Glass panes detaching in upper corner

[tiomm]

I've noticed a gap in the silicone seal on the top of my 100 gallon tank.
The gap was about half an inch two weeks ago, but I just noticed it has gotten bigger.

It still isn't near the water line. And I just lowered it further.

But I'm worried it will continue to creep until the glass panes will start to detach. Which for sure will induce a catastrophe.

Im not experienced enough to know if this will be okay or if I should empty the tank immediately.

The tank is standing on a wobbly aluminum stand, on old wooden floor from the 40's. However it is leveled.

Help?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Can you get a pix.
When you say gap. Is it between the actual panels of glass or just silicone on the glass?

 

[tiomm]

 

[tiomm]

This is the best picture I can get atm. The silicone is still attached to the back glass piece, so the gap only shows on the side pane.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I’m not a rimless guy, so let’s see what other think. Just to be sure, the actual glass to glass is not separating is it

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Now that I take a second look it does look like the glass is opening up. If so that may be close to failing at any time.

 

[tiomm]

No, the glass sides are still very much fixed to each other. The inner corner of the seal seems intact as well.

This is what I get for going rimless [emoji19]

 

[cracker]

Sorry not sure what You are saying. If the glass panes are coming apart, that not good at all !

Ok & good we were posting at the same time .

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Phew, worried for a sec.
it sounds like it could just be the excess silicone from the build, but I am not sure so I am sure we will get someone soon to help us.

 

[wesman42]

It's difficult to see what that picture is at all. Maybe if you can zoom out a little bit and explain what we're seeing then you might get a more pointed answer.

 

[tiomm]

It's not excess silicone. It's the actual silicone holding the glass together that is failing.

However, right now the water level is about an inch below it. Which would make the tank pretty strong still i hope?

 

[tiomm]

I'll try to get a video of it. Brb

 

[tiomm]

 

[Mastiffsrule]

That does not look good, could be a failure imo

@cracker

 

[MrObscura]

Yea, it's probably only a matter of time, and likely sooner rather than later, before catastrophe hits.

You say it's on a wobbly stand, a constant shifting in water pressure could have played a factor.

 

[virtual reality]

Scary to see.

 

[tiomm]

Yeah that dang floor have been on my mind for a long time. The aluminum stands are common in Europe and I've researched a whole bit on them and people often say they are trustworthy. But you live, you learn.
Time to sell the inhabitants and quit the hobby until I've moved to a place that has proper concrete floors.

And next time no wobbly aluminum stand and euro-braces on every tank.

Sad day [emoji20]

 

[Gonebad395]

I would drain that tank ASAP matter of fact I would get a small ratchet strap around the upper part of the tankuntil you can get a few brute cans to empty it. it’s just a matter of time before that seam goes and when it does it’s going to go fast. Sucks but better to deal with it now then with a mop and bucket.

Oh and it you use a strap don’t tighten it crazy that could be bad just snug.

 

[RobW]

No dude! That is not good. The tank should be drained. Then that panel needs to be cut free and cleaned up to get all the residual silicone off of there. Wipe it down with acetone and new beads of silicone need to be applied and the panel reattached. Seems like maybe someone didnt get the silicone on there very quickly and it started to skin over or something before they stuck the panels together and did not get a good bond. Either that or they used an inferior product.

 

[cracker]

So Your sure this is recent? Sorry I really don't know , Wish I could see it in person . If it is separating, it's not good.