Bubbles on seams

[kipmando]

Hi guys,
Got a pressing issue with seams and micro bubbles.

I made a diy AIO with black acrylic and I believe it may be putting outward pressure on the tank seam, it's not on any of the other corners as best as I can get footage, I'll be tracking their progress but as you can see the bubbles are smaller and denser on this (let's call it front right seam).

Yes my undermat isn't 100% covering the bottom but I would expect some bubbles elsewhere.

Thoughts? I'll begin monitoring more closely the bubbles if they are growing in density or along the bottom.

Video below shows no bubbles on back right seam.

Front right seam, down and across and to back left seam.

Front right seam top

Bottom seam close to right side

Bottom seam closer to 3rd of way to center

 

[kipmando]

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

All I know is when people with Red Sea tanks encounter this. The seems busy open not much longer afterwards. I’d make sure I’m prepared for that! Also never personally sealed anything, but I don’t think this is normal.

 

[kipmando]

I appreciate that. I'm setting back up the two holding tanks and will be transferring everything back to these tanks (Rubbermaid bin and old redseamax) and let everything settle in as I'd like to monitor everything before we go on weeks vacation in middle April. Don't want to stress out my mom (who is going to be feeding the tanks while we are gone) with any sort of emergency leak issues. Or myself when on vacation. Plus the damage to the house....

Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend. Glad I'm just going to run the reserve play of when I moved everything up to this new location in the house (from basement up to main floor).

 

[Shirak]

Holy Cr*p that looks bad. I don't think an internal DIY acrylic overflow would do this. You are not putting any added stress on the seams than the water would directly. You said front seam and if I recall that is where the seams have been going on the RS tanks.

 

[Troylee]

Did you build the entire tank? If so what glue did you use? Or did you just add an overflow to an existing tank? Is the tank it’s self glass or acrylic? The glue joints looks like they were welded with Weldon 16 if it’s acrylic.. if those clear joints with bubbles is silicone then yes you got problems! If I’m seeing your pictures correct you made the acrylic tight to the glass so it makes sense if those are bubbles in silicone cause the acrylic swells as it absorbed about 3% water if cast acrylic or more for extruded! I’ve seen lots of people over the years do just that making the acrylic tight against the glass with no where for expansion and busting the seams and or glass panes in tanks.

 

[kipmando]

In defense of RS this is not one of their tanks.

I bought the glass tank new and did not constructe the tank itself, so it's all manufactures build and like I said the other seams seem to have full integrity.

I built the acrylic AIO compartments (and used Weldon) and it is not siliconed in place but sits fitted to the inner glass dimensions.


Troylee, this is very likely the issue, the expansion of the acrylic, showing up on the weaker of the two back seams I suppose.

 

[Troylee]

In defense of RS this is not one of their tanks.

I bought the glass tank new and did not constructe the tank itself, so it's all manufactures build and like I said the other seams seem to have full integrity.

I built the acrylic AIO compartments (and used Weldon) and it is not siliconed in place but sits fitted to the inner glass dimensions.


Troylee, this is very likely the issue, the expansion of the acrylic, showing up on the weaker of the two back seams I suppose.

That’s exactly what it is if those clear joints with bubbles are silicone. Acrylic swells a lot and has been the demise of many sumps and tanks for just that reason. I’ve been building tanks for over 30 years and seen it a lot!

 

[kipmando]

Any temporary until weekend

That’s exactly what it is if those clear joints with bubbles are silicone. Acrylic swells a lot and has been the demise of many sumps and tanks for just that reason. I’ve been building tanks for over 30 years and seen it a lot!

Thoughts on timeline? Do I have hours, days or weeks?

This tanks been running for almost 2 yrs at this point.

Temporary bracing ie ratchet straps help?

 

[Troylee]

Any temporary until weekend

Thoughts on timeline? Do I have hours, days or weeks?

This tanks been running for almost 2 yrs at this point.

Temporary bracing ie ratchet straps help?

I couldn’t tell ya a timeline.. as you can see the damage is already done and it’s holding still, so who knows… how big is the tank? It’s rimless I take it?

 

[kipmando]

50g and rimless

 

[kipmando]

50g and rimless

 

[Troylee]

I can’t see videos on my phone unless you upload to YouTube… a picture would work.

 

[Jasonak]

That’s exactly what it is if those clear joints with bubbles are silicone. Acrylic swells a lot and has been the demise of many sumps and tanks for just that reason. I’ve been building tanks for over 30 years and seen it a lot!

Wow crazy I had no idea, this info should be out there more.

 

[Troylee]

Wow crazy I had no idea, this info should be out there more.

I’m sure you noticed on your baffle kit you just installed the baffles are cut small “sloppy” I should say! If they were to cut them the exact width it would fit and be super easy to glue in place and then all the sudden the glass would shatter after a week when the acrylic swells.

 

[Jasonak]

I’m sure you noticed on your baffle kit you just installed the baffles are cut small “sloppy” I should say! If they were to cut them the exact width it would fit and be super easy to glue in place and then all the sudden the glass would shatter after a week when the acrylic swells.

I one Gazzillon percent noticed that!
It was actually custom made for my sump. The dude was super particular about the measurements and then I get it and its sloppy and I was like you gotta be kidding me all those super accurate measurements back and fourth and its all sloppy. He was actually really easy guy to work with I felt bad i kept messing up the numbers and he would be like are you sure and I would remeasure and I was like oh nope lol. Mostly it was just misunderstanding of what he wanted and where to take them from.

 

[kipmando]

I can’t see videos on my phone unless you upload to YouTube… a picture would work.

While I have you guys here, thoughts on if this bin will hold 50g without issue, I was thinking of adding a set of ratchet clamps to the top and middle to help with stability.

Also photo of tank for @Troylee

 

[Jasonak]

While I have you guys here, thoughts on if this bin will hold 50g without issue, I was thinking of adding a set of ratchet clamps to the top and middle to help with stability.

Also photo of tank for @Troylee

I would think it would be fine you dont need to fill it to the top if your super worried do a test run with a hose in the driveway first.

 

[Troylee]

While I have you guys here, thoughts on if this bin will hold 50g without issue, I was thinking of adding a set of ratchet clamps to the top and middle to help with stability.

Also photo of tank for @Troylee

It’s exactly 50 gallons so it should. Well 49.92 gallons to be exact. You don’t have to fill it all the way up anyways as long as the rocks and corals are under water you should be good to go!

 

[kipmando]

My concern isn't volume per say but if the plastic will bow out and possibly crack or tear with the water pressure and weight.

I'll do a test tonight and see about the bulking.

Appreciate all the help guys.