URGENT* HELP! Bubbles in silicone!

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Marineland 93g rimless cube from a LFS. I was ignorant and didn't thoroughly inspect every seam of the tank before filling it up and getting everything going. I noticed this today... should I be worried?

I've spoken with a few people who say that it is purely cosmetic, albeit these conversations were over the phone and a clear picture wasn't provided to the people I was talking to.

Any advice is welcome. Someone, reassure me!

cracker · Mar 10, 2017

Don't worry too much. Just keep an eye on it. You should be fine. Is the tank new?

buckroe07 · Mar 10, 2017

Honestly, I'm a little worried. I wouldn't leave it especially since it's a rimless tank so its only being held together by the silicone. If it were tiny bubbles here and there, sure but that looks like there's hardly any bond from the inside of the tank to the outside which is more noticeable towards the top. Sorry.

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

cracker said:
Don't worry too much. Just keep an eye on it. You should be fine. Is the tank new?

Hi there! Thank you for reassuring me a little bit.

The tank is brand new!

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

buckroe07 said:
Honestly, I'm a little worried. I wouldn't leave it especially since it's a rimless tank so its only being held together by the silicone. If it were tiny bubbles here and there, sure but that looks like there's hardly any bond from the inside of the tank to the outside which is more noticeable towards the top. Sorry.

Thanks for chiming in! I'm still trying to research a little bit before making a decision. But I'm still quite concerned!

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

I actually just noticed that ALL of the seams have little bubbles in them. There is another towards the front that looks like the one pictured. The other ones aren't as noticeable.

YIKES!

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

This is the other seam.

buckroe07 · Mar 10, 2017

Wow! That most certainly did it for me although not as bad as the other side. Its structural integrity seems too comprised for my liking. Maybe no immediate threat so if you plan on upgrading, do it a lot sooner than later, lol!

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

buckroe07 said:
Wow! That most certainly did it for me although not as bad as the other side. Its structural integrity seems too comprised for my liking. Maybe no immediate threat so if you plan on upgrading, do it a lot sooner than later, lol!

Eek! SO not a happy camper right now. I found another thread on another forum where a person had seams like mine, and the "experts," claimed it was fine and not to worry about it. Marineland apparently says that these air bubbles are "normal."

What the heck?!

peteyspizza · Mar 10, 2017

I suppose that you could reinforce it from the inside with something like this?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-2-8-oz-Silicone-Aquarium-Sealant-00688/100128841

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

P3T3R said:
I suppose that you could reinforce it from the inside with something like this?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-2-8-oz-Silicone-Aquarium-Sealant-00688/100128841

Urgh. I don't think I'm handy enough to do that without mucking it up. I'm either going to tear down and get a new one, or leave it up and running and hope for the best. I've been reading threads on the issue (specifically with Marineland tanks), and keep coming to the conclusion that it is cosmetic, but to watch it in case it begins to spread. But who knows? For every 1 person who says they've had issues, there are countless more who haven't.

I won't be sleeping a wink tonight. Ha.

cromag27 · Mar 10, 2017

I used to build glass tanks (now I build acrylic), there's no good reason for those bubbles and I would predict seam failure at some point.

AustinAquaculture · Mar 10, 2017

cromag08 said:
I used to build glass tanks (now I build acrylic), there's no good reason for those bubbles and I would predict seam failure at some point.

Thank you for chiming in! I think I will begin breaking it down after hearing that.

duncangweller · Mar 11, 2017

I had a marine land 93 rimless also, and although I didn't have bubbles in any of the seams, the silicone work was abysmal. It was all over the glass and so untidy. Bothered me from the day I bought it to the day I sold it

hybridazn · Mar 11, 2017

How long ago did you buy this? It would be getting replaced if it were me. Those seams aren't a "if" they fail, it's a "when" they fail. I suggest talking with the place you purchased it from asap.

skim · Mar 11, 2017

My 100 gal looked the same and I was freaked out and called the company that made it and was told the same nothing to worry about. That was 20 years ago and it is still up and running. It is a 5 footer with no center brace to boot.

AustinAquaculture · Mar 11, 2017

duncangweller said:
I had a marine land 93 rimless also, and although I didn't have bubbles in any of the seams, the silicone work was abysmal. It was all over the glass and so untidy. Bothered me from the day I bought it to the day I sold it

Thank you for sharing your experience! How long was it up and running?

hybridazn said:
How long ago did you buy this? It would be getting replaced if it were me. Those seams aren't a "if" they fail, it's a "when" they fail. I suggest talking with the place you purchased it from asap.

I purchased it yesterday and got it up and running last night. I spoke with them and they said it is nothing to worry about, but they hadn't seen a picture yet. I'm going to take the photos into them today.

skim said:
My 100 gal looked the same and I was freaked out and called the company that made it and was told the same nothing to worry about. That was 20 years ago and it is still up and running. It is a 5 footer with no center brace to boot.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm so glad that yours is still up and running!

Velcro · Mar 11, 2017

Its common on this tank. Mine has it and has been up for several years.

AustinAquaculture · Mar 11, 2017

Velcro said:
Its common on this tank. Mine has it and has been up for several years.

Thank you for chiming in! Do yours look like mine do?

Velcro · Mar 11, 2017

AustinAquaculture said:
Thank you for chiming in! Do yours look like mine do?

When I do a large waterchange it will look like that for a couple days then get better. I think I've read reports of it getting better over time. If you ever see water moving into the seam then that is a different story, but on this tank it seems to be common to have the bubbles.