ANOTHER Red Sea Reefer Max Failure

[Cranie]

A year ago I emailed Red Sea about the tell tale signs I had of impending seal failure. I was assured with

"Your current aquarium is a "V3A" model which already has the numerous structural updates in G2 such as thicker glass, extra fortified seams and reinforced cabinet. The only differences are the red pipes and ReefMat-ready sump.

The vertical seal is protected by a ~1/4" plastic strip, and it is the outside edge of the strip that has been damaged according to the pictures and we do not see any issue with the seal itself.

We recommend monitoring the area for any expansion into the seal itself. We also suggest taking great care when cleaning the glass near the silicone to try and prevent any further damage.
I am able to see some peeling at the edge of the seam protector but I do not see any issues with the seam itself. If you look at the front corners of the aquairum (on the inside of the tank) there are protective strips in place to protect the seam where the 2 pieces of glass actually meet.
The area effected should not cause any issues. Out of an abundance of caution, we do suggest monitoring the area and reaching back out if you notice any changes"

Well..an hour ago I hear the sound of water. But not the normal sound. I looked back and there it was..pouring out the right seal onto the floor. I grabbed a bucket and could see it slowly spreading down. I luckily had a HUGE clamp and put it on to secure the front corner to the back. The leaking has stopped but...now what?

I replied to that one year old email with a video and update. It is NOT a question of if on these tanks. Only when. I've got thousands in coral and fish in a room holding recording studio gear. All completely avoidable and unnecessary.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Dang -- have anything you can move the tank's contents into? I'm thinking like a large stock tank.

 

[cooltowncorals]

My last tank was a red see reefer, now I have a 300 gallon acrylic from tenecor, no seams to worry about, only 250 pounds easy to move.

After this disaster is solved consider acrylic every glass tank I have ever had ended up with scratches with acrylic you can fix it at least.

Wish you luck in your tank recovery read the sand rinsing thread it details lots of people successful tank moves and what to do. You will probably end up moving everything twice once to a Rubbermaid 150 or 300 gallon stock tank and once into a new tank.

Glass seams always fail eventually some at 3 years some at 20 years

 

[slingfox]

Sorry to hear about the RedSea troubles. I have a 525 G2. Only time will tell whether the G2 tanks will also be plagued with failure issues . . .

 

[Cranie]

My current temp solution until Red Sea contacts and sends me a replacement tank (I've been told by my friend who owns a local that is their remedy)

 

[Cranie]

Sorry to hear about the RedSea troubles. I have a 525 G2. Only time will tell whether the G2 tanks will also be plagued with failure issues . . .

Well being a year ago when I told them a problem was impending they told me mine was pretty much a G2 transition without the name being on it...

 

[Cranie]

Dang -- have anything you can move the tank's contents into? I'm thinking like a large stock tank.

No currently clamps have stopped the leaks completely. Now just waiting on Red Sea to do the right thing.

 

[gmdcdvm]

No currently clamps have stopped the leaks completely. Now just waiting on Red Sea to do the right thing.

Don't hold your breath. If it is out of warranty good luck. Mine was 3 months out of warranty and they offered a replacement at a discounted rate, but I had to pay for shipping. It just wasn't worth it to me to give this company any more of my money or take on any more of the risk with their tanks.
From what I have seen if it is under warranty they will replace it, but you have to pay for shipping.

 

[Northern Flicker]

There are 3 new leaking Red Sea tanks for sale this week in my area. Seeing them more and more.

This naive fellow thinks he can get some to pay $1000 to move their 240g Red Sea tank….jist so they can seal it themselves!

I don’t get why people are lying top dollar for these tanks still. They don’t look that much better than rimmed tanks. It’s the contents that matter.

 

[VintageReefer]

Wish you the best, I would look into other tanks

In the mean time Red Sea acknowledged the issue and upon advice from its customers, they have identified a solution to both repair existing leaks and prevent future ones. Simply buy this repair/upgrade kit and rest easy again!

 

[Northern Flicker]

Wish you the best, I would look into other tanks

In the mean time Red Sea acknowledged the issue and upon advice from its customers, they have identified a solution to both repair existing leaks and prevent future ones. Simply buy this repair/upgrade kit and rest easy again!

$30 on Amazon

Or buy the Red Sea branded version for the low price of $680!

 

[VintageReefer]

In all seriousness, you are lucky you had those clamps. I have a rimless build going on and while I have no reason to expect a seam failure, it can happen to any brand. I will be adding these clamps to my build equipment list. If I ever was in your situation, I currently do not have any means to do what you did to buy time. 50$ is a small investment and I could use them for other projects.

 

[Cranie]

Don't hold your breath. If it is out of warranty good luck. Mine was 3 months out of warranty and they offered a replacement at a discounted rate, but I had to pay for shipping. It just wasn't worth it to me to give this company any more of my money or take on any more of the risk with their tanks.
From what I have seen if it is under warranty they will replace it, but you have to pay for shipping.

Well my local who's a RS dealer said they are replacing failed tanks. Being I emailed a year ago and was told "it's all good" and still have that full conversation email, they will have to replace it. The tank is 3 years old now.

 

[Cranie]

In all seriousness, you are lucky you had those clamps. I have a rimless build going on and while I have no reason to expect a seam failure, it can happen to any brand. I will be adding these clamps to my build equipment list. If I ever was in your situation, I currently do not have any means to do what you did to buy time. 50$ is a small investment and I could use them for other projects.

I had them from back when I did pinball repairs. Need LONG clamps for repairing cabinets.

 

[Cranie]

Wish you the best, I would look into other tanks

In the mean time Red Sea acknowledged the issue and upon advice from its customers, they have identified a solution to both repair existing leaks and prevent future ones. Simply buy this repair/upgrade kit and rest easy again!

Don't laugh. It works

 

[VintageReefer]

Don't laugh. It works

I don’t see a problem.

Red Sea sells tanks that need to be clamped

Innovative Marine forces you to buy their stand which flexes and wobbles and needs to be reinforced.

Seems like standard corner cutting business practice here

 

[Solo McReefer]

 

[VintageReefer]

@Cranie

Could you get by with a 48x20x20?

I got a connection with CurrentUSA and can get forum members:

83 g rimless tank
48x20x20
Low iron glass on 3 sides, rear painted black
Ext ghost overflow
Herbie drain
26g custom glass sump
9g slide out acrylic Gravity ato
Overbuilt stand - handmade by cabinet maker in Cali, marine grade plywood and not particle board crap, whole thing skinned inside and out in marine grade waterproof laminate
4 vertical, full length, load bearing supports (most companies use 2-3)

Plumbing kit precut
Shipping to your driveway
1600$

 

[Tamberav]

Another one gone…

Glad you were around to clamp it. Imagine if it popped a seam when you were sleeping!

 

[slingfox]

My current temp solution until Red Sea contacts and sends me a replacement tank (I've been told by my friend who owns a local that is their remedy)

Where did you get these clamps? I may get some out or paranoia . . .