54 gallon hagen - silicone lifting/curling

[KLKelly]

My 54 gallon is hanging by a thread I think.  With two animals needing veterinary care,  I can't afford to replace this tank.  It's a Hagen 54 gallon with black silicone and has been in use for one year.  The stand is home made extremely sturdy and level.  The old Superpet Petsmart on Innes believes its a defect but because its not on a hagen stand its not covered under warranty.

The black silicone is pealing on the very top of front right corner.  The worst seem is the back right where the seal is actually curling on both outer edges inward on itself away from the glass.

I wonder if the black brush algae which overtakes all my tanks is responsible - maybe it gets under the seals?  I never go near the seams with a razor.

Does anyone have big enough clamps that I could rent or borrow? (I have a plan now - I didnt before posting)  Is this too risky to reseal a tank this size?  I wish I had gotten a 75 gallon at the boxing day sale now *Kicking myself*.

Any suggestions on why this could happen?

Thanks guys.

Karrie.

[KLKelly]

Actually never mind - I actually have a plan and its not an emergency any more.  I'm going to move them to a 30 gallon double up the water changes.  I forgot that I got an awesome "trophy style" tank at fishtails before christmas and I'm going to move the understocked 30 gallon tank fish into the 20.

I'd still like to know about the bba and the silicone seals.  or if anyone knows why this is happening?  Maybe black silicone is worse than clear?

[fishtail]

Perhaps if you tried this before transfering anything over -

http://www.aquarium-munster.com/eng/GB_16.5_Bed_Aquarium.asp

[Funkmotor]

I have a Hagen 40 breeder with black silicone and the corner seals have always looked like they were curling back in upon themselves.  I believe it was just the way it was made.

Makes it real easy for hermits to climb up the corners, too!

When you say it's peeling on the top right corner, is that on the inside or the outside?

[KLKelly]

Thanks for replying.

Where it is actually pealing is on the inside.  The top left corner - about an inch of silicone is pealed away but I feel silicone underneath this.  I have no idea what is going on here.  I'll have to look more closely next water change.  Maybe even post pictures of what I mean.

Maybe it is just cosmetic issues then and not a leak waiting to happen. 

I'll post pictures this week. (Hope the camera can get a good picture).  I just assumed black brush algae was wiggling its way under the seams and causing them to lift.

[bergenm]

I suspect they apply the silicone in a two step process - a thin bead to seal the glass and then a thicker bead to reinforce the seal. It sound like the thicker bead is separating from the thinner bead.

I could see them arguing the stand if there were stress cracks in the glass, but this sound like a defect with the silicone itself.

My suggestion would be to contact Steve Pond at Hagen directly (I believe he is still there) - explain the problem to them and see what happens - I have worked with Hagen for years and they generally like to keep the customers happy.

It can't hurt...