Re: Tank seal – 09/03/09
Have I offended you guys somehow?
<Mmm, don't think so>
Maybe I simply wasn't clear enough in my question. I replied to a previous email from the crew with an update question two weeks ago and have yet to hear back. I thought maybe I'd rephrase here.
<Okay! I do think, BTW, that I'd remember your email if I saw it... Have a friend here in San Diego with a son with your same name. For you and browsers... our ding dang (pardon my language) spam-sorter has a "mind of its own"... and though I try (when I do it) to sort through what it has pulled for discarding; methinks a good deal of real mail is not getting to us>
I put together a glass only tank a year ago and filled it up to test. It did hold water for about 2 months. So I decided to drain it in preparation for moving it into the house to set up. At that point I noticed some fatigue/stress in the glass to glass seams. I emailed pictures and the verdict was that the risk was too great. I subsequently let it sit until I could decide what to do next. One option was to cut the seams, separate the glass, clean, and reseal.
<Am with you so far>
I haven't done that to date and frankly, it looks to be a nearly impossible job.
<Nah, just a pain in the keester... have done it a few times m'self>
I have a glass workers special tool that he said I could use to cut the seam (basically, a glorified razor blade with an extended handle). But there is essentially no gap in the glass to glass silicone seal. I view this as very difficult if not nearly impossible to separate as I wouldn't even be able to get the razor blade in between the glass panes in order to separate.
<Mmm... with care to not cut yourself, such blades can be forced... actually do make a gap...>
One other thought I had was that perhaps I might just take off the inner seal, glue in another full pane of glass next to the original side panel of the aquarium, and then redo the interior seams.
<A worthwhile possibility!>
It seems to me this would reduce some of the pressure load on the original piece of glass, basically an extended bracing job. I just don't know if this will work or not.
<I do think it would. Such repairs are done on Acrylic tanks that fail... with good success>
In your experience, has this type of action been done successfully and saved a tank from catastrophic failure?
<Am not familiar with such attempts with glass... but don't see why it would not work>
I know it wouldn't be the most visually appealing tank (at least from the side), but would it provide the desired functionality?
<If in a back corner or corners not likely obvious at all... and if done well in all four corners, might well be ornamental in appearance... In all cases, in time I doubt anyone will notice.>
Tank was 1/2" thick all panes. 72" L x30" W x29" H all panels resting on a tempered glass bottom panel. Side panes in between front and back panes
of glass.
<Do please take some pix of the before and after job and send them along for others edification. Bob Fenner>
re: tank seal
Wow, quick reply. Thank you. I'll let you know how it turns out.
<Please do Mike. BobF>

Washing Newly Built Tank 7/9/09
I have just built my first aquarium, and I was wondering what the best thing to wash it with to make sure there are no toxins coming from the silicone? (before I put my fish in it)
<No need to wash with anything, just allow the silicone to fully cure and rinse out the tank with fresh water.
James (Salty Dog)>

Sealant, for FW decor and SW tank f's  7/7/09
Dear Mr. Fenner,
In the Daily FAQ's today I noticed a question about aquarium safe silicone. While 100% silicone is most often perfectly safe, I'd like to point out that trace ingredients and curing agents do not factor into this analysis (pigments also may leach into water). In my experience, GE Silicone 1 Clear WITHOUT Bioseal is the fastest-curing, strongest, and safest silicone (no, I'm not paid by GE). I believe this is a slight variant of the All-Glass tank silicone, which is contracted out to GE.
Just my 2 cents,
Will N.
<Thanks much for this input Will. Will post, accumulate. BobF>

Small hole in silicone bubble [Scott V] 6/11/09
Hey Scott, how's it going???
<Great! Hello Jeremiah.>
How is the "without borders" thing going for ya??
<Wearing, but recovering, just about there.>
Well figured I'd give an update and of course ask another question hehe!?
Finally picked up a 75 gallon Starphire tank from Glasscages down in TN.
Got all my plumbing stuff from Mike, got all excited, started filling it, letting it run with water. The Starphire looks so good you really can't tell there is water in it!
<It is some neat glass.>
Unfortunately the guy drilled the closed loop hole in the wrong spot, there was a few scratches on the glass, 2 in the front, all over the top brace, all the silicone looked like my 1st grader did it and the list goes on. I can deal with all this so far though, I was warned by you and others that it wasn't top notch finish work.
<I could tell you of many similar stories.>
Well I noticed there were a few bubbles in the silicone between the 2" glass brace that goes all the way around the bottom and the bottom pane of glass on the inside. One of those bubbles has a hole the size of a pin head in it and leaks a very small amount of water between the glass panes, not reaching the outside where I can feel it or anything though.
<Between the glass panes, panels of the tank, or between the panel of the tank and this goofy brace?>
The bubble is about 1/8" wide. Question....how do you recommend I fix it?
<I would not.>
I don't want it to get any worse! Will silicone adhere to silicone, can I just fill the small hole or silicone completely over the bubble to where the silicone reaches uncaulked glass?
<Silicone does not really adhere to already cured silicone. I would extend this beyond a bit if you can.>
Should I silicone over the other bubbles just in case? What do you suggest?
Thanks in advance again for your help in? another tank trauma!!!? Chat soon.
<If the seam between the actual panels of the tank is ok and intact I really would not worry at all about this. I do suspect what you are saying is it is leaking between the brace along the bottom and the tank? These braces are not really needed, installed along the wrong plane to prevent the deflection they are meant to prevent anyhow. IF it is indeed letting water in between the actual panels of the tank DO call Glass-Cages ASAP.
It is a manufacturing defect that should be taken care of. You can yourself, but it is so much work, this is why you paid somebody else to do it!>
Jeremiah
<Talk soon>

Re: Small hole in silicone bubble [Scott V] 6/11/09
Hey Scott, good to hear everything is going good and thanks for the reply!
<Welcome.>
Ok, Yes it is a goofy brace, and I've already let Glasscages know, they replied with a one line incomplete sentence saying "you didn't say it was leaking, just that you seen a bubble?" AAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!? When you said "I do suspect what you are saying is it is leaking between the brace along the bottom and the tank?" YES, it is above the bottom panel, below the stupid brace, the hole being on the inside of the tank! Not actually coming out where the tank panels meet. I could see the water between panes, granted its a small amount, but I got a little nervous thinking it would eventually get/make things worse etc! That's why I wanted to fix/correct the problem now while its small. So you think this won't be a problem?
<Not at all, this brace does not even need to be there.>
Fingers crossed!!! You are absolutely right kind sir, that is why I paid them, unfortunately, with their BBB score of F, they are less than easy to deal with! So ultimately, whatever problems I end up having with this tank, they ARE MY problems and my problems alone.
<Unfortunately this again is what I hear re.>
I'm starting to think to heck with gambling with my Starphire and going and getting a stock tank and drilling it myself.
<This is their big draw, a cheap source of Starphire.>
I don't know, I just don't want to get knee deep in this hobby etc and start having tank malfunctions and have to start all over again. Is this the reef blues? Gives complete meaning to, if its not one thing...its another! Thanks again Scott!
Talk with ya soon man! A maybe future reefer!
<Welcome my friend. Do not let this concern/worry you. It is just a cosmetic issue. Of all the things I have heard over the years about this company I have never heard one single story of any of their tanks failing.
Scott V.>

Re: Misaligned seams  02/08/09 Mr. Fenner, <Luke> Here are a couple pictures of the seam that is misaligned (first two pictures). I also attached two pictures of a small defect/crack on the edge of the other side panel where it joins with the front panel (last two pictures) that I noticed shortly after I had it filled and stocked about a year ago, but I thought I would get your expert opinion on this one as well. <This crack is more problematical... appears to be about mid way in depth... I would Silicon a small piece of glass (maybe two inches wide) over this area, about six or more inches in height... over the area, flush to the edge, on the outside> It caused a small bubble in the silicone, and has showed no signs of expanding. I appreciate your advice. I bought the tank with little experience unfortunately and not realizing a thorough inspection was so important. But the more I have read, the more I start noticing things and I wanted a little reassurance on these two flaws. Thank you so much for your quick reply! Luke <The misalignment itself is not a worry here. Bob Fenner>  Re: Misaligned seams  02/08/09 Mr. Fenner, <Msieu Krispinsky> In your experience, have you seen cracks like that lead to complete failure of the seam or just a leak if not reinforced? This should be my last question. Thanks again! Luke <Rarely... but on a few occasions... ergo, best to make a comment, be "safer" than sorry. Understanzee? BobF> Re: Misaligned seams  02/08/09 Say no more....thank you sir. <Welcome Luke. BobF>