RIP - Silicone Failure on RedSea 300XL my first "fancy" tank :(

[RedoubtReef]

Why? I would never go acrylic because of scratches etc...

Glass scratches too. You can't polish a scratch out of glass and the seams on acrylic tanks if done properly will outlast silicone by decades.

 

[piranhaman00]

Glass scratches can’t be removed , and acrylic does not yellow anymore.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Glass scratches can’t be removed , and acrylic does not yellow anymore.

Yes either one will scratch but plastic scratches oh so much easier.

Dealing with coralline algae on acrylic tank is not for the faint of heart.

 

[exnisstech]

Says only people that have never owned acrylic.

And clumsy oafs like myself that successfully scratch glass tanks

 

[GatorGreg]

Nah..red sea has been very desirable for quite a long time. Apparently this issue has reared its head within the last couple of years. Its a risk we all take with any of our tanks. Live, learn, reef on!

A risk we take?

I don’t know about you. But when I purchase something to be used for its intended use. At a premium price. I fully expect there to be no inherent risk involved. Maybe if this was a SC aquarium or a used Craigslist or a petco special or some cheapo eBay tank. I’d agree. But for this to be happening to well known semi premium tanks in the hobby is suspect.


Maybe it’s a risk you take. But when I build an aquarium I’m not setting up with its imminent failure in mind at 2 to 3 years.


Basically are we accepting the fact that Red Sea tanks are like disposable cameras? Use them for a period and them throw them away?

 

[d2mini]

I did start doing research into acrylic last night, all the stuff I saw listed clarity as a CON for acrylic due to yellowing over time?? Do you have pics of yours posted anywhere under white light and how long have you had it?

Plus it scratches just looking at it.

I never see issues with Waterbox tanks which I have had and liked and so far I'm very pleased with my Cade.

 

[GatorGreg]

being a nano guy I just don’t deal with the large quantities of water that you larger tank folks deal with and it’s just never been a concern for me as my tanks are under a lot less stress, weight and volume wise.

But I just can’t fathom setting something up in my home knowing there’s a large chance it’s going to fail and I’ll be out of 1000s upon 1000s of dollars and possibly have to do a rebuild in a room of my home. Maybe big tanks just aren’t for me in that case.

 

[billyocean]

A risk we take?

I don’t know about you. But when I purchase something to be used for its intended use. At a premium price. I fully expect there to be no inherent risk involved. Maybe if this was a SC aquarium or a used Craigslist or a petco special or some cheapo eBay tank. I’d agree. But for this to be happening to well known semi premium tanks in the hobby is suspect.


Maybe it’s a risk you take. But when I build an aquarium I’m not setting up with its imminent failure in mind at 2 to 3 years.


Basically are we accepting the fact that Red Sea tanks are like disposable cameras? Use them for a period and them throw them away?

Lol..dude..you have water in a box in your house..yes..the risk we take. Your tank is unbreakable like the titanic is unsinkable I'm sure. I'm not defending red sea whatsoever..just trying to make OP feel better about making the choice to go red sea in the first place.

 

[Bruttall]

being a nano guy I just don’t deal with the large quantities of water that you larger tank folks deal with and it’s just never been a concern for me as my tanks are under a lot less stress, weight and volume wise.

But I just can’t fathom setting something up in my home knowing there’s a large chance it’s going to fail and I’ll be out of 1000s upon 1000s of dollars and possibly have to do a rebuild in a room of my home. Maybe big tanks just aren’t for me in that case.

They do create some challenges, but there are rewards as well. Most people I know get "stuck" walking past their tank, I am no exception, I finally caved and just put the recliner in front of it, and tend to sit and watch that tank instead of TV, or anything else really once I am home. It amazes me how fast that can relax me and restore my serenity.

 

[GatorGreg]

Lol..dude..you have water in a box in your house..yes..the risk we take. Your tank is unbreakable like the titanic is unsinkable I'm sure. I'm not defending red sea whatsoever..just trying to make OP feel better about making the choice to go red sea in the first place.

The titanic was pushed beyond its intended use and was carelessly driven into an iceberg. It didn’t “just sink”.

 

[GatorGreg]

All I’m saying is that these tanks are designed to hold water. They should be able to hold water for an undetermined amount of time without failing after 2 to 3 years. You’ll never convince me that this is just par for the course.


It’s a design flaw on red seas part plain and simple. We’re not talking about a 15 year old tank here.

 

[billyocean]

All I’m saying is that these tanks are designed to hold water. They should be able to hold water for an undetermined amount of time without failing after 2 to 3 years. You’ll never convince me that this is just par for the course.


It’s a design flaw on red seas part plain and simple. We’re not talking about a 15 year old tank here.

I agree.

 

[Santiimari]

Lol..dude..you have water in a box in your house..yes..the risk we take. Your tank is unbreakable like the titanic is unsinkable Iy power failures, the TX freeze, etc that I never thought to expect the tank just bustin' open hahahah.

A risk we take?

I don’t know about you. But when I purchase something to be used for its intended use. At a premium price. I fully expect there to be no inherent risk involved. Maybe if this was a SC aquarium or a used Craigslist or a petco special or some cheapo eBay tank. I’d agree. But for this to be happening to well known semi premium tanks in the hobby is suspect.


Maybe it’s a risk you take. But when I build an aquarium I’m not setting up with its imminent failure in mind at 2 to 3 years.


Basically are we accepting the fact that Red Sea tanks are like disposable cameras? Use them for a period and them throw them away?

I mean, I feel like, if this had failed like, six years in or something, I would have been like "OK, ****** luck" (and obviously what happened is still ****** luck) but a TWO year old tank...bought brand new, it feels really, really bad.

Also, full offence to myself, but I'm just not at the point in life where I can easily and immediately drop another $1700-2000 on a tank, you know? I guess you could argue it's on me for not being able to afford a new tank like that when I know this is an expensive hobby.

 

[Santiimari]

Not going to lie my original goal was just a small tank maybe like a 50gal peninsula style. Maybe I will circle back around to that now that I have the chance. I always liked the look of the longer shallow tanks too...lots of choices to make now that I've been forced to hahahaha. Trying to see the opportunity here.

being a nano guy I just don’t deal with the large quantities of water that you larger tank folks deal with and it’s just never been a concern for me as my tanks are under a lot less stress, weight and volume wise.

But I just can’t fathom setting something up in my home knowing there’s a large chance it’s going to fail and I’ll be out of 1000s upon 1000s of dollars and possibly have to do a rebuild in a room of my home. Maybe big tanks just aren’t for me in that ca

 

[Santiimari]

They do create some challenges, but there are rewards as well. Most people I know get "stuck" walking past their tank, I am no exception, I finally caved and just put the recliner in front of it, and tend to sit and watch that tank instead of TV, or anything else really once I am home. It amazes me how fast that can relax me and restore my serenity.

GORGEOUS!!!!!! Staring at this to inspire myself again and get out of the big sads

 

[skimmerman]

I have a water box 180 seems well manufactured.

 

[c_ronius]

I thought I'd get at least another 5 years out of mine. Do what you can, I almost got rid of it all... It's a big expense to be blindsided with. In the end I love the fish enough that they are going nowhere. Best of luck.

 

[c_ronius]

I've had a smaller 40 gal IM tank for almost as long as the recently failed red sea. The IM tank and it's seams still look new.

 

[Derrick0580]

You couldn’t pay me enough to have a red sea tank, not even a G2

 

[Moronta12]

Any thoughts or suggestions for a different manufacturer ? I'll forever be paranoid no matter what but surely a tank failing in 2 years is not normal

Innovative Marine, CADE... those have good reputation.