Ugh, is this likely the beginning of my seam failure?

[BryanM]

Yes, its a RedSea.... 425XL. There's no sand between the glass near the seam, but this is now starting to concern me... Thoughts?

 

[RockRash]

I would be concerned as well. After reading all the threads posted lately it definitely doesn't look good. How old is the tank? Have you contacted red sea?

 

[polyppal]

Yes, its a RedSea....

I stopped reading there, your answer is yes

 

[BristleWormHater]

This does not look like a seam failure to me. I had the same panic attack looking at my tank when I first got it. Then I figured it out, its just a shadow! Move around the substrate right next to the glass and the shadows should change, if they don't then its a seam failure.

 

[BristleWormHater]

This does not look like a seam failure to me. I had the same panic attack looking at my tank when I first got it. Then I figured it out, its just a shadow! Move around the substrate right next to the glass and the shadows should change, if they don't then its a seam failure.

You could also shine a flashlight at it to make sure they are shadows.

 

[BasementBox]

If it is, you could attempt a temporarily rescue on the base until you figure out plan A and B.

If you find it is. Loop one around your base. Tighten as much as you can and hold your breath. Obviously metal on glass is bad. Buffer it with a towel.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Figured it out yet?
Also here's an example of the shadow on my seams

 

[BryanM]

Figured it out yet?
Also here's an example of the shadow on my seams

This definitely looks similar, I just don't understand how/where the shadow would be coming from.

 

[BristleWormHater]

This definitely looks similar, I just don't understand how/where the shadow would be coming from.

I don't really know either But it's a reflection of the top layer of sand to my observations. I would guess extra light spill, my lights are mounted 13 inches above the tank

 

[Nburg's Reef]

could be light reflecting/refracting thru the glass back on the seam.

 

[BryanM]

with lights out it certainly appears solid/normal, so it seems it must be shadows. Funky, but right now I feel a lot better.

 

[BarryBenthic]

with lights out it certainly appears solid/normal, so it seems it must be shadows. Funky, but right now I feel a lot better.

I have the same thing on my Red Sea tank which sent me down this same rabbit hole. I’m still always checking based on the posts I see, but so far so good.

 

[ilyad]

I've tripped myself out on something similar with a completely different tank brand...

My overhead house recessed lights were shining through the top of the glass pane and refracting all funky within the seam. You can try shining a strong flashlight right at the seam from the outside. But also, try shining the flashlight through the top edge of the glass pane towards the seam, you can see how the light refracts around. In my case, after looking more from all sorts of angles, I was able to pretty surely say mine was just refraction of light.