Glass Cages Tank Seam Failure.

FMF0331 · Mar 14, 2019

Many years ago i thought about using them ( glass cages ) but did a review on the company - didn't like what i read.
So I move on with another company

Katrina71 · Mar 14, 2019

This is a bit scary to read as we have a Glass Cages tank being used for our new build.

PerplexyHexy · Mar 14, 2019

Michael Rodriguez said:
I had called about the chip about 4 months after I had bought the tank. this was outside of their warranty period, I know for sure that they didn't use spacers on this tank. Now I just tried to put a razor in the seam with the chip and the point at where the chip is is less than 0.006". In other spots the razor slips in. In any spots that light can be seem through the silicone the spacing is less than 0.006".

I am not asking them to honor the warranty now, I am upset that they didn't honor it then or even consider there was an issue. Now that i'm proven right that there was an issue, I am making this post.

Every seam has these sort of transparent spots where the silicone was so thin you could see through it.

https://photos.google.com/search/_tra_/photo/AF1QipNpkLmhj-0d7rr5oPBIxbWSek8B0B1oPR6ubUK-

.006??? Thats like the thickness if a hair!!! Thats incredible

Michael Rodriguez · Mar 14, 2019

It is some funky special blade that I have. It is scary sharp and they break or bend easily.

PerplexyHexy said:
.006??? Thats like the thickness if a hair!!! Thats incredible

kenle74 · Mar 14, 2019

I bought a tank from Glasscages last year. The worst experience possible. They promised things, then retracted. No honor whatsoever. I would never buy a tank from Glasscages ever.

joejoe1055-1 · Mar 14, 2019

I've never had a problem with mine thank goodness. But I got them to drill it and got the stand from them. Going on 4 yrs with mine.
Could of been super slightly off on balance or pressure for years leading up to the seams letting go.
That being said not a lot of companies will honor things after the warranty has expired, to many variables.
A friend in the aquarium mantience field has had name brand tanks do the same and not be covered.
It sucks and I hope you get it straighten out.

Michael Rodriguez · Mar 14, 2019

joejoe1055-1 said:
I've never had a problem with mine thank goodness. But I got them to drill it and got the stand from them. Going on 4 yrs with mine.
Could of been super slightly off on balance or pressure for years leading up to the seams letting go.
That being said not a lot of companies will honor things after the warranty has expired, to many variables.
A friend in the aquarium mantience field has had name brand tanks do the same and not be covered.
It sucks and I hope you get it straighten out.

I agree, I Would never expect them to do anything now. It was when it was only 4 months old and the chip happened that they simply told me it was my fault and that I will have to deal with it on my own. They had a tone in their voice as well. The chip formed when I was at work and no one was home so I was really confused. Also, no sign of impact in the corner. Usually when glass is impacted hard enough to brake, there is a clear sign as to why.

There is a thread floating around somewhere that people had posted having the same issue with chips of glass popping off on tanks from GC. My thought is this is due to the lack of a gap between two panes of glass. once the pressure of the water is applied, the two pieces of glass making hard contact in the corner causes a chip to form. I remember even trying to glue the chip back in and it would sit proud of the surface and I couldn't figure out why.

joejoe1055-1 · Mar 14, 2019

Michael Rodriguez said:
I agree, I Would never expect them to do anything now. It was when it was only 4 months old and the chip happened that they simply told me it was my fault and that I will have to deal with it on my own. They had a tone in their voice as well. The chip formed when I was at work and no one was home so I was really confused. Also, no sign of impact in the corner. Usually when glass is impacted hard enough to brake, there is a clear sign as to why.

There is a thread floating around somewhere that people had posted having the same issue with chips of glass popping off on tanks from GC. My thought is this is due to the lack of a gap between two panes of glass. once the pressure of the water is applied, the two pieces of glass making hard contact in the corner causes a chip to form. I remember even trying to glue the chip back in and it would sit proud of the surface and I couldn't figure out why.

Yeah there customer service as always been bad. Lady answering phones can be very rude at times

ca1ore · Mar 14, 2019

That’s a major bummer - short video is a classic though, particularly your wife ..... oooooh. Quick thinking on the clamp though.

richiero · Mar 14, 2019

Some told me not to buy from them b/c of shotty build quality I’m so glad I went local custom build !!!

richiero · Mar 14, 2019

The wife is Gunna be happy lol

Conor_K · Mar 14, 2019

dantimdad said:
I have had a few tanks by GC. Never had an issue.

I have helped install several from them. No issues.

I can't be that lucky.

They have been in business longer than most manufacturers so they can't be as bad as everyone makes them out to be. It's impossible.

Also, 6 years? No one is going to honor a warranty at that point.

The chip? That is really a tough call. I can't say if I built it I would cover it because there is no way of knowing what happened. I am sure you are being honest, but, they don't know that. Normally, glass doesn't chip without a bump or something.

They use spacers on most of their tanks. Even the nano I have waiting for my buddy to pick up has spacers and inside bottom eurobrace. Total overkill.

BTW, their pricing on customs is not much better than other manufacturers. I just got a quote on multiple tanks that was higher than three other manufacturers.

Can I ask what other three manufacturers? I’m in the market and struggling to get a quote. SC and Miracles have gotten back to me since I sent out requests Monday, but three other have been complete crickets. I’m anxious to get things going and being in sales, the lack of a response after 24-48 hours isn’t a great sign for me.

Cheers,
C

dantimdad · Mar 14, 2019

Pm me

vetteguy53081 · Mar 14, 2019

Had the same issue on the same side with their tank. I was able to reseal successfully

johnanddawn · Mar 15, 2019

I'm sorry for your tank loss - it brings back a familiar nightmare:

Read my build thread from a while back - exact same thing happened to me with a GC tank of about the same age, I called them and although I obviously didn't expect that would honor a full warranty after that amount of time - but I did expect that they would be a least empathetic and offer some sort of deal on a new tank or a fix, but they were rude and dismissive and actually hung up on me.

I PERSONALLY WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/m...with-new-led-build.29248/page-11#post-2391872

Michael Rodriguez · Mar 15, 2019

johnanddawn said:
I'm sorry for your tank loss - it brings back a familiar nightmare:

Read my build thread from a while back - exact same thing happened to me with a GC tank of about the same age, I called them and although I obviously didn't expect that would honor a full warranty after that amount of time - but I did expect that they would be a least empathetic and offer some sort of deal on a new tank or a fix, but they were rude and dismissive and actually hung up on me.

I PERSONALLY WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/m...with-new-led-build.29248/page-11#post-2391872

Wow, I have a hard time trusting manufacturers because of things like this. I am lucky I got mine on video. Were there any damages to your house? My tank is only a 60 gallon so I lucked out in that regard.

When I ordered my tank, a lady answered and she was sweet and had a lot of suggestions. However, when I called back about the chip in the tank, she sounded as though I was trying to rob them or something...

Both your and my tank were built a while back. Hopefully they have addressed the issues.

johnanddawn · Mar 15, 2019

Yeah it ruined a section of carpeting and leaked through to the basement ceiling (finished basement) and wrecked some drywall.
I lost basically all my corals and fish - a 25 year collection.
I also almost left the hobby.

Its ironic that I read your thread just as I'm starting to get back in....

lakai · Mar 15, 2019

Michael Rodriguez said:
I think I am going to order a new piece of glass, maybe the sides as well, take all of the glass apart and rebuild it. I want to use a double pane of glass on the bottom.

And I think I'm going to order some long parallel bar clamps.

JoshH · Mar 15, 2019

Conor_K said:
Can I ask what other three manufacturers? I’m in the market and struggling to get a quote. SC and Miracles have gotten back to me since I sent out requests Monday, but three other have been complete crickets. I’m anxious to get things going and being in sales, the lack of a response after 24-48 hours isn’t a great sign for me.

Cheers,
C

Reef Savvy took almost 2 weeks to respond to my quote, there is only one person doing the quotes so it's really understandable IMHO.

scriptmonkey · Mar 15, 2019

Conor_K said:
Can I ask what other three manufacturers? I’m in the market and struggling to get a quote. SC and Miracles have gotten back to me since I sent out requests Monday, but three other have been complete crickets. I’m anxious to get things going and being in sales, the lack of a response after 24-48 hours isn’t a great sign for me.

Cheers,
C

Was having the same issue with getting quotes last month when I bought. Talk to Crystal Dynamics Aquariums, they are super nice, answered all my questions, and were very patient. Their work looks to be very good from pictures.