!!!!!!!! Possible Emergency Tank Problem !!!!!!!

[bkiba]

Ok while cleaning the glass today I noticed some algae ingrowth under the internal seals in the tank. The tank is a 55 Gal (4 ' tank). I got it 3 years ago from a friend who may have had it for 4 or more years. It has been moved around in my possession at least 4 times (real house moves), I don't know how many times with the previous owner. I haven't had any problems with it, no cracks etc. Here is a pic.



The purple line I drew traces where the back piece of glass hits the front piece, the green line traces where the seal stretches out too in that part. As you can see the algae has grown past the seal and under the glass part. Should I be expecting a leak soon? I noticed this on one part of the back of the tank too! I'm glad I spotted this and I hear of all kinds of horror stories with tanks exploding. I live in a 2nd floor apt as well! Should I run out and get a new tank or will this one survive a few more months?

[sjvl51]

It will probably survive for quite a while. If I remember correctly, it is the silicone that is between the glass pieces that does most of the holding together. The inner beads are the secondary seals.

Vickie

[bkiba]

yea that is why i wasn't worried at first, it is starting to go under the glass - glass junction (past the purple line). I know the picture sucks I will try to get a better one. I was wondering how durable the primary seal is... it has barley begun to allow algae growth but how much longer? seconds? days? weeks?

[sjvl51]

It all depends...... Personnally, I would either plan on buying a new tank real soon or make arrangements to empty and re-silicone this one in the near future. Then again, it might survive a year or two.

Vickie

[bkiba]

damn uncertainty, damn entropy! I feel the same way... it is impossilbe to know really, just that it is inevitable (with any tank really). I will most likely do the new tank option... thanks again svl51

[Northtampatang]

The inner deal DOES do most of the "holding together", however, the seal that you see algae in is there to protect the inner seal. Without the protection it could cause problems. I'd keep my eye out for salt creep and be prepaired to break it down and reseal.

My 30 gal has the same problem, and I will be resealing it when I move in about a week, I first noticed it a couple of months ago and it has become worse fairly quick.