Failing seam?

[cranewberry]

This is my first post here. I’ve been in the hobby a while and have fortunately not had any seal issues to this point. I’m noticing this irregularity and bubbling on the left seam of a fairly new 29 gallon reef tank. It’s an imagitarium and has only been running for about 3 months. Should I be concerned about this? I’m noticing any leaks or salt creep yet, but I’m worried and I do see a little light coming through.

 

[EnterName]

To me it looks quite dangerous and I would contact their support for an immediate replacement and then look for an alternative.

Not a fan of them since so many reports of copper in their carbon emerged. I personally don't trust them at all to care about what they are selling.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/carbon-nuke-my-tank.1128173/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/do-not-use-petco-carbon.1124071/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/s/zZHrrY4N5o
... and many more

 

[smitten with ocean life]

@UncommonSense ?

 

[UncommonSense]

This is my first post here. I’ve been in the hobby a while and have fortunately not had any seal issues to this point. I’m noticing this irregularity and bubbling on the left seam of a fairly new 29 gallon reef tank. It’s an imagitarium and has only been running for about 3 months. Should I be concerned about this? I’m noticing any leaks or salt creep yet, but I’m worried and I do see a little light coming through.

Oh wow!

This definitely isn’t right… it appears that the assembler laid the bead of silicone too far inboard on the front viewing pane before putting the tank together…

— you can see the wobbly silicone line from an unsteady hand; only the edges of the wobbly bead were squished into the actual structural glass:glass joint…

— you may-well be able to see visible viewing pane bowing from top to bottom if you lay a straight edge top to bottom on that edge of the viewing pane…

— even if there was some out-of-level/twisted stand issue; the seams don’t peel apart like this…

This tank should have NEVER passed quality control at the factory!

If it was my tank, I’d reach out to the manufacturer with these photos (and possibly more) to request a warranty replacement be shipped out asap! (Warrantied under “defects in materials or workmanship”, for the latter!)


In the meantime, monitor these bubbles carefully; if any seam peeling is observed, the tank should be immediately drained and livestock transferred to a holding tank, pending warranty replacement tank’s arrival…

(that is, you should have a decent sized pressure rated container like a large brute trash can, bin, etc on-hand in the event that this tank starts trying to rupture at this compromised seam!)

 

[cranewberry]

To me it looks quite dangerous and I would contact their support for an immediate replacement and then look for an alternative.

Not a fan of them since so many reports of copper in their carbon emerged. I personally don't trust them at all to care about what they are selling.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/carbon-nuke-my-tank.1128173/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/do-not-use-petco-carbon.1124071/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/s/zZHrrY4N5o
... and many more

Totally agree. Imagitarium sucks. In a moment of weakness I bought the tank because it was on sale. Never again.

 

[cranewberry]

Oh wow!

This definitely isn’t right… it appears that the assembler laid the bead of silicone too far inboard on the front viewing pane before putting the tank together…

— you can see the wobbly silicone line from an unsteady hand; only the edges of the wobbly bead were squished into the actual structural glass:glass joint…

— you may-well be able to see visible viewing pane bowing from top to bottom if you lay a straight edge top to bottom on that edge of the viewing pane…

— even if there was some out-of-level/twisted stand issue; the seams don’t peel apart like this…

This tank should have NEVER passed quality control at the factory!

If it was my tank, I’d reach out to the manufacturer with these photos (and possibly more) to request a warranty replacement be shipped out asap! (Warrantied under “defects in materials or workmanship”, for the latter!)


In the meantime, monitor these bubbles carefully; if any seam peeling is observed, the tank should be immediately drained and livestock transferred to a holding tank, pending warranty replacement tank’s arrival…

(that is, you should have a decent sized pressure rated container like a large brute trash can, bin, etc on-hand in the event that this tank starts trying to rupture at this compromised seam!)

Thanks for your advice! I ended up getting a new tank and moved everything over last weekend. I didn't want to risk it and I got a good deal on a UNS 40 gal so I ended up getting a bit of an upgrade out of it. So far so good. Everyone is happy after the move.