Should I be concerned about these gaps in the silicone?

[gideon2086]

220g waterbox. The gaps are on the bottom pane.

 

[gideon2086]

220g waterbox. The gaps are on the bottom pane.

 

[gideon2086]

@ReefSquad

 

[gideon2086]

I'm going assume the null response is a good thing and carry on for now.

 

[JCM]

I think the lack of responses Is because its hard to tell what's going on in the picture. People also hesitate to say "it's fine" when the consequence is a boatload of water on your floor.

My tank has a few little air bubbles in the silicone, so far no problem.

 

[Tumey]

This ^^^ but personally if this is a brand new tank I wouldn’t have purchased or accepted the issues with craftsmanship.
Just my .02

 

[MERKEY]

Ugh that's a tough one.

You will probably never have an issue but having a gap in the silicone like that in multiple places is never a good sign.

I'd contact the manufacturer and give them detailed pics....better than you have here is possible.

They may want to help you out.

 

[zalick]

I wouldn’t be too concerned as the bubbles are on the bottom and not on the water side exposed to water.

still not good and below the craftsmanship Id expect of waterbox. Certainly message them now so it doesn’t become a warranty issue.

 

[MONTANTK]

Better pictures might help but honestly if they’re air bubbles I wouldn’t risk it because there’s a chance it will get worse over time. Probably won’t result in a total blow out but a slow drip is no good either.

Ive been there and the last thing you’ll want to do is wake up at 3am to empty your tank and move your livestock somehow. It was bad enough with my 30 gallon I can only imagine what a 220 would be like.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

It appears that the seam may be failing. If you did not notice this when the tank was new and unfilled I would only assume a potential failure. Water Box needs to see your pictures if you are still in the warranty period. Try to take pictures without the blue light with more of a daylight or white setting as it may show the seam better. I have seen this type of thing in several glass aquariums before failure. You might have enough time to get a back up tank like a cheap livestock poly tank for around $100.00 for a 100 gallon tank. I always have a quick unbreakable back up on hand just in case the tank turns into a waterfall.

If it was my tank I would get the back up today!

You mentioned gaps are you able to get a fingernail in them from the outside or inside?

 

[gideon2086]

It appears that the seam may be failing. If you did not notice this when the tank was new and unfilled I would only assume a potential failure. Water Box needs to see your pictures if you are still in the warranty period. Try to take pictures without the blue light with more of a daylight or white setting as it may show the seam better. I have seen this type of thing in several glass aquariums before failure. You might have enough time to get a back up tank like a cheap livestock poly tank for around $100.00 for a 100 gallon tank. I always have a quick unbreakable back up on hand just in case the tank turns into a waterfall.

If it was my tank I would get the back up today!

You mentioned gaps are you able to get a fingernail in them from the outside or inside?

The tank is new. I've had it cycling and planned to transfer my active tank into it tomorrow. I can't get a fingernail or anything into it because it's on the underside.

 

[Reef.]

I would email Waterbox, see what they say, you never know they may say it's not acceptable.

 

[mehaffydr]

Those are so incredibly small I can't imagine that they have any structural impact on this aquarium at all. I think most of these replies are overreacting. I would send the manufacturer a picture to be sure but I don't think you have anything to be concerned about

 

[fishguy242]

mark with sharpie ,monitor for growth

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Place a tissue at the seam between the glass and stand. If it gets wet you have water trapped between the stand and the glass due to water possibly running down the glass as you filled or aquascaped the tank. While this is not ideal you may be seeing the bubbles due to the results of capillary action. Sometimes you can draw out the water by wicking action with dry cotton towels or paper towels. It might not be a bubble in the glass seam at all.

 

[gideon2086]

Place a tissue at the seam between the glass and stand. If it gets wet you have water trapped between the stand and the glass due to water possibly running down the glass as you filled or aquascaped the tank. While this is not ideal you may be seeing the bubbles due to the results of capillary action. Sometimes you can draw out the water by wicking action with dry cotton towels or paper towels. It might not be a bubble in the glass seam at all.

It's definitely gaps in silicone.

 

[gideon2086]

Here are some shots with a light on it.

 

[MONTANTK]

Here are some shots with a light on it.

With the new pictures is doesn’t look like air bubbles which id say could a better scenario. Almost looks like a little too much silicone was trimmed from the excess. Not sure how big of an issue that is but I’d definitely reach out to Waterbox. At the very least if it’s not an issue you can still maybe get a few bucks back and opt to keep the tank

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I agree, looks like a quality control issue on the finished product. Don’t think it is a failure concern but would contact the manufacturer.

The other thing I was thinking was the edge of the glass was chipped/damaged and should not have been used to begin with. When siliconed together you are seeing the chipped edge and the silicone? Wild guess.

 

[paparoof]

mark with sharpie ,monitor for growth

No matter what else you, do this. You need to know if the gaps are getting bigger.

If the gaps do not change in size it doesn't really mean much, but if the gaps are growing in size at all, I would immediately implement emergency evacuation plans.