EMERGENCY TANK FAILURE RED SEA REEFER

[Tamberav]

I have a 1st gen rsr 350. I am starting to see some water creep into the seam on the right side. I sent pics to Red Sea but the tank is out of factory warranty by 8 months.

They offered me $800 for a whole new tank and stand. I told them I only wanted the display tank and not the stand b.c I will do my own plumbing underneath. They said that is not an available option. Unfortunately, I am not ready to commit $3k to another tank.

Well that sucks..

Sounds like you need to take it down though. Petco sales is going and their tanks are more reliable

 

[VintageReefer]

Time stamp: 1:45:00 onwards

Thank you for sharing this. Curious, what about the bottom seam that so many have issues with? Would a internal eurobrace along the front bottom edge prevent the seam failure issues ?

 

[FortyFour44]

I have a 1st gen rsr 350. I am starting to see some water creep into the seam on the right side. I sent pics to Red Sea but the tank is out of factory warranty by 8 months.

They offered me $800 for a whole new tank and stand. I told them I only wanted the display tank and not the stand b.c I will do my own plumbing underneath. They said that is not an available option. Unfortunately, I am not ready to commit $3k to another tank.

It’s possible the stand caused the leak so I’m not sure you’ll want to use the same stand, if that is what you are thinking.

 

[FortyFour44]

This seems much more useful than individual corners. Note that it supports the entire length of the panel and has a middle brace from front to back.

...of course this also converts a rimless tank to a rimmed tank. Might be counterproductive since the tank was likely purchased rimless intentionally to avoid the less-preferred aesthetic of rims.

I would’ve killed to have a rim today. Just saying.

 

[braaap]

Thanks everyone. Red Sea called me directly shortly after submitting the ticket and are trying to help. ~3 months out of warranty and they want to honor it with their new model. They weren’t able to tell me that their seem technology has been improved, but did reference various structural improvements to stand and tank construction. To be honest I’m uneasy moving forward with another Red Sea tank, but the customer service and optimism about their new design is weighing strong compared to starting over with another brand and the associated costs/logistics

Have totes on hand and weighing options. Need to better understand timing of
replacement. Tape is holding for now and water level is just high enough for corals and inhabitants when moving things around.

Want to save media in the sump so moving that in tank as well.

Need to make sure heaters and probes are situated so I don’t cook the tank.

Not out of the weeds yet but thankful for being able to turn to this forum for logistical (and honestly emotional) support. I called BRS too, and they answered.

If a mod can fix the title of the thread that would be appreciated as well. (Title fixed)

Hate to say it but do not use another Red Sea tank. We see these posts weekly. The G2s are failing as well.

 

[EmdeReef]

Not a lawyer but curious why would this be different than any other product liability? If you bought a faulty space heater and it burned down your house your insurance or you would likely have a claim against the manufacturer, no?

 

[piranhaman00]

Ummm really? Is this like a daily occurrence?

 

[Amphibious Wallet]

What is your biggest fish in that tank? I have seen a trend of RS tanks getting massive leaks like that due to the stocking of larger fauna.

If this were the case, wavemakers would be blowing the stands to smithereens.

 

[Gizmoreef]

Ummm really? Is this like a daily occurrence?

Well kinda. Red Sea tanks are obviously very popular so problems are more easily to surface, however, the rate at which they surface is very alarming and there does really seem to be a QC issue with the seams. Everyone reports the same failures.

I don't think I ever see these types of threads with IM or Wb tanks and those are also pretty popular.
It's probably less bad than we assume because happy customers don't post but since the only types of failure threads we see are actually Red Sea tanks, that is very concerning. Usually where there is smoke, there is a fire.

 

[Doctorgori]

Just curious: does anyone have data on Red Sea sales vs returns?
Curious what the actual fail rate is removing drama/speculation/bias et

 

[Tamberav]

I would’ve killed to have a rim today. Just saying. And yes that probably sounds hilarious to anyone just chiming in.

Rimmed tanks have their perks. Besides helping prevent failure, they prevent salt splash and limit jumpers and things. I don’t find a clear rim any more obtrusive than a lid. It makes placing wavemakers more difficult unless you have vortechs. Although you can often run gyres right on the underside of the rim which is very clean.

The larger IM tanks are eurobraced and still attractive tanks.

 

[stewy14]

I have a 1st gen rsr 350. I am starting to see some water creep into the seam on the right side. I sent pics to Red Sea but the tank is out of factory warranty by 8 months.

They offered me $800 for a whole new tank and stand. I told them I only wanted the display tank and not the stand b.c I will do my own plumbing underneath. They said that is not an available option. Unfortunately, I am not ready to commit $3k to another tank.

say yes, then sell their stand, plumbing and stuff, and keep the dt!

 

[anhdreamer]

Why haven't they fixed this problem? Should be a class action lawsuit

 

[exnisstech]

Why haven't they fixed this problem? Should be a class action lawsuit

This keep getting brought up. Are there any lawyers in the house who would be willing to explain why this is not a class action suit? I think it's because there wouldn't be enough profit for an attorney to take it on as a class action suit but maybe I'm wrong in my assumption.

 

[flashsmith]

A class action suit to me is a bridge too far. Take vehicles for example there are millions of recalls out there right now that more than likely will only affect less than 5% of the millions of recalls if not addressed. RS is a global company. They in all likelihood have thousands and thousands of tanks going at any given time. I don't know of any other company out there that has that kind of footprint in this hobby. Certainly no other tank companies. Yea it sucks when it happens I get that but putting hundreds of gallons of saltwater in a glass box in your living room is a bit of a risk to begin with no matter the tank brand. That's the way I look at it. If mine breaks within the warranty period I'll just deal with it and move on. So far over 2 years and no issues at all. However I'm getting out of the hobby and will be more than likely giving my 625xxl G2 away. Not because I'm worried it will break at some point. But because I want to pay it forward to another reefer. I'm selling my house and downsizing and can't move the tank myself.

 

[Soren]

I would’ve killed to have a rim today. Just saying.

Yep, I understand. It is the same reason I prefer rimmed tanks, as the security is worth far more to me than the better aesthetic without.

Also, to be clear, my later comment was related to most people with rimless tanks having bought rimless intentionally for the aesthetics, so probably are not looking to add a 3rd-party rim after purchase. I suppose one could keep the rim for emergency cases, but, during a tank failure, it is probably too late to add the rim and certainly too late to order one if not already on-hand.

Sorry your tank failed... it is the nightmare situation of any aquarium keeper!

 

[Dom]

Yep, I understand. It is the same reason I prefer rimmed tanks, as the security is worth far more to me than the better aesthetic without.

Also, to be clear, my later comment was related to most people with rimless tanks having bought rimless intentionally for the aesthetics, so probably are not looking to add a 3rd-party rim after purchase. I suppose one could keep the rim for emergency cases, but, during a tank failure, it is probably too late to add the rim and certainly too late to order one if not already on-hand.

Sorry your tank failed... it is the nightmare situation of any aquarium keeper!

Rimless tanks aren't worth the potential trouble. I've always used rimmed tanks. With a creative stand and canopy, it is easy enough to hide the rim.

 

[GARRIGA]

These threads make me want to go acrylic and just deal with repairing scratches every few years. At least for larger tanks although you’d think it shouldn’t matter since the issue is the fact where it sits better be level or it might start separating.

Doubt anyone has perfectly level floors and why spending extra on a stand badly needed. Extruded aluminum likely best choice and specially now that they have adjustable feet which can be added at several locations making for a flatter and leveled surface.

Devil in the details and considering cost of the tank, inhabitants, floor and furniture it makes no sense buying would that might over time compress or get affected by moisture. Everything held by something depends entirely on that foundation.

 

[Devaji]

Should I fill it out twice?

IMHO yes! i have had 2 RS tanks fail. so it should be tracked.
once agaon sorry for the bad luck man.

The larger IM tanks are eurobraced and still attractive tanks.

100% agree I love my IM 200 peninsula that replaced the RD 650P
the euro bracing does come in quite handy .
I just got to remember to clean in every so often. but you have to do that with rimless tanks too. not the bracing but top of the glass.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Not another one!

My cade900 can’t get here soon enough. Come on Algeabarn!