Bad Seal?

Dinkins Aquatic Gardens · Nov 12, 2021

Tank is three months old from Custom Aquariums. Water pretty clearly appears between the silicone "oversmear" and the front glass. Tank is in the wall so I don't know if there is any leaking or weeping at the seam.

Does this look like a problem to y'all? I just rechecked and the tank is level (and is on styrofoam). Tank is 210 gallons, 62 inches long.

Redfoxtang · Nov 12, 2021

If I’m seeing this clearly that definitely would be a problem to me. Looks like the silicone has completely separated itself from the pane. It will get worse if that’s the case from water pressure. Would remove water asap into some stock tanks to take pressure off that tank until custom aquariums can help you out here.

dedragon · Nov 12, 2021

The picture isnt too clean, but if you believe that there is a gap, and if they oversmeared the silicone to cover it up (they may have realized it when building), I would see if they would replace. Don't know their replacement policy though as it has already been awhile, gl

Dinkins Aquatic Gardens · Nov 12, 2021

Here are two more pictures under different lighting. The silicone between the panes is the structural element, right? I'm hoping it's just the silicone attached to the front glass that's loose and the seam itself isn't compromised. What are the odds of that?

There is no water leaking at present.

If the seam were to fail, would it be a gradual worsening leak or a catastrophic explosion?

Redfoxtang · Nov 12, 2021

Yea that’s definitely a seam failure. That would be the silicone between the panes of glass. It will be a gradual leak then proceed to get worse and worse.

Dinkins Aquatic Gardens · Nov 12, 2021

So I talked to the manufacturer, and this is actually just a reflection. In real life, the light area is bouncing around very rapidly, and when I turn off pumps it is still. When I turn off the kessils and turn on the t5, it also goes away. As the day progressed and the lighting in the tank and in the room changed, first the "spot" grew to encompass the entire seam from top to bottom, then it vanished in the afternoon sun.

Quite a scare! I guess the light is entering the glass pane and reflecting/refracting in crazy ways!

Thanks all!