What am I seeing on this seam?

[Hypnotoad]

Should I be worried?

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Looks like air bubbles

 

[Hypnotoad]

Would air bubbles just be from a sloppy job at the factory? I’ve had this tank for 3ish years and never really noticed these, but I was sitting on the floor dinking around under the stand with my face right there and saw them.

 

[SandJ]

Do you have any previous pictures of the tank that you may be able to see the seam and compare?

 

[Cment]

What size tank is it? And yes I would be concerned. It looks to me the seam is separating and I hope Im wrong. Hopefully other can chime in here quickly

 

[Hypnotoad]

It’s a Mr Aqua 25g cube.

Hard to make out in older pictures because they’re all from way further away. I will keep an eye on it now that I have a good shot from today.

 

[FishyDP]

If you did not notice this issue for 3 years my guess is that it is new. I would be a bit concerned that a seam is coming apart..maybe not, but better to get a professional opinion imo, from the manufacturer.

 

[AiKkz]

It’s only a matter of time before that bottom section separates! There’s more air in that bottom area then silicone!

 

[Timfish]

I wouldn't worry about it but I would keep an eye on it. It is a sloppy assembly job done by the manufacturer but the silicone is obviously holding. The issue going forward is algae eventually working it's way into the joint. You can see this process has already started in the picture you posted.

 

[ca1ore]

Every glass tank will eventually fail ..... if you give it enough time. That looks to me like sloppy factory silicone work not progressing/imminent failure. Always a good idea to be vigilant, particularly if something changes in the seams. I’d not personally worry about it.

 

[Troy V]

Since it is a 25 gallon tank I would replace it asap. The damage it will do will probably far exceed the cost of a new tank, and check your stand make sure the corners are level (front to back, and diagonally). When a corner separates it can be due to an uneven stand. Plus I've never seen this sloppy of a silicone job on such a small tank. Usually the air bubbles are more common in thicker glass .50"< . Good luck!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Either a tank unleveled or poor seal that is starting to weaken. No panic as there are many tanks out there representing this image.

 

[Hypnotoad]

Thanks guys. We have a second kiddo on the way, So I'm planning on building a new tank in the main room of the house (the room where the tank is will be the nursery) over the next few months anyway. Fresh start with a new system integrating everything I've learned from this one. I will keep an eye on things, plus I get to be a build thread contributor!