Silicone Seal Concerns

jschrecongost · Nov 28, 2021

Hello everyone,

I have recently set up a 75 gallon aquarium and one of the silicone seals appears to have algae growing underneath it in a few spots. The tank has only been set up for three months and was never previously set up so it is almost brand new. I do not want to name the brand in case it can reflect poorly on them as I am currently in contact with them. Is this something that I should be concerned with because I am currently nervous about these seeming weaknesses in the silicone seal. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Josh

blaxsun · Nov 28, 2021

I think it warrants some concerns, yes. What does the tank manufacturer say?

N.Sreefer · Nov 28, 2021

Wow I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Looks like an air bubble that waters now getting into. I would strip the tank down clean the seams with alcohol and reseal. That's a fair amount of work though. And it takes practice to do right.

homer1475 · Nov 28, 2021

The inner filet of silicone is just "window dressing"(no structural adhesion). As long as the silicone between the panes is ok, then your fine. I doubt the manufacturer is going to do anything.

All my tanks eventually have grown algae on the silicone, and in removing it, I have massacred the "window dressing", but the structural between the pane silicone is just fine.

ColoredRock · Nov 28, 2021

Looks to be part of the Interior part of the seam that does nothing for structure. I would Mark it and watch for "growth"

ColoredRock · Nov 28, 2021

What made me switch tanks was when it got into the Glass on glass silicon.

homer1475 · Nov 28, 2021

ColoredRock said:
What made me switch tanks was when it got into the Glass on glass silicon.

Now that would worry me, and warrant looking for a new tank rather quickly.

jschrecongost · Nov 28, 2021

blaxsun said:
I think it warrants some concerns, yes. What does the tank manufacturer say?

Thus far they have just asked for more pictures, which hopefully is a sign that they may help. I am impressed that they respond on a Sunday.

jschrecongost · Nov 28, 2021

ColoredRock said:
Looks to be part of the Interior part of the seam that does nothing for structure. I would Mark it and watch for "growth"

Thank you! Hopefully it will not grow.

jschrecongost · Nov 28, 2021

homer1475 said:
The inner filet of silicone is just "window dressing"(no structural adhesion). As long as the silicone between the panes is ok, then your fine. I doubt the manufacturer is going to do anything.

All my tanks eventually have grown algae on the silicone, and in removing it, I have massacred the "window dressing", but the structural between the pane silicone is just fine.

Thank you, the silicone between the panes seems to be good, so hopefully that will prevent anything too major.

NowGlazeIT · Nov 28, 2021

ColoredRock said:
What made me switch tanks was when it got into the Glass on glass silicon.

Perfect example of silicone starting to fail

jschrecongost · Nov 29, 2021

N.Sreefer said:
Wow I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Looks like an air bubble that waters now getting into. I would strip the tank down clean the seams with alcohol and reseal. That's a fair amount of work though. And it takes practice to do right.

Thank you, it’s certainly frustrating to deal with on a brand new tank. I am hoping I can avoid resealing, but if I have to I’ve done it once with solid success, but I’d also have to re-plumb it and figure out a situation to hold the livestock.

jschrecongost said:
Hello everyone,

I have recently set up a 75 gallon aquarium and one of the silicone seals appears to have algae growing underneath it in a few spots. The tank has only been set up for three months and was never previously set up so it is almost brand new. I do not want to name the brand in case it can reflect poorly on them as I am currently in contact with them. Is this something that I should be concerned with because I am currently nervous about these seeming weaknesses in the silicone seal. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Josh

The manufacturer has simply sent a picture of a large bubble under a seal and says if it doesn't look like this it will be fine. I told him how disappointing it is for a tank that is only three months old to have any issues with the seal at all. Unfortunately this is not a Red Sea or Waterbox tank who stand by their products with their warranty.