Black Silicone Seam White Separating?

[UncommonSense]

I just don't understand why it pops up when the tank isn't even half full.

Considering the silicone is structurally compromised, I think this is primarily a case of our old nemesis; water pressure! 433psi per-foot of water column…

Just out of curiosity; how thick is the glass?

 

[BloopFish]

Considering the silicone is structurally compromised, I think this is primarily a case of our old nemesis; water pressure! 433psi per-foot of water column…

Just out of curiosity; how thick is the glass?

Yes, I of course agree on that... but more wondering the exact specifics. Glass thickness? Poor adhesion? Cheap silicone? Poor glass prep? etc.

If I had to guess, 3/8" inch glass or 8-9 mm glass. Hard to tell because it is beveled. It is a discontinued model from this manufacturer. Front and bottom glass is marked as tempered. It is somewhat thin for my liking, but it seems that other manufacturers like do use 3/8" glass for 30" tall tanks for whatever reason. The tank wasn't even filled to more than 12" tall before having this issue, so it makes me think it is some reason other than glass thickness. If it was a 1/4" glass tank I'd be tempted to rebuild it, but this glass thickness does not give much room for error I think...

 

[UncommonSense]

Yes, I of course agree on that... but more wondering the exact specifics. Glass thickness? Poor adhesion? Cheap silicone? Poor glass prep? etc.

If I had to guess, 3/8" inch glass or 8-9 mm glass. Hard to tell because it is beveled. It is a discontinued model from this manufacturer. Front and bottom glass is marked as tempered. It is somewhat thin for my liking, but it seems that other manufacturers like do use 3/8" glass for 30" tall tanks for whatever reason. The tank wasn't even filled to more than 12" tall before having this issue, so it makes me think it is some reason other than glass thickness. If it was a 1/4" glass tank I'd be tempted to rebuild it, but this glass thickness does not give much room for error I think...

Hmm… the last rimmed 30” tall tank I took apart was .305” (7.75mm) thick glass…

poor adhesion and glass prep go hand in hand… it is possible that seam got missed during prep on at least one pane… I’m leaning towards either cheap silicone, or somehow defective silicone… — I’ve found myself using up a tube 75% into a bead or beads once or twice and switched to a new tube of silicone on the fly… something like that perhaps?

Would you consider adding some glass to the interior of the seam(s) to salvage the tank without fully rebuilding? (Assuming it isn’t returnable, that is!)

 

[gbroadbridge]

Front and bottom glass is marked as tempered.

I would not be happy with a tank using tempered glass for the front panel- I've seen too many disasters when they get bumped :-)

 

[UncommonSense]

I would not be happy with a tank using tempered glass for the front panel- I've seen too many disasters when they get bumped :-)

Tempered glass is exponentially stronger than float glass…

What was the last time you saw a “bump” shatter a car’s side window?

These “bumps” you’re describing must have been with something extremely hard!

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

is the “stretched” part in between the two pieces of glass? or is that the “squeeze out” portion?

 

[FishLvR]

I drained the tank last night. I double checked and made adjustments to make sure the tank was as level as I could make it. I started filling it up. Looked fine until approximately it was 3/8th full and I immediately started to see the "bubble" pop back up. I saw it spread real time and I grabbed my phone to show it spreading. It actually started a bit below the water level and started spreading upwards. It appears to be in the seam between where the two glass meets. I'm starting to wonder if this is water intrusion with the way it started to spread.

HOLY F! Great video. Yeah don't use that thing.

 

[BloopFish]

is the “stretched” part in between the two pieces of glass? or is that the “squeeze out” portion?

Its between the two panes and not the seal inside the tank

 

[BloopFish]

So like the portion that holds the tank together and not the inside that people often reseal.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

it’s possible the water pressure is causing the silicone to stretch. light indicates separation. that’s my guess.