*URGENT* Bubbles in Silicone

[BrooksReef]

Hey everyone.

Thanks for reading and hopefully providing some insight into my issue.

I recently purchased and setup a 93g Marineland Rimless Cube. I did not pay any attention to the seams before filling it up (stupid mistake). After filling it a little less than half way, I noticed that there were a lot of microbubbles in the seams (two of them [photos attached] seem to be worse than the other two). I have NO idea if they were there beforehand or if they appeared after it being filled. Seeing as I noticed it after it was less than half way full, I'm kind of assuming that they were already there. It is currently filled and running.

I've measured the tank and do not see any bowing (if that makes a difference).

Anyhow, here are the photos. I've been told by quite a few that it isn't anything to worry about; including the LFS I purchased it from. I even called other LFS in my area and asked them, and they said don't worry about it compromising the integrity of the tank. On another forum, I've had conflicting information. Some say its fine, some say its a minute away from busting...

BUT, I still wanted more opinions.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[CK00020]

Looks like there is lots of silicone there I wouldn't be too worried

 

[BrooksReef]

Looks like there is lots of silicone there I wouldn't be too worried

Thank you for chiming in!

I have never found a documented case on a forum of one of these failing except for one guy who drilled his and tightened the bulkhead too much.

I own the same tank and it had some bubbles when I purchased it (substantially less than yours). I searched and searched and never found anyone where it caused an issue. I just inspected my tank and one seam has 10 tiny dots. The rest are gone. This is the same situation I have read about on another forum.

I'd suggest emailing those photos to Marineland to get their opinion on your tank.

Hi Kendrid! Thanks your sharing your thoughts. I've read countless forum posts both on Reef Central and other forums and like you, have yet to find a documented case of failure.

So, in your experience these marks/bubbles diminish over time? Another member in my local forum suggested it could be stress marks on the silicone caused from the tank being twisted in some way. The tank seems to be level on all sides so I don't know if that is really the issue.

Thanks again for chiming in with your experience.

 

[JUNBUG361]

Agree with kendrid take pictures contact marineland & register your tank, if I can remember they offer lifetime warranty on there tank. If anything happens they have some documents from the beginning

 

[Lsufan]

No, they will not deminish over time. I would contact marineland because I would not be happy at all with that tank if I purchased it new. It's pretty common to have a few bubbles but that tank has way more then just a few bubbles. Usually I would say to keep a close eye on it to see if they get worse but it is so bad that I don't think u will notice it if it slowly gets worse.

Like I said, I would definitely call them & tell them u want another tank. I know it would be a hassle since it's already setup but that whole seam is in bad shape, it's not just a few bubbles.

 

[BrooksReef]

No, they will not deminish over time. I would contact marineland because I would not be happy at all with that tank if I purchased it new. It's pretty common to have a few bubbles but that tank has way more then just a few bubbles. Usually I would say to keep a close eye on it to see if they get worse but it is so bad that I don't think u will notice it if it slowly gets worse.

Like I said, I would definitely call them & tell them u want another tank. I know it would be a hassle since it's already setup but that whole seam is in bad shape, it's not just a few bubbles.

Thanks for posting.

I've sent them an e-mail, and am currently awaiting their response. I don't foresee them getting back with me until Monday or Tuesday... I hope by that point the tank hasn't exploded.

 

[Reef Dude]

I went through this with when I had my 60 gallon cube. I search and searched... Seems like this is common to almost all of the marineland rimless tanks, and yet I could not find a single documented case of these tanks failing. I called Marineland about these bubbles and they assured me that they are normal although they could not explain why. Either way, I was not comfortable with the bubbles and glass bowing so I purchased another tank, but I think you'll probably be fine. If these bubble were an issues, you think that you'd be able to find something online about them failing.

 

[BrooksReef]

After much deliberation, I am going to begin draining the tank this evening and hope that MarineLand will replace it for me.

So disappointed.

 

[dattack]

After much deliberation, I am going to begin draining the tank this evening and hope that MarineLand will replace it for me.

So disappointed.

They should because the aesthetics (silicone job) is horrible. And don't accept that is normal. A few bubbles yes but not hundreds.

 

[BrooksReef]

They should because the aesthetics (silicone job) is horrible. And don't accept that is normal. A few bubbles yes but not hundreds.

Agreed. Even if it was purely aesthetic (which it very well could be), its still a cruddy job.

 

[Lsufan]

I'm no tank builder so I'm not a professional on the subject. Uncle has been back roaming the forums lately so maybe he will chime in but to me that is more then just aesthetics's. That is the structural seam that holds the tank together & a few bubbles may be ok, but that whole seam is nothing but bubbles.

If u don't drain it I would keep a close eye on it & look back at your pictures to see if they are getting worse or not. If it gets worse then that means it is slowly coming apart. U never know, but I would expect it to start leaking before it would come completely apart. But it could very well let go at one time also.

I wouldn't buy a used tank if the seam looked like that so I know I would be extremely unhappy to pay for a new tank & the seam look like that

I see u have been a member for a while so u may already know, but if Uncle sees your thread & chimes in I would listen to him 100% because he knows what he is talking about. I know I have learned a ton from his posts in the past.

 

[BrooksReef]

I'm no tank builder so I'm not a professional on the subject. Uncle has been back roaming the forums lately so maybe he will chime in but to me that is more then just aesthetics's. That is the structural seam that holds the tank together & a few bubbles may be ok, but that whole seam is nothing but bubbles.

If u don't drain it I would keep a close eye on it & look back at your pictures to see if they are getting worse or not. If it gets worse then that means it is slowly coming apart. U never know, but I would expect it to start leaking before it would come completely apart. But it could very well let go at one time also.

I wouldn't buy a used tank if the seam looked like that so I know I would be extremely unhappy to pay for a new tank & the seam look like that

I see u have been a member for a while so u may already know, but if Uncle sees your thread & chimes in I would listen to him 100% because he knows what he is talking about. I know I have learned a ton from his posts in the past.

I'm definitely keeping an eye on it for now... until I drain it.

Hopefully Uncle can chime in! I've read his posts before and he does seem to be the expert!

Thanks again for helping me!

 

[Reef Dude]

I would love to hear what Uncle has to say about this. The thin glass, bowing, bubbles in seams, and how marineland only recommends supporting these tank around the perimeter (no bottom support) goes against everything we think we know. Yet these tanks don't seem to fail. I've read almost all of Uncle's posts and I've never seen him comment on this issue. Also, if you do get a replacement, the new tank will likely have the same issue. I've never seen a marineland rimless tank that doesn't have this issue of bubble in the seams once it's filled.

 

[BrooksReef]

I would love to hear what Uncle has to say about this. The thin glass, bowing, bubbles in seams, and how marineland only recommends supporting these tank around the perimeter (no bottom support) goes against everything we think we know. Yet these tanks don't seem to fail. I've read almost all of Uncle's posts and I've never seen him comment on this issue. Also, if you do get a replacement, the new tank will likely have the same issue. I've never seen a marineland rimless tank that doesn't have this issue of bubble in the seams once it's filled.

I'm hoping he weighs in on the situation. I showed the pictures to another LFS owner today and he said he's seen it on many tanks before and they've not had issues... still doesn't make me feel super comfortable given the responses I've had online as well as other forums. Most of which are saying to get rid of the tank ASAP. BUT, he did say that he would still submit pictures to ML (which I've already done).

Anyhow, I think you're right in that the next tank will likely have the same issue. HOPEFULLY it would be less severe than the current one... We shall see what they say. I've also read that people with similar issues have been told by ML that it is completely normal.

Uncle... WHERE ARE YOU?! Ha! :headwally:

 

[Crowed]

IME that happen when you apply to much pressure. They probably put a clamp or something there and press too tight, most silicone go out from that joint. Maybe it will not leak or separate later on but that is not proper way to do it

 

[GimpyFin]

I had the same 93 rimless cube for a little over 2 years. Same issue with bubbled seams, and FWIW, the bubbled seams near the top are almost guaranteed on this tank. I think if they used thicker glass than 3/8 on the sides it wouldn't happen. Anyway, I took pictures right after I got the tank and filled it and the seams dis not appear to worsen or have an issue in the 2+ years I had the tank (Eventually sold it). If you do end up swapping tanks, you'll likely have the same issue with the new one.

 

[BrooksReef]

Welllllllll, they're sending me a check to replace the tank.

 

[BrooksReef]

UPDATE:

My LFS is awesome. They're helping facilitate the replacement of a new tank. It'll be another ML cube, so I'm hoping this one doesn't have the same issues.

 

[BrooksReef]

New tank photos... looks similar to the last but less severe.

Thoughts?

 

[GimpyFin]

As I mentioned above, bubbled seams are pretty much a guarantee with this tank, unfortunately. (Besides mine, I've seen a few other ML 93 rimless and they all had bubbles in the seams.) That said, even though it looks sketchy, you likely won't have issues with it (Mine was fine for over 2 years until I sold it.)