot of those for a big aquarium.

[@armandojavier4196]

@smooth-on is there a way to do this process without the vacuum chamber? looking to use this technique for art class but don’t want to invest in a vacuum chamber. Also the pieces I want to make would be much bigger than the average vacuum chamber sold online.

[@raymondkuhne7732]

I could not do this. Is there anyone that has some made that have been saltwater safe and willing to sell them ?If this is ok to ask?

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching Raymond Kuhne. We do not provide moldmaking services, but we do have a list of moldmakers on our website: www.smooth-on.com/moldmaker/

[@miaofat5616]

Will the 90% or 70% isopropyl alcohol work as well?

[@smoothon]

90% is suggested, as it dries faster.

[@miaofat5616]

Smooth-On Thank you,I've got a 70% percent one, will it make a big difference?

[@smoothon]

Yes, it will take much longer to dry.

[@nildadomingo421]

Rubber that can sink?

[@awakeneddragon]

What model is the chamber used to remove the bubbles?

[@smoothon]

saiqlo The vacuum chamber that was used is a 2 gallon model.

[@awakeneddragon]

Smooth-On Made by whom?

[@ThePyro3269]

Could you use these without a vacuum chamber?

[@smoothon]

Yes, you could use these materials without a vacuum chamber.

[@10spandandasbarman10]

Will this float if I use sponge filter in my aquarium?

[@smoothon]

Can you send us a tech ticket? Our team can help you - www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/

[@HelloThere-kd3if]

Can I Keep These In Freshwater Tanks?

[@smoothon]

Yes, this is safe for freshwater tanks.

[@zoltanjencski531]

Hello! Help me please! Burned out of clay after you sculpt? Thanks

[@smoothon]

The bulk of the clay is removed, any residue can be cleaned out using 99% isopropyl alcohol.

[@dakillagaming6606]

can I still make it if I don't have that vacuum thing

[@smoothon]

You can, these materials are low viscosity enough to use for this, if poured in a thin stream.

[@dakillagaming6606]

+Smooth-On thanks

[@abhijeetnirgun6238]

Can get material on Amazon india

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching Abhijeet Nirgun. You can find a full list of Smooth-On distributors here - www.smooth-on.com/distributors/

[@carmendubellygarcialondono2902]

Buenas no vienen los videos en español pues soy colombianba y me interezan sus videos gracias

[@apm2103]

carmen dubelly garcia londoño Hola Carmen, creo que no vienen en español pero voy a traducirte los textos que salen. " - Has tu propia anémona de mar con la silicona Ecoflex 1. Se utiliza arcilla a base de aceite libre de sulfuro para hacer el modelo original de la anémona de mar. - Haciendo el molde de caucho 2. El contenedor albergará el caucho líquido mientras que cambia a un estado de sólido flexible. 3. Se asegura el contenedor a una base con silicona caliente 4. Se va a utilizar el caucho 'Mold Star 15 SLOW Silicone Rubber' de Smooth-on. La proporción de mezcla es 1 parte del componente A, por 1 parte del componente B por volumen. (Ambas cantidades deben ser iguales) 5. Verter por partes iguales en volumen el componente A y B 6. Combinar la parte A con la parte B, mezclar muy bien 7. El caucho silicona 'Mold Star 15' se vierte en el contenedor para hacer el molde. 8. Se deja curar el caucho silicona 'Mold Star 15' por un tiempo de 4 horas. Desmoldando el modelo original 9. Se corta el contenedor para remover el molde de caucho silicona. 10. Voltear el molde para extraer el modelo 11. Observar y considerar cuidadosamente el molde, y planear dónde se van a hacer los cortes para extraer el modelo. 12. En este caso el molde será dividido en 4 cuartos. Las líneas rojas indican dónde serán los puntos de corte. 13. Se usa un bisturí o cuter para cortar el caucho. 14. Para este molde, cortar dos tercios (2/3) de distancia hacia abajo. 15. IMPORTANTE: NO cortar todo hasta llegar a la base Haciendo las piezas en el molde de caucho 16. Para mantener el molde unido y en su lugar, se utilizan bandas elásticas 17. Alinear las uniones del corte para eliminar espacios y asegurarse que el registro de la pieza va a ser apropiado. 18. Un desmoldante se hace usando 2 partes de alcohol isopropilico al 91% y 1 parte de jabón para platos 19. Mezclar el desmoldante muy bien y verter en la cavidad del molde de caucho. 20. Se rota el molde para cubrir el interior del molde con el agente desmoldante 21. El exceso de agente se vacía en un contenedor. 22. Dejar que el agente se seque bien. 23. Para la pieza final va a utilizarse el caucho silicona 'Ecoflez 0030 Super-soft" de Smooth on. La proporción de ambas partes es 1A:1B por volumen. 24. Vaciar las partes en volúmenes iguales 1A:1b 25. Verter la parte B en un contenedor limpio para mezclar. 26. Se aplica una pequeña cantidad de 'Red Silc Pig' (Pigmento para silicona) en la parte B y se mezcla muy bien. 27. Se aplica una pequeña cantidad de 'Red ignite' (pigmento fluorescente) en la parte B y se mezcla muy bien. 28. El pigmento fluorescente 'Ignite' brillará al ser expuesto a luz actinica 29. Añada la parte A a la parte B y mezcle muy bien 30. Se pone al vacío la preparación de 'Ecoflex 0030' para minimizar las burbujas de aire. 31. El medidor debe llegar a 29 pulgadas de mercurio para que logre el vacío total 32. Después de que suba y vuelva a bajar la mezcla, el caucho está listo para verter en el molde. 33. 'Ecoflex 0030' se vierte en la cavidad del molde 34. Deje curar el caucho 'Ecoflex 0030' a temperatura ambiente (23C) por 4 horas Desmoldar 35. Se remueven las bandas elásticas del molde 36. Se desmolda la anémona hecha con 'Ecoflex 0030' 37. El caucho curado es muy fuerte y elástico. Se extenderá muchas veces su tamaño original sin romperse. 38. El molde hecho con el caucho silicona 'Mold Star 15' es capaz de hacer cientos de piezas

[@lovethisjazzitscoolandsexe4197]

wow I realy like your video I have a 50 gallen fish tank can you make a sklton skindiver out of rubber

[@YknotLearnall]

I think it's cool what you made but I have to ask. Has this product and all the components used been tested for leaching and is it FDA approved? (Not that I hold the FDA's approvals as absolute but...) Can you provide a link to the type testing, the results and who did the testing? thanks..

[@smoothon]

The FDA does not govern anything made for aquarium use, only for human consumption. We tested here in our lab and in our tanks containing fish and invertebrates for 5 years. Also, many public aquariums , zoos, casinos, resorts etc. have used these materials for years.

[@YknotLearnall]

+Smooth-On Hi, and thanks fur tree reply. The FDA does a tad more but brr that as it may, in a nut shell what you're saying is no testing has been done other than to stick it in an aquarium with ornamental fish and see what happens. to assume people won't use your products to make masks, or a cup to hold or even store drinking water is a little short sighted wouldn't you agree?

[@smoothon]

We have certain materials designed for food safe applications. If you would like more specifics as to how the testing on these products was preformed, please submit a tech support ticket at www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/ or give us a call. One of our aquarium material specialists can help you further.

[@YknotLearnall]

+Smooth-On - So if I'm understanding you correctly, this product and others used in aquariums are NOT considered food safe. ie- they leach harmful byproducts not fit to be used as containers for such things as water fit human consumption. That being the case... what in the world makes you think they're safe for animal husbandry situations, such as aquariums, or a dog watering bowl for that matter? Or a mask to be held against ones face or other body parts, which would emit such corrosive liquids such as sweat or oils. You've already stated your testing for aquariums consisted of putting them in a tank with live animals. And just because others put these products in an aquarium be it in Los Vegas, or a personal tank and have done so for years, it really means nothing one way or the other definitively. It most certainly however does not mean it's safe for fish and/invertebrates. The number one rule in animal husbandry especially aquariums, is it isn't safe for humans to hold water in it, it dang sure ain't safe for fish. and just so you know... I happen to know a thing or two about animal husbandry in a captive environment such as aquariums. I'll leave it at that... ;-)

[@ItsNickFox]

You must be fun at parties.

[@replicante777]

please we need Smooth On storages in México dont forget us please!!

[@jessicaspalmeira]

Suitable for fresh water

[@smoothon]

Yes it is. Thanks for watching!

[@apm2103]

Can I make the release agent with 99% isopropyl alcohol? If not, what would happen if I did?

[@smoothon]

apm2103 That would be fine - make sure the release is thoroughly dry before pouring.

[@jenniferschoenwalder1286]

how do you tell when it is thoroughly dry? It's not like you can see inside those tiny holes? Approximate time? Like half hour? Does weather affect it drying?

[@smoothon]

It will appear 'dull' once dry.

[@MermaidAmatheia]

Smooth-On thanks for answering! I needed to know this as well.

[@hyacinthbewry5775]

You kidding me? This is aaahsome!!!!

[@lunaladuchesse1162]

can this be used to make molds for polymer clay dolls?

[@alinelaura7714]

Arizona Griswalds Yup! I'm not sure it can stand heat, so only air dry clay. Also, it might take very long to dry. If you're very patient, in 4-7 days it should be fine.

[@romildoferreiradesousa5931]

gostaria de saber os nomes dos produtos em português show de bola o vídeo parabéns

[@caretowhittmann]

mejor comprarlas en un chino tardas menos y salen mas baratas

[@Splamsplamington]

don't you need to harden the clay? That's a pretty important step...

[@johnwest360]

this is definitely cool and awesome

[@dumdumbot5702]

Parabens.....

[@templatesgenius]

I love the products u sell can I redirect me to some one that can make some molds for me please

[@smoothon]

+templatesgenius Our mold makers list can be found here: www.smooth-on.com/moldmaker/

[@cloeturner1636]

Bit you can't put chamical in your fish tank

[@BayMaxAcademy]

I feel your worry. I make silicon mermaid tails for swimming and Ik what chemicals are harmful for fish because Ik some people will be swimming with them in lakes & oceans. I some harmful chemicals being used on here.

[@m4774]

LINDOOOOOOOOOOOOO! PARABÉNS! OBRIGADA!

[@coolineho]

How a plumbus is made

[@barhoomah1]

wonderful,, thx.

[@alamgirhossain9817]

nice!!!

[@franciscojardinagem4668]

legau mas nao intendi nada

[@JinxDClown]

been wanting to buy a fake anemone for a while, but keep coming across stories of them leeching (chemicals) into the water. Is this true?

[@smoothon]

The Ecoflex shown in this video is aquarium safe.

[@techlake9464]

nice....

[@boston6781]

I am going to add this to my freshwater tank.

[@grizzly3851]

Hey man, make me one😂😂🙌🏻

[@arastrmaccocuk4098]

Çok guzel

[@etremelyinnpropiart6756]

dont have an aquarium but nice!

[@wastedazhell]

all that work when you can just buy a bubble tip anemone at your local fish store and watch it grow and maybe even host clown fish and thrive its a cool idea tho

[@adrianalob4698]

Hm... I don't know... Most fake anemones look quite stiff... Unlike the real ones, I love the movement of the real ones..

[@alista08]

You guys are whiners, this is pretty cool. A lot of work, yeah, but pretty neat end result. I wonder if it gets a white film like other silicone aquarium decorations seem to.

[@mariegalvan7063]

Results were awesome but if you have all those supplies including a vaccum degasser you can afford to not DIY lol

[@craftminiaturesshop]

BCE

[@alexbean5351]

seriously, you guys think its better to just buy one, its more fun to make and personalize your own thats the point of this video

[@MM-tt3np]

nice vid, but they cost 2 bucks in store

[@taffybubu9250]

Buy then at Walmart for a a dollar

[@BayMaxAcademy]

Please don't. I make silicon mermaid tails and other stuff. I took lost of time making sure to know what is safe and not. Even though the fish are not in direct contact with this silicone. It still leaves chemicals on the finished product. You need to use silicone made for this. It uses type 1A only. type 1B uses way to many chemicals in it. That are harmful to the fish.

[@ZR3FR1K]

for the amount of money spent on all the supplies you could set up a REAL reef tank with REAL anemones!

[@vodil035851]

Ну почему нет перевода на русском ? И где можно купить вашу продукцию в России напишите на эл почту [e-mail]

[@ecostudio289]

Clownfishes need a real anemone !!! So your technique is not good !!! (But the principle is good ) I'm sorry, i'm french so i dont speak english very well