OK People with Red Sea Reefer Failures... Convince me not to....

[LARedstickreefer]

When you see worrying areas in Silicone, Post some pics, dont wait untill the last min. The moment you start seeing issues, its time to change

I’ll post some when I get home. They’ve been there for a long time (over a year for sure) and haven’t grown.

-Matt

 

[Tamberav]

Atfer Red Sea Fiasco i went with Cade. Now after seeing this IM tank leaks, i just terrified. So whats the gold standard? Just the customer built tanks like Glass Cages and Planet Aqua?

Just go custom. I went acrylic so I can rest easy.

 

[salty150]

Yeah I just saw that video and it’s wild it’s happened twice (might just be a bad omen for him with tanks, this is his 3rd leak in 2 years of tanks, a G1 Red Sea before that - super unfortunate). Haven’t really seen anything else besides his post though about IM. All that does is confirm that EVERY tank can leak. At what rate is what’s important.

As for taller tanks, they’re just going with the trend, most folks like the more shallow tanks now because it’s easier to reach into, it’s what the majority of the market wants, so it makes sense. For a taller tank the options is more of bespoke type builders like Planet, Glass Cages, etc, and not the retail larger operations out there.

Not exactly sure what you are relying upon for your statement that most folks like the more shallow tanks...

I would state the exact opposite... most folks like more viewing area...

Both Red Sea and Waterbox increased the height of their tanks to 25.6".

Waterbox can't even keep their largest tanks, REEF LX, in stock - they are selling so well.

Aqueon just recently discontinued their shorter (height) 180 gallon tank - and kept their taller 200 gallon tank.

 

[Tamberav]

If anyone cares my 80g seaphora was starting to separate at the top. I didn't notice till I drained the tank (was getting ready to move/upgrade). I had it 5 years.

 

[SimbaAnto]

Just go custom. I went acrylic so I can rest easy.

My next would be either Glass cages or Planet Aquarium. Hope my Cade goes for a while. Lets see

 

[Tamberav]

Not exactly sure what you are relying upon for your statement that most folks like the more shallow tanks...

I would state the exact opposite... most folks like more viewing area...

Both Red Sea and Waterbox increased the height of their tanks to 25.6".

Waterbox can't even keep their largest tanks, REEF LX, in stock - they are selling so well.

Aqueon just recently discontinued their shorter (height) 180 gallon tank - and kept their taller 200 gallon tank.

I see builds with both types of tanks. They both seem popular to me...

Maybe IM just wanted to grab the customers who wanted shorter tanks instead of having the same layouts as the competition?

I guess my rule is my tank needs to be wider than it is tall. So 24 wide, 20 tall, 30 wide, 26 tall... etc.

Well something being out of stock could also be slow production, would have to see numbers of tanks sold each quarter? by each manufacture and sizes sold to really see what is popular. It would be interesting.

 

[David_CO]

Atfer Red Sea Fiasco i went with Cade. Now after seeing this IM tank leaks, i just terrified. So whats the gold standard? Just the customer built tanks like Glass Cages and Planet Aqua?

Any glass tank is somewhat of a risk imo. Obviously Red Sea has had some more significant design flaws that have manifested in considerably more failures (at least based on info in public domain).

My opinion for glass is to avoid rimless to minimize risks here. There are tanks available with eurobracing on the top and additional bracing inside the tank on the bottom. IMO this style is least likely to suffer a failure all other things being equal.

 

[Bruttall]

As one of the people who Started a RED SEA FAIL thread, I did my research and never bought a RS tank, seeing 25+ pages of 20+ threads per page about RED SEA FAIL (I searched these forums after all) was all encouragement I needed to never bother looking at those tanks. I am just not interested in GAMBLING with thousands of dollars worth of coral and fish.

Here is my 30+ year old 300g OCEANIC. FYI Planet Aquarium is 2 former Oceanic guys, should check them out.

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

I am so sorry. Can you put a clam on it for now to hold it until you gathers your stuff to deal with it? Things like this would shorten my life a few years.

Maxima, Deresa or Crocea? Couldn't resist

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

So did you get a Red Sea? I did… I got a g2+ 750…just got all the little thing set up and it looks awesome beautiful tank! ….Looking at it this morning admiring how it looked and amazed my fish all made it… noticed something in the seam that wasn’t there yesterday… would you believe this one’s coming apart too???!!! I’m sick! The definition of stupid! Why did I think it wouldn’t happen twice!

did you contact RS yet?

 

[buruskeee]

Not exactly sure what you are relying upon for your statement that most folks like the more shallow tanks...

I would state the exact opposite... most folks like more viewing area...

Both Red Sea and Waterbox increased the height of their tanks to 25.6".

Waterbox can't even keep their largest tanks, REEF LX, in stock - they are selling so well.

Aqueon just recently discontinued their shorter (height) 180 gallon tank - and kept their taller 200 gallon tank.

25.6” is still shallow. It’s just under 4” taller than the IM tank. Gone are the days where people are looking for 27, 30, or even 36” tanks and instead people are looking for wider tanks with less height so they can easily work on it.

I implore you to read the countless of build threads with custom tanks started in the last 5 years and how much is mentioned that they chose a more shallow size because it’s just easier to work on.

No one here looks for an Aqueon to start a large build on. Aqueon caters to freshwater folks who don’t care for depth much and just want long and tall tanks to watch fish swim in. These days, everyone wants a close to 2:1 foot print with a more shallow height (24” or so of water).

 

[victoria casella]

did you contact RS yet?

Yes they got back to me right away… and are willing to replace it and give me $200 credit toward their products…. it cost me $500 to pay someone to bring the last one in the house and get rid of the other. so I asked them what am I gonna do with this one?… honestly I don’t know what to do. I’m getting older and this was gonna be my last aquarium hurrah…. I really don’t know if I have the energy to do it again. This last month has been hell and I haven’t even been able to enjoy all the money that I spent…. And what happens if it happens again?! What would you do?

 

[SimbaAnto]

Have been in this situation like I moved my tank every year and finally after settling for 3rd time , Seam broke. So yeah it is what it is. Just have to move on. The pain of moving, setting up, spending $. Yeah.

Red Sea is no way going to refund the dollar.

1.Sell this current seam affected for free to local hobbyist so they can reseal and use it.

And sell the coral/fishes locally.

2.Get this brand new from them and sell it unopened ( it's going to take some time)

Use the money to get a Custom made from Planet or Glass cages( they will take 12 weeks) so you have time to recoup from this and set it up for life.

But time should heal/make accept you and get back. Most of them would have been through this.

It's a lot but this is the best way in my opinion.

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

Yes they got back to me right away… and are willing to replace it and give me $200 credit toward their products…. it cost me $500 to pay someone to bring the last one in the house and get rid of the other. so I asked them what am I gonna do with this one?… honestly I don’t know what to do. I’m getting older and this was gonna be my last aquarium hurrah…. I really don’t know if I have the energy to do it again. This last month has been hell and I haven’t even been able to enjoy all the money that I spent…. And what happens if it happens again?! What would you do?

well I'm surprised it was a G2. It seemed to mostly happen to G1's. When I was looking people convinced me not to go RS and I ended up going the IM route. it's a hassle but I'd just go with it at this point.

 

[Rybki]

So I've read the myriad of threads here about Red Sea Reefers failing and ruining the world. I currently have an old school 90 gallon reef tank that has the overflow (this was from WAY before people drilled their tanks) that has caused issues to the point where I fear the stand's integrity is in question. Time to upgrade to a new tank. I love the look of the Red Sea Reefers (who doesn't?) and begin looking for a tank.

The new one's seem overpriced. I check the used ones and come across the threads here. Uh Oh! Red Sea Reefer tanks fail and destroy the earth, one apartment at a time. Some say it is the seam from the factory...others blame indiscriminate tank cleaning...still others claim their tank wasn't level or that the stand itself was bowed... all interesting claims from people who have never actually seen the tanks in question...

But the biggest commonality in the threads is that everyone "knows a guy" who had a Red Sea Reefer catastrophic failure. I spent an hour reading through and came across 4 legitimate, verifiable, stories of people with FIRST HAND experiences, and two of those were catastrophic, and only one had a photo.

Meanwhile, others refer to "hundreds of instances" but I don't really see hundreds of instances. There are thousands of reports of people seeing the Loch Ness Monster, after all. (Pictures or it didn't happen!) Since the next part of the story is a complaint on how Red Sea won't honor their warranty, I assume these people got photos, because no one is honoring any claims without photos.

I've been in the hobby for 30 years, with 20 of those at the pro-level. I've seen tank failures. If Red Sea is that bad, I would think that reputable dealers like BRS would drop them (Isn't BRS all about standing behind their hobbyists?)

Long story short - I want to hear your first hand accounts of buying a Red Sea Reefer that had a catastrophic failure. Not a tank with a bubble in the seam, or a story about a friend of a friend or a guy who was deleted on FB. Let's see these compiled into one thread. Please don't reply with your opinions on why you wouldn't buy one, or why you shouldn't get a used tank, or your opinion on whatever.

Let's show that Red Sea Failure footage!

Convince me, through your own first hand account, why I shouldn't buy one.

Hi
Unfortunately I have mine 3XL 900 taken down after 3 years of running, huge split on front right panel. It occurred within day or two I noticed when I cleaned glass,
Took proactive measures and took everything down to tubs, it is such a shame, so far no response from Red Sea.
I am considering give up hobby after 8 years. Everything is In living room, I am not sure how long I can support life in tubs. I got wavemaker skimmers, air and light going. It happened on august 1 2024.
I have beautiful grown fish so far I lost Hawaii yellow tang. Still have gem tang, convict tang , sailfin Pair of Japanese swallowtail, wantanabei angel, pair of pyramids butterfly, elegance fox face,
And lots of smaller fishes, corals colonies worth thousands. Difficult time for me and my family, kids are devastated. I wouldn’t buy Red Sea !

 

[VintageReefer]

First hand. G2 reinforcements

ANOTHER Red Sea Reefer Max Failure

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...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Northern Flicker]

Hi
Unfortunately I have mine 3XL 900 taken down after 3 years of running, huge split on front right panel. It occurred within day or two I noticed when I cleaned glass,
Took proactive measures and took everything down to tubs, it is such a shame, so far no response from Red Sea.
I am considering give up hobby after 8 years. Everything is In living room, I am not sure how long I can support life in tubs. I got wavemaker skimmers, air and light going. It happened on august 1 2024.
I have beautiful grown fish so far I lost Hawaii yellow tang. Still have gem tang, convict tang , sailfin Pair of Japanese swallowtail, wantanabei angel, pair of pyramids butterfly, elegance fox face,
And lots of smaller fishes, corals colonies worth thousands. Difficult time for me and my family, kids are devastated. I wouldn’t buy Red Sea !

This is hard to stomach. I really hope you stay in the hobby.

The fact that people still defend RS and buy their overpriced gear after this fiasco is crazy to me.

 

[buruskeee]

First hand. G2 reinforcements

ANOTHER Red Sea Reefer Max Failure

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...

www.reef2reef.com

Red Sea was just lying to hope to not to have to replace yet another tank. There was much done to the G2 vs the V3 G1 than what they listed. That’s very unfortunate they’d try to get away with something like that. I hope they give him a new tank with shipping paid for. The labor just to swap the tanks is already stressful.

My top priority, no matter the maker, always eurobrace anything 5 foot, and really I wouldn’t be comfortable with a 4ft like that tank without the bracing.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Concur with buruskee

I would Eurobrace any glass tank over 20 inches tall as well. Even if they didn't come that way

Go acrylic if you can't handle the stress of a glass leak. My first big glass tank cracked along the bottom back in the 90s. I still have nightmares about owning leaking tanks, usually when I don't have any set up

 

[Bruttall]

I wonder if any of these Tank Makers today that build custom would be willing to build a tank based on the old OCEANIC specs? Mine is 96 x 31 x 24 with 5/8ths thick sides and a 3/4inch bottom, 1/2inch bracing on the top center and in the corners.

22 inch wide 1/2inch thick center brace.


Corner gusset bracing.


Please ignore the Salt Creep, I have not vacuumed the top of my tank for a couple of weeks again, it's dirty.

I gotta wonder if @JoeGlassCages or Planet Aquarium would be willing to build on these specs again?