Tansu inspired mixed reef & Haddoni:Clown setup

[sugartooth]

Alright. I'm done.

I'm not going to use this tank. A.G.E. has stated that they stand behind the build of the tank and I should go ahead. They noted those bubbles have been there since the beginning and sometimes happens as the silicone dries. This does make me feel better, but I've decided it won't overcome how I feel about the looks in the long run.

I noticed the blemishes when I first got the tank and it bothered me, and they still bother me. I KNOW in the overall picture (life, not reef picture) this is something that should be a low priority to get all bent out of shape about. But for some reason I can't shake it. A few people suggested that if it's going to bother me now this much, then I certainly would not be able to enjoy this after I'm finished.

I've asked the woodworking contact if there was some way to do a removable trim piece to cover the area of the seams. He has some ideas but now I just want to stop and just not use the tank.

SO, I will probably try to sell it to try and have it not be a complete wash. But if it doesn't sell I may turn it into an angel only tank or a QT. But I really don't have the space for it downstairs, or the desire to set it up again.

For now, this is finished.

 

[ieatchinese]

Wow, Kathy! Sorry to hear that. I just read through the thread to find your latest entry.....what a bummer.

I imagine that there are a lot of folks following this that will be very disappointed. I don't know if you have seen the thread below, but I am in Bangkok right now and I got hooked on the thread. Amazing effort on this fellows part.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1640915

Let me know what you want for the tank, I would be interested if you are selling.

Roy

 

[bbart12]

While is does sound like you have made your decision I feel compelled to incorage you to continue. From what I have read AGE is one of the best in the game and while I understand the want for your fish box to be prefect no matter who builds it odds are it will have some flaw (honestly I would rather know exactly what it is).So instead of throughing in the towel maybee the group can come up with an acceptable solution for you.
My idea is to find out what silicone AGE uses and get a hypodermic needle and inject it into the bubble.
Keep your head up.
Brian

 

[scubasteve06]

Wow, are you sure you want to quit now? You have a beautiful set up and I surely wouldn't let a couple minute bubbles bother me after all the hard work you have done. It seems kinda insignificant after all the hurdles and obstacles you've overcome to quit now.

 

[dahenley]

While is does sound like you have made your decision I feel compelled to incorage you to continue. From what I have read AGE is one of the best in the game and while I understand the want for your fish box to be prefect no matter who builds it odds are it will have some flaw (honestly I would rather know exactly what it is).So instead of throughing in the towel maybee the group can come up with an acceptable solution for you.
My idea is to find out what silicone AGE uses and get a hypodermic needle and inject it into the bubble.
Keep your head up.
Brian

i was thinking the exact same thing, but wasn't sure if it would be possible.
you may contact AGE and see if that is a plausible idea.

 

[sugartooth]

Thanks all, there are other bubbles in the seams. I just showed the one side that bothered me the most. These are the others:

bbart and others. I agree, from what I read, A.G.E. is supposed to be one of the best in the game. It meant a lot that he stands by this tank.

As I was filling the tank, the hesitation grew. Trying to decide if it's okay has affected me too much right now for me to push through it, so better to just stop and step away and let it come back to me.

I am in no way discounting what A.G.E. says, it's just that something is strong enough to stop me right now.

 

[sugartooth]

Roy, thanks for your thoughts. I will be sending you a message.

 

[scubasteve06]

I guess if it was clear silicone it wouldn't be that noticeable...

 

[dzfish17]

I just have to say that Im kinda weird about things like this. I would keep staring at those bubbles too. Not cool IMO.

Dave

 

[hugo209]

Wow just read the entire thread... and have to say that it Really Sucks!!! that the tanks flaws is really stopping your progress on your dream tank... I know alot of us would really like for you to continue this master piece, but in the end your going to be looking at it more than anybody, so if something like that is bothering that much IMO its the rite thing to do then.. look up the company TruVu, I am really satisfied with the quality of my 240g. so hang in there and keep your dream tank alive!! we will be here waiting..

 

[gman107]

im sorry to see you call an end to this story this is an amazing build.what if you tape up the seams from the out side and covered them with black sray paint or a textured spray that way you wont see the seams.doing this shouldnt void any warranties and if you use a light enough touch it shouldnt be noticible.

 

[sugartooth]

Thanks dzfish, scubasteve, hugo209, gman107, bbart, and dahenley, for your encouragement. It's really nice to hear as well as your suggestions to get around it.

More than just aesthetics, friends and family have strongly suggested that I will still be constantly worried about the seams, even after A.G.E.'s initial response. They envision me going to look all the time thinking 'is today the day I will see the bubbles get bigger?' instead of enjoying this accomplishment.

Again, I don't want to disregard what the tank manufacturer says and I mean no offense. But this 'feeling' as I mention is so strong it's actually stopping me as I was filling the tank.

For me, I can't be sure that some deflection down the line won't stress these corners. I guess it bothers me that it's in the two corners and appears to go all the way down to the bottom, especially since this is a 30" tall tank. This in addition to the aesthetics is hard for me to overcome.

I sincerely tried to push it (aesthetics and uncertainty) aside since I got the tank because I trust A.G.E. and the reputation. But I also realize that if something is strong enough to make me stop filling it halfway and not come back after all the effort, time, and money up to this point, it's GOT to mean something and I cannot bury it.

My stomach has been in knots for the last couple of weeks because I don't want to be overreacting, extra fussy, or irrational. I was trying to differentiate how much was the emotional or possibly irrational component and how much was founded. Well, I still can't decide how much of it is irrational and I'm just going on the impact of how something that's intangible and unexplainable can just stop me from finishing this right now.

So, what I've done is outline the bubbles and I will just monitor how it looks for now. Here are some pics:

 

[dahenley]

the left side isn't as bad, but the right has a few..
and with the seams pointing right at your viewing.... i can see how un-appeasing it is....

especially how long it took you to get the pictures/art work, and the wood work, and the tanks just don't match....

its taken a little while to get this far, so a little longer wont hurt.

because you outlined the bubbles, i would put a little more water in the tank.
open the hood of the canopy, and put an adjustable clamp on top, but leave it a little loose to where it wont effect anything, but prevent a problem. fill the tank 1/4 more full and keep watching the bubbles.

 

[dahenley]

if your bubbles get bigger with water, then you will have the proof to get a new tank. if they dont get larger, then the tank should be filled with more water and watched for a longer period of time before filling 100%

if all goes well, and bubbles dont get larger, then i would say its safe. (safe to keep and deal with, or safe to sell as a tank that holds water.

but as mentioned before, if bubbles get larger with more water, i would photograph and relay to AGE.
see what they say or want to do.
(i know what you mean about buying from a manufacturer with a good reputation, so i wish the best of luck)

 

[sugartooth]

the left side isn't as bad, but the right has a few..
and with the seams pointing right at your viewing.... i can see how un-appeasing it is....

especially how long it took you to get the pictures/art work, and the wood work, and the tanks just don't match....

its taken a little while to get this far, so a little longer wont hurt.

because you outlined the bubbles, i would put a little more water in the tank.
open the hood of the canopy, and put an adjustable clamp on top, but leave it a little loose to where it wont effect anything, but prevent a problem. fill the tank 1/4 more full and keep watching the bubbles.

Yes! It doesn't quite match, does it? It feels that it falls short of a seamless look. It no longer looks like one piece.

What do you mean to put an adjustable clamp on top? Shouldn't it be on the bottom where the pressure would be? I'm still not comfortable yet to continue filling it. I don't know, I guess it will just come to me when I'm ready again. For now, I still don't want to use this tank.

Also, there is no warranty on this tank. On their website, it says the tank is not under warranty if used by a third party built stand. I figured risk of needing it was minimal because I had a high end woodworker and a high end tank manufacturer.

By the way, thank you for your guidance along the way. I always want to hear how others see and do things and I've definitely thought a little bit more clearly due to some of your posts.

 

[dahenley]

your right about more pressure being at the bottom, but the bigger air bubbles looked to be at the top. there are more smaller ones at the bottom (from my view)
this is what i meant. its just an wood working clamp. adjustable in length.
if you have 2 of them, then put one on top and one on bottom.
just watch the bubbles as you progressively add more water.
and take you time. you have waited this long, whats a little longer. plus you dont need to rush. take a deep breath and we will all be waiting when your ready. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[SaraB]

Oh no Kathy, so sorry to read about your potential issues that are slowing your build down. I just picked up a used AGE this Saturday to replace my big beast, so I'll take a peek at it later and see how my seams look compared to yours. It's sitting dry in the garage right now.

 

[ieatchinese]

Sara, do take pics if you can. Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks!

 

[sugartooth]

henley: Thanks for the pics. I will consider it.

Hi Sara!
Thanks so much for your post. I saw a brand new A.G.E. at the store before mine came in and it was a pennisula style approx. 200 gallon tank. It looked great with no bubbles. So I was a little bummed when mine didn't look like that one.


Congratulations on your tank, I hope all goes well for you!

 

[aquavista99]

Sugartooth, I had a 300g starphire glass tank replaced from a different tank builder a while ago because of excessive bubbles on the silicone seems (looked a lot worse than your tank). I also ended up talking to other tank builders as well about the issue. I am much happier with my replacement tank, but the new tank still has some bubbles in the silicone seams as well, like yours. From what I have been told, the bigger the glass tank, the harder it is to obtain perfect silicone seems...I have seen your issue on other larger glass tanks as well. Even if Ace or another company builds you a new tank, you may still see some imperfections along the silicone seams because with larger glass tanks, the heavier glass makes it more difficult to create the perfect bubble free seems you are use to seeing on much smaller tanks.

At the end of the day, if you are not happy with your tank, you should get a replacement, but unfortunately, the replacement tank may not be completely perfect as well. I have been in your shoes and know exactly how you feel.

BTW, I sure hope you finish this amazing project you started.