ANOTHER Red Sea Reefer Max Failure

[smitten with ocean life]

thats great! im so glad for you!

 

[Cranie]

Always preventative care. You can create a top rim for it if you want, or since it’s dry flexseal the exterior edges to support it.

Please explain further.

 

[wjm6449]

Please explain further.

Well, I’m sure that if he wanted to, he could easily get acrylic, measure, cut, and bond the top creating a clear rim joist.

Regarding the outside perimeter, on the exterior you can easily obtain a clear caulk and caulk the exterior joints. Is it pretty? No. Effective? Yea. It’ll create more resistance for the tank.

Overall… I mean I wouldn’t ever buy a Red Sea reefer tank. Their other gear sure but tanks… no. But since he’s getting a free one shipped to him I would add safe measures.

 

[Cranie]

Well, I’m sure that if he wanted to, he could easily get acrylic, measure, cut, and bond the top creating a clear rim joist.

Regarding the outside perimeter, on the exterior you can easily obtain a clear caulk and caulk the exterior joints. Is it pretty? No. Effective? Yea. It’ll create more resistance for the tank.

Overall… I mean I wouldn’t ever buy a Red Sea reefer tank. Their other gear sure but tanks… no. But since he’s getting a free one shipped to him I would add safe measures.

To my mind the only real "protection" against seam splits would be a tight metal band/rim around the top and bottom. For my tank, full of just water, we're talking around 750lbs of shifting weight. I don't see how caulk would help at all as it's not for holding 2 parts together. Realistically even epoxy wouldn't work on glass. I THINK the only precautions I can take with another RS tank is to NOT go anywhere near the seams when cleaning the glass and not have powerheads on the sides doing any type of pulsation. OR..put the clamps on from day one

 

[wjm6449]

To my mind the only real "protection" against seam splits would be a tight metal band/rim around the top and bottom. For my tank, full of just water, we're talking around 750lbs of shifting weight. I don't see how caulk would help at all as it's not for holding 2 parts together. Realistically even epoxy wouldn't work on glass. I THINK the only precautions I can take with another RS tank is to NOT go anywhere near the seams when cleaning the glass and not have powerheads on the sides doing any type of pulsation. OR..put the clamps on from day one

Fair. However a tight fit acrylic rim would do the job as a clamp as well but yes. I’m not touching those tanks.

 

[Cranie]

Fair. However a tight fit acrylic rim would do the job as a clamp as well but yes. I’m not touching those tanks.

I'd certainly be open to doing it however I'm having trouble picturing what you mean. In my mind, 8 acrylic 90s that slide over the glass on the upper and lower corners would help. Are you thinking a full upper and lower rim?

 

[Zeefishies]

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)

Hi,
I have the same tank, ironically it as leaked in the exact same spot as you'res
i have drainned the tank and just finished sealing it,
i am installing a few 3/8''glass triangle pieces at the corner's for extra strength

 

[nickng]

I'd certainly be open to doing it however I'm having trouble picturing what you mean. In my mind, 8 acrylic 90s that slide over the glass on the upper and lower corners would help. Are you thinking a full upper and lower rim?

do you mean putting an acrylic ring/hoop around the outside of the top of the tank? like the red outline

 

[Cranie]

Hi,
I have the same tank, ironically it as leaked in the exact same spot as you'res
i have drainned the tank and just finished sealing it,
i am installing a few 3/8''glass triangle pieces at the corner's for extra strength

You're in MA? Where did you acquire these?

 

[nickng]

I wonder if there's a market for buying these leaking tanks especially the really large ones (150+ gallons) at throwaway prices ie ~ 100 to 200 and then rebuilding the tanks and selling/keeping it as effectively brand new for a fraction of the price of a brand new red sea tank. Plus also change to put in a proper bean animal or suitably sized 1.5" drain pipes. The redsea drains are a joke.. It won't even handle 1000 to 2000 gallons an hour without fiddling or being silent.
I don't see any cases where curing the silicon used on the glass need special autoclave/temperature-controlled ovens or humidity-controlled ovens. Please let me know if I am wrong!
I'm tempted to do this myself when I next upgrade my tank

 

[nickng]

Hi,
I have the same tank, ironically it as leaked in the exact same spot as you'res
i have drainned the tank and just finished sealing it,
i am installing a few 3/8''glass triangle pieces at the corner's for extra strength

Oh I am interested too, where's the source for the triangle glass pieces?

 

[Cranie]

I wonder if there's a market for buying these leaking tanks especially the really large ones (150+ gallons) at throwaway prices ie ~ 100 to 200 and then rebuilding the tanks and selling/keeping it as effectively brand new for a fraction of the price of a brand new red sea tank. Plus also change to put in a proper bean animal or suitably sized 1.5" drain pipes. The redsea drains are a joke.. It won't even handle 1000 to 2000 gallons an hour without fiddling or being silent.
I don't see any cases where curing the silicon used on the glass need special autoclave/temperature-controlled ovens or humidity-controlled ovens. Please let me know if I am wrong!
I'm tempted to do this myself when I next upgrade my tank

IF you get a replacement from RS like I am you have to sign a form saying you will not sell or give away the tank. Also had to remove the serial numer tag and cut it up with photos as proof.

 

[Solo McReefer]

What tank makers are putting their tanks in auto laves or ovens to cure their seams?

Never heard of such a thing

 

[LARedstickreefer]

IF you get a replacement from RS like I am you have to sign a form saying you will not sell or give away the tank. Also had to remove the serial numer tag and cut it up with photos as proof.

Terrarium it is then!

 

[nickng]

What tank makers are putting their tanks in auto laves or ovens to cure their seams?

Never heard of such a thing

yeah I didn't think so. It's not like specialised vacuum curing carbon fiber or Nomex material.

That's why I think rebuilding a large redsea glass tank is definitely possible. Ie reusing the good quality glass

 

[nickng]

IF you get a replacement from RS like I am you have to sign a form saying you will not sell or give away the tank. Also had to remove the serial numer tag and cut it up with photos as proof.

Well what about giving away slabs of not cracked glass from the tank?

 

[Solo McReefer]

A used Red Sea is going to have a lot of scratches on the glass. Mine scratches when I look at it sideways

If that doesn't bother one, buying cheap used Red Sea tanks would be a source of glass

Scratched glass bothers me more than it should. And I don't have any confidence that I could silicone a tank better than Red Sea can

 

[nickng]

A used Red Sea is going to have a lot of scratches on the glass. Mine scratches when I look at it sideways

If that doesn't bother one, buying cheap used Red Sea tanks would be a source of glass

Oh very soft glass then. Btw I haven't notice this on the red sea tanks I have seen at several LFS. Will take a closer look at the glass.

 

[Zeefishies]

You're in MA? Where did you acquire these?

Fall River, I just cut glass, but u can have a glass place cut some for u
I found that because of the aquarium being rimless it weakens the silicone at the top , and the pressure soon or later will push through

 

[Zeefishies]

Oh I am interested too, where's the source for the triangle glass pieces?

Go to a glass place and they will cut any glass u need