Would you use this tank?

[oscaaar]

So I have this 40g from Petsmart (Marineland) new. Assembled 12/02/25 but I noticed bubbles in the silicone before filling up. Would it still be safe to use ? I have attached as much photos as I can. Would gratefully appreciate everyone’s input again. Thanks

 

[ColorMeGone]

Looks fine to me but I'm not the one that will have to deal with it if it leaks out.

 

[UncommonSense]

So I have this 40g from Petsmart (Marineland) new. Assembled 12/02/25 but I noticed bubbles in the silicone before filling up.

While it’s likely it would still survive a pressure test, and an unknown number of years in operation… it honestly looks to have been assembled poorly… like the silicone bead was laid too far from the pane edge, and/or too small in diameter during assembly, leaving a minimum of silicone in the structural seam… that said, we can’t see how well or poorly all four bottom seams were done by presumably the same builder…

I would say it’s worth getting it swapped out, assuming it’s still got the original sticker on it to be returned? — these companies know better than to let this stuff pass QC…

 

[Fish Fan]

I'd run that tank, but my bar for sketchy tanks is quite low

Good luck!

 

[oscaaar]

While it’s likely it would still survive a pressure test, and an unknown number of years in operation… it honestly looks to have been assembled poorly… like the silicone bead was laid too far from the pane edge, and/or too small in diameter during assembly, leaving a minimum of silicone in the structural seam… that said, we can’t see how well or poorly all four bottom seams were done by presumably the same builder…

I would say it’s worth getting it swapped out, assuming it’s still got the original sticker on it to be returned? — these companies know better than to let this stuff pass QC…

Sadly I drilled it before I notice it lol so warranty or return lowkey done

 

[UncommonSense]

Sadly I drilled it before I notice it lol so warranty or return lowkey done

Ah well! I’m sure it’ll survive, assuming the bottom seams don’t look completely dry of silicone on the tank interior?

 

[oscaaar]

Ah well! I’m sure it’ll survive, assuming the bottom seams don’t look completely dry of silicone on the tank interior?

The inside looks neat and evenly spread. How about this tank ? Would you says it’s better than the other ?

 

[UncommonSense]

The inside looks neat and evenly spread. How about this tank ? Would you says it’s better than the other ?

This looks almost like it’s trying to peel apart! I’d need a more focused photo or two to say for sure, but neither one looks like the finest work from even big box store tanks!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'd run that tank, but my bar for sketchy tanks is quite low

Good luck!

I feel like mine is as well! As long as it's purely cosmetic damage and nothing structural, I say run the tank

 

[oscaaar]

This looks almost like it’s trying to peel apart! I’d need a more focused photo or two to say for sure, but neither one looks like the finest work from even big box store tanks!

Not sure if these help. So far it hasn’t leaked it’s been 24hrs holding water

 

[UncommonSense]

Not sure if these help. So far it hasn’t leaked it’s been 24hrs holding water

Oh wow! Yeah this one’s compromised!

Can you see how that cloudiness terminates at a curved line, spreading into the structural silicone between abutted glass panes?

— the long pane(s) are bowing horizontally, peeling the seams apart from the center-out!

— it’s hard to tell from photos, but this is usually caused by a paper-thin silicone film in the structural seam which cannot stretch enough to accommodate the glass deflection, or from the tank being constructed of glass that is simply too thin for the application (deflection)….

Are you able to tell how thick the long vertical panes are? — usually you can find a glass pane edge in the vertical corners of the tank! (I would expect at least 6mm [.232”] for a 40b)

 

[oscaaar]

Oh wow! Yeah this one’s compromised!

Can you see how that cloudiness terminates at a curved line, spreading into the structural silicone between abutted glass panes?

— the long pane(s) are bowing horizontally, peeling the seams apart from the center-out!

— it’s hard to tell from photos, but this is usually caused by a paper-thin silicone film in the structural seam which cannot stretch enough to accommodate the glass deflection, or from the tank being constructed of glass that is simply too thin for the application (deflection)….

Are you able to tell how thick the long vertical panes are? — usually you can find a glass pane edge in the vertical corners of the tank! (I would expect at least 6mm [.232”] for a 40b)

Dang , it’s the petco new tanks

 

[UncommonSense]

Dang , it’s the petco new tanks

It’s a shame to see… they used to be a reliable bet for those trying to get into the hobby on a budget… without having to do research on how to manually do one’s own QC…

Well, all I can say for anyone who’s getting a new petco/petsmart tank is to pressure test it before putting it into service! — clearly their build quality is rapidly degrading…

 

[oscaaar]

It’s a shame to see… they used to be a reliable bet for those trying to get into the hobby on a budget… without having to do research on how to manually do one’s own QC…

Well, all I can say for anyone who’s getting a new petco/petsmart tank is to pressure test it before putting it into service! — clearly their build quality is rapidly degrading…

I’m afraid to try the petsmart marineland one and see. I feel like when I previously tested it I had a bunch of micro bubbles aswell.

 

[UncommonSense]

I’m afraid to try the petsmart marineland one and see. I feel like when I previously tested it I had a bunch of micro bubbles aswell.

Hmm… put it in for another round of pressure testing? Get a photo and a really good look at the structural seams before and after filling?

 

[oscaaar]

Hmm… put it in for another round of pressure testing? Get a photo and a really good look at the structural seams before and after filling?

So I got a new tank I returned the other one. Seems to look better imo. But what do you think ? Tried to take a good enough photo. Will leak test aswell later

 

[UncommonSense]

But what do you think ?

I think it definitely looks better! — the seam in the first pic might be assembled a bit too tightly at the top, but a pressure test will tell you that!

 

[Dom]

Its fine; enjoy it.