So I DIY'd this tank and the silicone job had some microbubbles in it when I finished. I just noticed today that it looks like this:







I don't remember it being this bad in the beginning, but it's been up and running for several months now. So what's the verdict? Is the tank going to bust or are some microbubbles ok? The problem is at the top of the tank, but the water level is about 3 inches from the top of the tank (as pictured).

This is freakin' me out.

Pretty please?

turn off your skimmer while doing a silly*cone job!

if my tank busts i'm coming to steal yours

Oh man your right that doesnt look good. It looks as if you masked the seams all off like you should have. I would do this. Take a pic ever week and compare.

look likes its just gettin wiped off... like when you cleaning try not to rub it.

the silicone in on the inside of the glass...there's no rubbing it.

Hey if you push the seam back together per say will the size of the bubbles change. IE do they compress? If not I wouldnt worry about it, If they do change I would be a bit concerned.

oh see i was looking at the wrong part lol

i would listen to ^^^^

Tried pushing with no noticeable change. I'll monitor it for the next few days. If anyone else has thoughts, let's hear them.

Thanks guys.

I wouldnt worry that much. Of what I remember about glass tanks its the silicone that is gusseted in the inside of the tank that does most of the structural holding and not the silicone thats between the panes of glass.

^^Ok, that's a huge relief. Can anyone confirm?

i have a few tanks that have a big globs of silicone all over some cracks, and they have some bubbles in them but are otherwise holding up. there is a ton on these tanks though, so that may not be the answer you are looking for. i think if cowkid says it is fine, it is.

Alright...I might glob some more on those seams above the waterline - it won't be pretty but that part is covered by the stand anyways so it's not a big deal.

Thanks guys!

while researching found on the spec sheet of dows 999
http://www.technologylk.com/images/pdf/Spec-CRL999a.pdf

"black bla bla bla is recomended for glass to glass butt joints because joints sealed with clear silicone may contain small amounts of air traped in the packaging and/or the instalation prosses"


aka the cumulative strenght of the silicone across the joint is not afected, they just dont look good.

just think of all those elos tanks that have micro bubbles, which no one can see.


hmmmmmmmm........

because it uses black silicone.