Used Tank Seam Advice

[UnnamedReef]

Hey everyone,

Got a used 120 gallon Planet aquarium that was running with no issues when purchased. It was in a corner, so I didn't get a good look at this particular seam. I'm buffing out some scratches and noticed this.

Towards the bottom the squeeze-out thins. It is smooth so it doesn't seem like damage, and doesn't lift, so it seems more like a manufacturing condition. In this image the tank is empty and the seams are masked while I buff nearby. Doesn't look like it extends into the structural area, no bubble behind it. The tank does have a bottom border for support.

I'm going to do a 1 week leak test before I add SW. If it passes that and the seams look fine after I'm inclined to let it go. Please ignore the cerium oxide in the tank. Thoughts?

 

[UnnamedReef]

Also the blue in the center of the seam is a reflection. The black seam is solid between its edge and the front panel

 

[UnnamedReef]

Bump. Looking to get someone's take on this

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm not sure what to say, it does kind of look like a manufacturing issue, though Planet is known to make solid tanks. Maybe the #reefsquad can take a look for you

 

[BryanM]

I'm paranoid here, and I'd probably give it more than one week if I was going to use it.

Doesn't look bad, but I just worry about seams.

 

[UnnamedReef]

Thanks for the feedback folks. I was nervous about getting a used tank but that's why I went for a Planet specifically (or IM/WB but I found this first).

I'll keep buffing and fill it when I can.

 

[UncommonSense]

Towards the bottom the squeeze-out thins. It is smooth so it doesn't seem like damage, and doesn't lift, so it seems more like a manufacturing condition.

This is somewhat normal, and doesn’t appreciably affect seam strength!

— these tanks are assembled by hand, so silicone application isn’t perfectly precise!

— usually, there will be a bead of silicone squished out along the whole seam, which is either wiped flat, or left to dry then trimmed via razor!

— if they don’t use “too much” in some areas, the glass edge bevel isn’t fully filled to a plane surface!

 

[UnnamedReef]

That is excellent feedback, thanks. I was hoping someone would look at this and have an explanation for the low amount of squeeze-out. Everything sandwiched between the panes looks good, so I'm going to roll with it

 

[Rocks reef]

Could we get pics from both angles? I'd be leary since when it black, it means there isn't a proper seal where the glass meets. Black normally equals air.

 

[UnnamedReef]

I'll grab some more photos. I'm not sure what you mean, the silicone is black? Has ~1/8" of squeeze out before the mating surface