How worried should I be about my silicone

I've had this tank for 6 years, and really haven't been paying attention to my silicone lately, but what I noticed have me alittle worried. The last time I really paid attention to the silicone was 4 months ago and just noticed a bubble on the side. When I clean the tank I never touch the silicone.

Now It seem like the fish been nibbling on this side of the silicone for some reason.




The right side of the silicone have a number of large bubbles. When I do a water change I press the bubbles and they seem hard. I didn't want to to squeeze too hard and burst them.



Should I be worried about the silicone failing cause the tank to leak in the future?

 

Did you buy this tank new or used? It almost looks like it has been resealed and maybe not cleaned well before adding the new silicon. In the second photo it looks like the bubbles weren't worked out before the silicon set up.

Personally I would be concerned if I saw something like this going on with my tank and would be looking to replace it sooner rather than later 'specially since the fish are picking at it.

 

This was a new tank from Petsmart. When I first got the tank and set it up, and didn't see any issues with the silicone peeling, bubbles, or any defects.

The first pic, it's defenitely the fish picking at the silicone. Not sure why they're doing that.

This weekend If I can't find a sutable tank, I may have to make a tough choice and find them a new home.

 

This was a new tank from Petsmart. When I first got the tank and set it up, and didn't see any issues with the silicone peeling, bubbles, or any defects.

The first pic, it's defenitely the fish picking at the silicone. Not sure why they're doing that.

This weekend If I can't find a sutable tank, I may have to make a tough choice and find them a new home.

It is strange that the bubbles are forming in the one seam after all this time. Before you do anything drastic wait for thoughts from others.

They are probably picking at it because bio-film is growing under it. I don't know how you could prevent it growing or them picking at it other than maybe cleaning it off daily.

 

I usually leave the silicone alone when cleaning the glass. I don't want to accidentally rub the silicone off

 

How level is your tank? Bubbles can happen only on one corner over time when there is more weight on that corner.

Either way I’ll be honest and say it looks awful. I’d replace asap. But I’m a careful person.

This is why I don’t buy glass. Silicone has a shelf life, a very very unpredictable shelf life. 2,4,10,15, 20, 25 years...who knows. But it will fail eventually. The average is 8-12 as I understand it.

 

How level is your tank? Bubbles can happen only on one corner over time when there is more weight on that corner.

Either way I’ll be honest and say it looks awful. I’d replace asap. But I’m a careful person.

This is why I don’t buy glass. Silicone has a shelf life, a very very unpredictable shelf life. 2,4,10,15, 20, 25 years...who knows. But it will fail eventually. The average is 8-12 as I understand it.

I used a bubble level and it seem pretty level, so not sure what's causing the bubbles, but the fact that there's more and more showing up is a cause for concern.

I made the tough decision to give the fish a new home this weekend to either someone in my city or to the LFS. Most likely I will reseal the tank, but use it for something else.

I will miss them. Tough desicion, but better to be safe than sorry.

 

Either way I’ll be honest and say it looks awful. I’d replace asap. But I’m a careful person.

This is why I don’t buy glass. Silicone has a shelf life, a very very unpredictable shelf life. 2,4,10,15, 20, 25 years...who knows. But it will fail eventually. The average is 8-12 as I understand it.

Update,

I decided to take a flashlight and look to see if there's any bubbles that's under the seams. It's alot worse than I thought. There's atleast two big bubbles that are close to the corners where the glass meet. I will replace it this weekend.