Red Sea 350 V3 Potential Seam Failure?

[AetherealKnight]

Hi there everyone!

I've had this Red Sea Reefer 350 forexactly 4 years now, I bought it In 2020. And I started to notice that the seam on the left side of my tank seems to be slightly deteriorating? Should I be worried? Is this normal wear and tear or will it lead to a leak in the future. Any ideas what I should do? Sorry for the not so great photos.

 

[Lavey29]

Did you email red sea customer service the picture for their opinion?

 

[AetherealKnight]

Did you email red sea customer service the picture for their opinion?

I'm in the process of doing that, but I got to dig around my email to find my invoice and check for my tank's serial number.

 

[Lavey29]

I'm in the process of doing that, but I got to dig around my email to find my invoice and check for my tank's serial number.

The serial number is in the top of the overflow

 

[Lavey29]

I see scraper damage to the silicone which is not uncommon but don't see air bubbles in the seam. My rank is basically the same age and I try not to scrape the corners. Yes coraline and other algae build up in the corners but just adds character to the tank in my opinion.

 

[AetherealKnight]

I see scraper damage to the silicone which is not uncommon but don't see air bubbles in the seam. My rank is basically the same age and I try not to scrape the corners. Yes coraline and other algae build up in the corners but just adds character to the tank in my opinion.

I do use an algae scraper but I don't ever recall ever using it that location due to it being too close to the sand bed.

 

[Solo McReefer]

What does "V3" mean?

In 2020, G2s were just starting to trickle out

My RS Reefer 170, I bought it in Jan 2020. It's first generation

The silicone is pristine, clean, and professional

The silicone in your pics looks like I siliconed your tank

It's hard to tell with your pics. They have reflections and flash reflections in them. I can't tell scale from them

 

[AetherealKnight]

What does "V3" mean?

In 2020, G2s were just starting to trickle out

My RS Reefer 170, I bought it in Jan 2020. It's first generation

The silicone is pristine, clean, and professional

The silicone in your pics looks like I siliconed your tank

It's hard to tell with your pics. They have reflections and flash reflections in them. I can't tell scale from them

I think it means Version 3? I'm not sure. But here's a link to the RS 350 V3.

REEFER™ 350 - Support page | Red Sea

Find all manuals, spare parts, sump drawings, FAQ & how to videos

g1.redseafish.com

I'll try taking better pictures without blue in my lights tonight.

 

[Aquavaj]

Looks like the silicone has separated a bit in those areas. Might have been the scraper but the last pic looks the worse since sand is getting in there. I'd stop scraping close to the seams and monitor if it gets worse. I'm going to bet RS will say it's fine but I wouldn't trust them.

 

[Hats_]

Maybe test if your tank is still level, i had mine shift after a while when I got it full of water. this could change how much pressure is exerted on the panels

 

[AetherealKnight]

Update: I finally got around to replying to Red Sea. They basically did acknowledge that the older G1 models lack armored seams and that there was a slight seam separation with my tank. But it hasn't progressed for any concern right now. For now they just told me to monitor. If it does separate further they told me to contact them again for the "next course of action." So I hope it doesn't split further, I regret not waiting for the new G2 models that have armored seams but oh well..

 

[steve_london_uk]

Got to love Red Sea's appalling customer service... "yeah just keep an eye on it for now... until it goes a day out of warranty and then you're on your own". Having just gone through something similar I'd demand a replacement now. It will go, the question is will it be under warranty when it does. If your car wheel is wobbling loose don't wait for it to fall off.

 

[AetherealKnight]

Got to love Red Sea's appalling customer service... "yeah just keep an eye on it for now... until it goes a day out of warranty and then you're on your own". Having just gone through something similar I'd demand a replacement now. It will go, the question is will it be under warranty when it does. If your car wheel is wobbling loose don't wait for it to fall off.

Well my Red Sea is way out of warranty already, but I was hoping they would do something. Anyway I plan on upgrading soon, so I don’t need to worry about it’s longevity. Unless it leaks within the next few months, then that’s going to be a problem.

 

[TerraMagnus]

Mine was just over four years old and then last night this happened. Same model.

Red Sea left us hanging.

 

[AetherealKnight]

Mine was just over four years old and then last night this happened. Same model.

Red Sea left us hanging.

Wow, now that looks bad, hope you were able to get all the fish out and the water as well before more spilled over your floor. That really sucks, what did Red Sea even say?

 

[AetherealKnight]

Mine was just over four years old and then last night this happened. Same model.

Red Sea left us hanging.

Now I’m a bit more worried because mine is a little over 4 years old and the same model as yours. Yikes.

 

[AetherealKnight]

Mine was just over four years old and then last night this happened. Same model.

Red Sea left us hanging.

Nvm I just saw your thread about it. I think I’ll be going with a different brand for my next tank.

 

[TerraMagnus]

Wow, now that looks bad, hope you were able to get all the fish out and the water as well before more spilled over your floor. That really sucks, what did Red Sea even say?

One fish unaccounted for. The rest are refugees right now in a 40 breeder on my dining room floor. It's less than 50% of the original water volume so it feels like a ticking time bomb.

 

[Jesse Sunday]

Nvm I just saw your thread about it. I think I’ll be going with a different brand for my next tank.

I hate to sound like a salesmen... But I went through the same thing and now that durability is my top priority, I am loving my @ESHOPPS.INC Mariner 130. This thing is built like a tank. (And it's gorgeous!) I have no doubt it will outlive me.

Just the throwing that out there.

 

[piranhaman00]

lol at “slight seam separation”. Seam separation cannot be stopped or watched. It’s starts and keeps going!