240 gallon acrylic used seams

Fishkeepah4 · Jun 18, 2021

Hello,
I recently purchased a 240 gallon acrylic tank and noticed the seams have some white spots and what looks to be bubbles. Is this something I should be resealing? Or is this normal?

No water in the tank, no cracks, 3/4 material. Used tank.

lapin · Jun 18, 2021

It is hard to tell if something is going on or the tank was made poorly. Air could have been sucked in during the bonding process. Its not crazing, it is between the seams. There are things you can do if you wish. Try to fill the big gaps with normal solvent. Or tilt the tank 45 degrees and pour a bead of thickened solvent (weldon 40) on the inside seam. Or weld sq rod to the inside seam. Or do nothing.
Read this for a bit more info.

FAQs on Acrylic Aquarium Repair and Modifications: Leaks, Cracks, Parted Seams

Fishkeepah4 · Jun 18, 2021

lapin said:
It is hard to tell if something is going on or the tank was made poorly. Air could have been sucked in during the bonding process. Its not crazing, it is between the seams. There are things you can do if you wish. Try to fill the big gaps with normal solvent. Or tilt the tank 45 degrees and pour a bead of thickened solvent (weldon 40) on the inside seam. Or weld sq rod to the inside seam. Or do nothing.
Read this for a bit more info.

FAQs on Acrylic Aquarium Repair and Modifications: Leaks, Cracks, Parted Seams

Is it possible to apply the solvent on the seam with the tank in place?

Fishkeepah4 · Jun 18, 2021

lapin said:
It is hard to tell if something is going on or the tank was made poorly. Air could have been sucked in during the bonding process. Its not crazing, it is between the seams. There are things you can do if you wish. Try to fill the big gaps with normal solvent. Or tilt the tank 45 degrees and pour a bead of thickened solvent (weldon 40) on the inside seam. Or weld sq rod to the inside seam. Or do nothing.
Read this for a bit more info.

FAQs on Acrylic Aquarium Repair and Modifications: Leaks, Cracks, Parted Seams

If I reinforce with square rod to the seams, would I still use weld 40? Or would weld 16 be fine.