Silicone wearing out or something

[SnowDay]

Hey so just recently I've noticed these weird holes in the silicone. Just wondering if it's a sign I should maybe re-silicone or worry at all?

 

[BigManAquatics]

I would certainly at least keep an eye on it and see if those holes expand toward the actual seam.

 

[jaysurf7]

Overtime silicone will wear it depends on how good the silicone job was to begin with and how long the tank been running. My old 60 gal that was running over 20 years started to get little tears in it and bubbles then one day it started to leak. I didn't bother with resealing i just got a brand new one. I would say keep a close check on that it doesn't get more bubbles and tears over time if it does you can reseal it if you want or if possible, get a new tank. It doesn't seem to be anything to worry about at the moment, but you do want to be ready over time if it does wear out more and not have to deal with tank leaking.

 

[atomic4877]

As others have said, I would keep an eye on it. If it starts to spread I would be more concerned. It almost looks as if something is eating away at it. I have had several tanks of the years and have not seen anything like that on any of my tanks.

 

[ProudPapa]

Of course keeping an eye on it wouldn't hurt, but as long as the silicone is intact between the two pieces of glass it should be fine.

 

[SnowDay]

As others have said, I would keep an eye on it. If it starts to spread I would be more concerned. It almost looks as if something is eating away at it. I have had several tanks of the years and have not seen anything like that on any of my tanks.

How hard is your water? Cause reading this made me wonder about our different water chemistries. I know my tap water has about 300-350 tds and if anything gets wet around here even just once there's always calcium stains lol

 

[John58ford]

I have seen this type of issue when my sons would use my metal mag-scraper. When I reached in the tank to feel it, the scraper had under cut the seal and tore holes in it.

Good news, the tank seams where glass hits glass don't fail often, and you can actually cut the inside seal, clean, and reapply silicone without having to completely cut the glass apart. They even make special blades for the job. I wouldn't worry about such things until you see an air bubble between glass contact points*and* that particular seam has a damaged seal.

 

[SnowDay]

I have seen this type of issue when my sons would use my metal mag-scraper. When I reached in the tank to feel it, the scraper had under cut the seal and tore holes in it.

Good news, the tank seams where glass hits glass don't fail often, and you can actually cut the inside seal, clean, and reapply silicone without having to completely cut the glass apart. They even make special blades for the job. I wouldn't worry about such things until you see an air bubble between glass contact points*and* that particular seam has a damaged seal.

Thanks so much I appreciate that!