New Acrylic Display Bubbles in seams?

[fishndive121]

Hi all,
We had this acrylic tank built for our shop a couple months back. We just finished setting the tank up and are now noticing the bubbles.

The tank is 3/4” and is approx 200 gallons. We’ve had more the one issue with the other tanks that were built. I’ve reached out to the builder and he assures me this is normal.

I’ve never had a large acrylic tank and I just wanted to see if anyone had any insight?

 

[littlefoxx]

Hi all,
We had this acrylic tank built for our shop a couple months back. We just finished setting the tank up and are now noticing the bubbles.

The tank is 3/4” and is approx 200 gallons. We’ve had more the one issue with the other tanks that were built. I’ve reached out to the builder and he assures me this is normal.

I’ve never had a large acrylic tank and I just wanted to see if anyone had any insight?

Following as Im looking into a big acrylic as well. Ive got a guy on FB marketplace I was talking to and he is selling his, they have bubbles too and said thats normal… not sure if thats true or he just wants to sell it!

 

[CBonito]

Bubbles appear to only be on the edges so I wouldn't say this is a structural problem.
Looks like a lot of those bubbles happened from running a bead of thicker weld-on on the inside seams which many do to ensure there is a good seal. I'm not going to make any critiques on anyone's work here. But this usually happens on a perpendicular seam where there are no edge treatments like a routed bullnose edge on the corners.
I have some bubbles in mine in areas where there were no edge treatments like where the side panels join the back. I do not have them where the front corners were all bullnosed and polished.

 

[Gill the 3rd]

I can’t speak to if it’s normal. I can offer this - my 300 gallon, 3/4” thick acrylic tank does not have any bubbles as shown in your pics.

 

[fishndive121]

Following as Im looking into a big acrylic as well. Ive got a guy on FB marketplace I was talking to and he is selling his, they have bubbles too and said thats normal… not sure if thats true or he just wants to

Bubbles appear to only be on the edges so I wouldn't say this is a structural problem.
Looks like a lot of those bubbles happened from running a bead of thicker weld-on on the inside seams which many do to ensure there is a good seal. I'm not going to make any critiques on anyone's work here. But this usually happens on a perpendicular seam where there are no edge treatments like a routed bullnose edge on the corners.
I have some bubbles in mine in areas where there were no edge treatments like where the side panels join the back. I do not have them where the front corners were all bullnosed and polished.

Thanks man! I appreciate your insight!

 

[CBonito]

Thanks man! I appreciate your insight!

You're welcome. My tank is smaller, but it is 3/4" thick as well. It's very strong stuff. Enjoy!

 

[fishndive121]

I can’t speak to if it’s normal. I can offer this - my 300 gallon, 3/4” thick acrylic tank does not have any bubbles as shown in your pics.

Interesting, we’ve installed this tank and it’s all hard plumbed. We’re hoping this isn’t an issue but the company we hired for the build has been less than truthful with us regarding the other issues we’ve had.

I appreciate your time!

 

[Gill the 3rd]

Sure no problem . Wish I was more helpful lol. The nice thing about an acrylic tanks is if done correctly, they are super strong

 

[Ironwill723]

Perhaps email someone who specializes in acrylic work like Melevsreef or Octo Aquatics and ask their opinion.

 

[albano]

Have had, (and now have) many acrylic tanks since 1988… have never seen a tank in that bad of condition… no way that l’d accept that!

 

[Gill the 3rd]

I think theres a pretty long ongoing thread on r2r about acrylic tank construction with some really experienced people who work with acrylic. May be worth posting in that thread

Edit - found it. @Turbo's Aquatics might be able to help you out.

Acrylic Fabrication Q & A

but what happens when the tank is filled and the acrylic naturally bows even more? I was trying to think about how that would play out...unsure 18" tall. It has 3/4" material for the four sides and 1/2" for top and bottom. well that's slightly overbuilt IMO, or at worst, correctly built. I...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Troylee]

Nothing wrong with that tank! Bubbles happen I don’t care who you are lol… that is not effecting your seams or anything and is good to go. It appears the builder used Weldon 40/42 and not solvent but it’s plenty strong.

 

[Troylee]

Have had, (and now have) many acrylic tanks since 1988… have never seen a tank in that bad of condition… no way that l’d accept that!

Bad of condition? lol.. nothing wrong with it!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all,
We had this acrylic tank built for our shop a couple months back. We just finished setting the tank up and are now noticing the bubbles.

The tank is 3/4” and is approx 200 gallons. We’ve had more the one issue with the other tanks that were built. I’ve reached out to the builder and he assures me this is normal.

I’ve never had a large acrylic tank and I just wanted to see if anyone had any insight?

Mine had same when new without any issues. While not the most attractive, through fusion, will not offer a leak result

 

[albano]

Bad of condition? lol.. nothing wrong with it!

It looks terrible… you can’t say that is acceptable!

 

[littlefoxx]

It looks terrible… you can’t say that is acceptable!

Im inclined to agree, it would sketch me out to have bubbles to be honest

 

[Reefing102]

I’m no acrylic expert but the seam appears structurally sound. With that said, depending on how obvious it is, it may be that would annoy me.

 

[Troylee]

It looks terrible… you can’t say that is acceptable!

Them pictures are exaggerating it I promise you! I do it for a living and I’m sure I could pick any acrylic tank apart you own and you’d never notice what I see..

 

[albano]

Them pictures are exaggerating it I promise you! I do it for a living and I’m sure I could pick any acrylic tank apart you own and you’d never notice what I see..

Maybe you could, but it looks like I would notice those problems on his tank. I’m not saying that the tank will fail, but I would not be happy with the look of the seams.

 

[CBonito]

Them pictures are exaggerating it I promise you! I do it for a living and I’m sure I could pick any acrylic tank apart you own and you’d never notice what I see..

Yeah, that is not a problem.
If there were a bunch of bubbles in the middle of the joint, I would call that unacceptable, but the joints on that tank are solid.