Red Sea Reefer Seams (not another statistic?)

[Biokabe]

Cleaning my tank and preparing to take some photos, I discovered this on my side seams. It's not the front glass - viewing from the front, it's the right-hand panel.

I don't have earlier pictures of this panel, so I'm not sure if it's been this way for months and I just haven't noticed it, or if it's new and progressing rapidly. I've had this tank up and running for almost five years at this point, and I've been aware of the seam issues with Red Sea for a few years now (about a year or two after I bought the tank), so I do make it a point to inspect the seams regularly.

So... am I in "run out and buy a new tank tomorrow" territory, or "start saving for new tank" territory, or "don't worry so much" territory?

 

[BryanM]

For my money you're in crisis mode, yes. I have no faith in redsea tanks, and this does not look good.

 

[edsbeaker]

Looks very concerning!!!

 

[DHill6]

I’d save yourself a disaster and move everything to holding tub, I was there myself and didn’t waste any time on draining it. I used brute cans since I already had them for emergency purposes.

 

[UncommonSense]

So... am I in "run out and buy a new tank tomorrow" territory, or "start saving for new tank" territory

Somewhere between these two…

The seam guard is predominantly what’s damaged here, there is a tiny (~1-2mm) amount of intrusion into the structural joint in at least two spots, though…

I’d consider acquiring a holding container if the bubbles continue to grow…

 

[rockdiver]

Hmm idk might help if you take a farther away pic to show some referance of where this is at for me at least

 

[Biokabe]

Somewhere between these two…

The seam guard is predominantly what’s damaged here, there is a tiny (~1-2mm) amount of intrusion into the structural joint in at least two spots, though…

I’d consider acquiring a holding container if the bubbles continue to grow…

Thanks, that's somewhat reassuring... I do have some tubs and tanks lying around, wouldn't be a bad idea to get something bigger to hold as much as possible in one bin.

Hmm idk might help if you take a farther away pic to show some referance of where this is at for me at least

 

[exnisstech]

I'm having a hard time understanding how this happens only on RS tanks. I get the failures where the silicone separates like it just isn't bonding and has the bubbles form in the seam. My g2 reefer 300 looks similar to the OPs but it is a vertical seam. It looks like it starts as scraper damage but then algae forms and begins to penetrate the seam. I haven't own every brand out there but I've owned a few and I have never had algae start to eat through the silicone like it does RS tanks.
Anyone more knowledgeable than myself have an explanation why this happens on RS tanks?
I've had silicone peeling off the corner seams but nothing was destroying the silicone and compromising the seams integrity.

 

[UncommonSense]

I'm having a hard time understanding how this happens only on RS tanks. I get the failures where the silicone separates like it just isn't bonding and has the bubbles form in the seam. My g2 reefer 300 looks similar to the OPs but it is a vertical seam. It looks like it starts as scraper damage but then algae forms and begins to penetrate the seam. I haven't own every brand out there but I've owned a few and I have never had algae start to eat through the silicone like it does RS tanks.
Anyone more knowledgeable than myself have an explanation why this happens on RS tanks?

No explanation here, merely an observation:

I cut apart a nearly two decade old 1/2” thick custom glass tank, and a G1 Reefer 425XL within the same week:

— Custom tank: silicone was extremely robust, I had to use both hands on a construction razor handle, and “lever” the razor handle while a helper held the tank steady…

— Reefer 425XL (G1): I cut it apart one-handed with ease, by myself, using a mini hobby razor… the blade actually “jumped” through two segments of the bottom left seam with extremely little force!

Those segments indicated here:

Bottom pane:

 

[nickng]

Thanks for the explanation. It’s probably because Redsea uses a fast curing two part silicon glue instead of the standard 1 part acetic aquarium silicon.

 

[californiarob]

My recent Red Sea 425XL failure, I see alot of these posts where the seams split from the front panel near the top, after reading a spreadsheet on HumbleFish, my opinion is inferior silicone, the water pressure is low at the top but the lights will cause oxidation to the silicone.

 

[nickng]

My recent Red Sea 425XL failure, I see alot of these posts where the seams split from the front panel near the top, after reading a spreadsheet on HumbleFish, my opinion is inferior silicone, the water pressure is low at the top but the lights will cause oxidation to the silicone.

Yikes, the silicone just tore apart! It’s not even the case where the silicone glue peels off the glass!

 

[Julbra]

Sadly I join the ranks with my xl 425 seam failing after just under 5 years.

Details on my build thread:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/red-sea-reefer-xl-425-new-build.787478/page-6#post-14099693

 

[Biokabe]

Ugh, that sucks. That's in a worse place than mine was, and looks to be more extensive.

Mine ended up being slow moving and I probably could have taken a bit longer to get the replacement, but I'm not sure that you have that same leeway...

Based on how my transfer ended, I'd personally recommend finding a stock tank that can hold your livestock and then make a plan to house all of your livestock in that (following your regular husbandry) for an indefinite period until you can get a replacement tank lined up. I also wouldn't bother taking Red Sea up on their discount offer.

It's a lot of work and kind of sucks to do, but it's worth it to keep everyone alive.

 

[Jason Scalise]

My recent Red Sea 425XL failure, I see alot of these posts where the seams split from the front panel near the top, after reading a spreadsheet on HumbleFish, my opinion is inferior silicone, the water pressure is low at the top but the lights will cause oxidation to the silicone.

mine failed in the same spot in the same way. 425XL less than 3 years old.

 

[design.maddie]

We doing Red Sea Failure photos again? Mine was right under 3 years old. My bottom seal looked similar to Biokabe's OG photo.

 

[UncommonSense]

Here’s the above Reefer 425 (G1) that I took down for a client/reefing buddy… the bubble appeared randomly one day, and started growing daily…

He contacted me finally, right before leaving for a two week vacation… Glass reinforcements were (hastily) added the night before he left… they held, and we dove into the livestock transfer/tank breakdown as soon as he got back!

 

[Julbra]

Here’s the above Reefer 425 (G1) that I took down for a client/reefing buddy… the bubble appeared randomly one day, and started growing daily…

He contacted me finally, right before leaving for a two week vacation… Glass reinforcements were (hastily) added the night before he left… they held, and we dove into the livestock transfer/tank breakdown as soon as he got back!

What reinforcement did you use? I have ratchet straps ready to go but really worried applying pressure in the wrong way and making things worse.

 

[UncommonSense]

What reinforcement did you use? I have ratchet straps ready to go but really worried applying pressure in the wrong way and making things worse.

Yours appears to be a vertical seam, up near the top of the seam!

You’re in luck! This is the easiest place to put a temporary “patch” on!

— (in the event that you aren’t already aware) Obviously, this tank is so far gone that you should really be getting a large brute trash can, stock tank, etc ready to go for a livestock transfer ASAP, before you get the water out of it, pending a new tank going into place…


I used, and recommend others in emergency state with their seams to use three large bar clamps:

— between front and rear pane of the tank. Specifically using a lengths of 2x4 or similar lumber laid between clamp jaws and glass on both sides…

— the clamps are all equally snugged down on the lumber to be snug, not tight!

— the idea here is trying to create a relatively rigid “structure” around that seam, preventing the front/rear panes of the tank from spreading any further apart, and reducing stress on what silicone seal remains!

— you will definitely need 3ft bar clamps, given that the two lengths of 2x4 lumber laid flat against glass will add 3” to the ~23.5” tank’s depth…


I can’t stress enough how important it is to take this early warning sign seriously, and proactively take this tank out of service before it floods the room (and possibly more) with saltwater!

 

[Mark Goode]

Is this a private club, or can anyone join?

A four year old XL 525 G2. How long do you think I've got?