Waterbox 4820 cabinet unsafe design

[liam]

I purchased a waterbox 4820 peninsula from BRS during the blue Friday special last fall.
The tank was delivered and I assembled the cabinet,the instructions were terrible but I am a handy person and figured it out.
I have laminate flooring and had already added a sheet of 3/4 ply under the tank to make sure the tank had a stable surface.
The tank was leveled, and filled and I happened to bump the end of the tank,this was when I noticed the whole tank swayed significantly lengthwise a frightening amount of movement.
I reached out to waterbox with a video of the movement who proceeded to tell me that I probably did not tighten the aluminum stand properly.I assured them that this was not the case.They then said it sounded like I needed the reinforcement kit but they were out of stock and would send it as soon as possible but to enjoy my tank in the meantime.
So now I am thinking they know there is a problem and they have a kit to address it,ok.
So I waited for the kit to come, the kit was actually a couple of piece of extra 20/20 aluminum to add underneath the base of the tank which is only originally supported around the edge by the 20/20 (another scary part of the design) , the kit they sent me would not even fit a peninsula tank due to the drain layout,Waterbox told me to install what I could of the kit, obviously this did zero for the issue.
The issue is the skinny 20/20 aluminum is deflecting when the tank is touched the peninsula tank was doors on both sides so the cabinet panels add not structural integrity.
I purchased some extra 20/20 from Amazon and added to the stand put was unable to improve the situation.
Next I built a wooden chase between the overflow end of the tank and the wall in an effort to stop the movement which did work to a degree.
I continued to reach out to waterbox who had stopped responding by this point, they did eventually offer me gift card to offset what I paid for extra aluminum and wood for the chase I built.
There were several other issues, had to take a razor blade and cut the foam padding away from under the tank in the door opening as it prevented the doors opening,I adjusted them as far As I could,they give you one piece of lock line for the returns so all you can do I point the return straight at the glass 2 inches away.
,had a bowed door.To their credit waterbox did address these small issues right away.
However I am left with a tank which moves back and forth when you clean the glass with a magnet cleaner.
I find it strange that there are no reviews anywhere for waterbox tanks at any vendor including waterbox for anything bigger than a nano.
IMHO these tanks are dangerous,the stand is poor quality and not sufficient to support the tank, the glass bows out lengthwise so Is likely undersized also,I find myself worrying constantly if my kids bump it and the whole thing comes crashing down.The resale value is zero as I could not comfortably pass it on used to someone else when the time came.I have a video of the movement but it says it's too large to upload

 

[miles03]

I'm in no way an engineer of any kind but I have built a couple of stands out of 3030 aluminum. Just a thought the waterbox website says the stand should be 30mm aluminum. Which seems like a decent mix between strength to cost, I would use 4040 for that big of a span and tank but I'm overly cautious. Was the 2020 a mistake? Not sure how it would be but just throwing it out there. Got any pictures of how you reinforced it? Might cost a little bit more but I'm sure the folks on here can help out at least making it stable.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Its a little concerning that they have a kit for reinforcing. Says they know there’s an issue

 

[Salty_Northerner]

I've only got the 35.2 and the stand moves left to right so easy. Just using a magnetic glass cleaner is enough to cause the stand to wobble. I got ahold of WaterBox and they wanted a video of it to investigate further. I said how am I to take a video when I'm afraid to just open the front cabinet door? It's not safe and I could be injured and or have the stand give way and crash the tank to the floor then what?!

They replied today saying they're sending out a reinforcement kit and it's on the way now. I asked what it's about and they replied that it's a brace that easily attaches behind the cabinet.

Fingers crossed it solves the problem.

 

[mizukage]

OP what happened with the tank in the end?

 

[mizukage]

@liam hey OP were you able to solve the issues with your waterbox? Did you end up keeping it ?

 

[VintageReefer]

This is not the first thread where I’ve read about this, the stand may handle the weight vertically but any type of shear impact causes noticeable swaying horizontally

 

[mizukage]

@VintageReefer No kidding. What does that mean then? Are all tanks expected to have some sort of swaying or is it just these waterbox tanks?

 

[VintageReefer]

@VintageReefer No kidding. What does that mean then? Are all tanks expected to have some sort of swaying or is it just these waterbox tanks?

I have read several threads where owners of Waterbox with the newer aluminum channel stands reported they horizontal swaying and Waterbox denying an issue.

This is the first I’ve heard that they made a reinforcement kit. I have not seen any feedback on that helping or not, first I’ve heard of it.

Personally, having an engineering background, I like things to be overbuilt and do their job easily, rather then built “within spec” but working at 90% of their capacity. Sure the swaying might just be a little flex and the stand could be designed to be capable of having a little flex. But what happens after a year? 5 years? I wouldn’t trust any tank of any size on any stand that sways.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

I recieved my reinforcement kit for my stand yesterday and just installed it this afternoon. What a huge difference in getting rid of the accidental bump and sway of the tank on its stand, and best part was it only took 5 minutes to install without having to access the rear of the stand.

 

[VintageReefer]

I recieved my reinforcement kit for my stand yesterday and just installed it this afternoon. What a huge difference in getting rid of the accidental bump and sway of the tank on its stand, and best part was it only took 5 minutes to install without having to access the rear of the stand.

That’s great to hear! Are there any pics of what the kit is or how it’s installed ?

 

[Salty_Northerner]

That’s great to hear! Are there any pics of what the kit is or how it’s installed ?

Sure here is a corner picture. It's just the same aluminum piece the stand is made of, and goes from side to side and just bolts on.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

Here is the manual

 

[2Wheelsonly]

My experience with waterbox was also bleh... they really have no interest in supporting existing customers at all. I told them one of the thin provided seals started to leak on the plumbing parts they used (all euro sizing which sucks for us in the states). They basically gave me a "what do you want me to do about it" attitude and told me they don't provide plumbing parts or sell them and that I was on my own figuring out how to replumb the entire system because one seal was poorly made (was not evenly made and deteriorated in less than a year).

Waterbox is extremely over-rated in my opinion and their customer support is dreadful.

 

[danzig]

My experience with waterbox was also bleh... they really have no interest in supporting existing customers at all. I told them one of the thin provided seals started to leak on the plumbing parts they used (all euro sizing which sucks for us in the states). They basically gave me a "what do you want me to do about it" attitude and told me they don't provide plumbing parts or sell them and that I was on my own figuring out how to replumb the entire system because one seal was poorly made (was not evenly made and deteriorated in less than a year).

Waterbox is extremely over-rated in my opinion and their customer support is dreadful.

Wow this is really disheartening to hear. I have been messaging them questions regarding a 4820 purchase and their replies are really short, lacking any depth and just are really not very helpful. Really re-thinking a purchase.

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Wow this is really disheartening to hear. I have been messaging them questions regarding a 4820 purchase and their replies are really short, lacking any depth and just are really not very helpful. Really re-thinking a purchase.

My exact experience...kinda left me like "wow" after getting off the phone with them (had to call because they wouldn't answer my email). When I asked about getting potential replacement plumbing parts they acted like I was trying to build a spaceship and had no idea what I meant.

 

[danzig]

My exact experience...kinda left me like "wow" after getting off the phone with them (had to call because they wouldn't answer my email). When I asked about getting potential replacement plumbing parts they acted like I was trying to build a spaceship and had no idea what I meant.

You should ask them for the plumbing diagram for your model. I got one when i was just inquiring about the 4820 design. I guess if they are ignoring your emails that doesnt help. They seem like a sh*tty company after you buy their product from everything ive read online from different sources. You can tell how they have every youtuber and IG, FB personality sponsored they are really grossly corporate and obsessed with profits over all else.

 

[Ross]

I had a great experience with their customer service. Got a tank with a small scratch in it. They offered to replace it or send me a $60 gift card.

 

[Raptor72]

Man, you guys aren’t painting a pretty picture here. I dealt with RS on their 750 XXL V1 after it developed a bubble on the front seam after only 5 yrs. They basically told me to pound sand and I went with a WB 330 because I couldn’t find any negative reviews anywhere. The base for the stand came in cracked and they sent out a new one with no problem. I’m hoping yours is an isolated incident.

 

[AydenLincoln]

I love Waterbox and they have never let me down. The bigger tanks are the only ones you actually are forced to buy a stand with the tank. This seems like a few isolated incidents they have addressed quickly and promptly. Unlike cough* cough* Red Sea. But no company or product is perfect.