Buubles In One Seam - Structural or Cosmetic?

PyroSteve · 03/13/2018, 04:23 PM

I need some help. I picked-up an old tank that I wanted to make a mini-reef. I redid the water seals (black) and noticed small bubbles in one structural seam. I was wondering if they were stress bubbles and something I should be concerned about. Here's what they look like...

Here's what the other 3 seams look like...

I did notice when I water tested the tank on the corner opposite of the seam there was a gap between the tank and stand that I needed to shim up quite a bit. Could this have something to do with it?

kmbyrnes · 03/18/2018, 06:27 PM

Those bubbles look cosmetic IMO.
Make the tank is as level as you can get it.

OzIA · 03/18/2018, 09:49 PM

So, you cut out the excess original clear and put black in the corners? You may have made things weaker.

Bubbles are not uncommon but you need to make sure the stand supports the load evenly.

ReefkeeperZ · 03/19/2018, 04:45 AM

those bubbles are purely cosmetic and shouldn't affect the integrity of the tank.

mcgyvr · 03/19/2018, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzIA

So, you cut out the excess original clear and put black in the corners? You may have made things weaker.

Bubbles are not uncommon but you need to make sure the stand supports the load evenly.

He just redid the internal non-structural seals..
Those are really just to protect the main seal from damage

Doing so should not have made things weaker at all..

ClownNut · 03/19/2018, 05:38 AM

new silicone doesn't stick to old silicon very well. yes, as long as you didn't cut into the silicone between panel shouldn't weaken the tank, but when you remove the top bracer that will. so let it filled with water and sit for a month, check every few days, monitor the bubbles.

PyroSteve · 03/22/2018, 03:07 PM

Thanks. I'm going to fill and monitor it for a few weeks. The bubbles were in the seam when i got it so it wasn't from the reseal or water in the tank. I do get a little over 1/16" bow just between the glass end braces (21"w). From what I've read, that's not uncommon for a 30, 29 or 40B without center brace and with trim. Is this correct info? I checked my 55 and it does bow slightly in the center even with the center brace and trim.

PyroSteve · 03/23/2018, 02:54 PM

I decided to add a center brace just to be safe.

03/13/2018, 04:23 PM	#1
PyroSteve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 60	Buubles In One Seam - Structural or Cosmetic? I need some help. I picked-up an old tank that I wanted to make a mini-reef. I redid the water seals (black) and noticed small bubbles in one structural seam. I was wondering if they were stress bubbles and something I should be concerned about. Here's what they look like... Here's what the other 3 seams look like... I did notice when I water tested the tank on the corner opposite of the seam there was a gap between the tank and stand that I needed to shim up quite a bit. Could this have something to do with it?

03/18/2018, 06:27 PM	#2
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	Those bubbles look cosmetic IMO. Make the tank is as level as you can get it. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

03/19/2018, 04:45 AM	#4
ReefkeeperZ Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 392	those bubbles are purely cosmetic and shouldn't affect the integrity of the tank. __________________ insert witty catchphrase here

03/19/2018, 05:38 AM	#6
ClownNut Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,859	new silicone doesn't stick to old silicon very well. yes, as long as you didn't cut into the silicone between panel shouldn't weaken the tank, but when you remove the top bracer that will. so let it filled with water and sit for a month, check every few days, monitor the bubbles. __________________ Dont let me know where u lived if u have a nice pair of clownfish in ur tank!^_^ Clown kidnaper^_^ Current Tank Info: 300DD, SM200/RD3,ATI 60-8X80+4X75, 2 Sea Sweep & 4X6105 & 6208

03/18/2018, 09:49 PM	#3
OzIA Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 214	So, you cut out the excess original clear and put black in the corners? You may have made things weaker. Bubbles are not uncommon but you need to make sure the stand supports the load evenly.

03/22/2018, 03:07 PM	#7
PyroSteve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 60	Thanks. I'm going to fill and monitor it for a few weeks. The bubbles were in the seam when i got it so it wasn't from the reseal or water in the tank. I do get a little over 1/16" bow just between the glass end braces (21"w). From what I've read, that's not uncommon for a 30, 29 or 40B without center brace and with trim. Is this correct info? I checked my 55 and it does bow slightly in the center even with the center brace and trim.

03/23/2018, 02:54 PM	#8
PyroSteve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 60	I decided to add a center brace just to be safe.