Glass Cages Tank Seam Failure.

[scriptmonkey]

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

I keep 2 ratchet straps near my tank, learned that trick from another member when his tank seams failed..

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Sorry to hear what happened with the tank.
I have had 3 custom tanks from them. 75g, 120g and 240g. And I never had any issues with them. Yes craftsmanship is cheap and untidy but I never had an leaks chips cracks or major issues with their tanks.
My current tank is 96x24x24 custom made by glass cages.
Again sorry for you having to go through this

 

[redfishbluefish]

So sorry to see this. I do like your very quick response to grabbing a pipe clamp. I too recently had a seam failure (not glass cages) and did the same thing with a pipe clamp....eventually both sides.

Here are my thoughts....

1. I don't trust rimless tanks. It appears your tank is rimless, and the one I had that failed was as well. Tanks need to be Euro braced or plastic framed.

2. Foam base with flat bottom tanks. Flat bottom tanks need foam to "level" out any imperfections in the stand top and the tank. Glass Cages actually recommends 3/4 inch foam between the bottom of their tank and the stand. To quote Glass Cages:

We always suggest 3/4" thick styrofoam. Plain white, not the foil-backed kind. Will probably squish down to 1/2" thick when weight of tank is placed on it. Using the foam eliminates any pressure points on bottom - long lived happy tank with foam.


So what did I do with my failed tank.....ordered a Glass Cages, with Euro-bracing.

My thoughts in examining the new tank...the build quality appears to be quite good...actually impressed, after seeing some of the reviews that have been mentioned. I didn't use 3/4 white foam, but instead used a 7/16" sleeping bag foam mat (from Walmart). Blue foam in the center section of the new tank.

If you decide to rebuild this tank, I'd highly recommend adding Euro-bracing.

Best of luck.

 

[User1]

So all in all, Glass cages doesn't like to provide support for their tanks and they don't make a solid product. It has proven time and time again. Buying a tank from them is a gamble...

Buying a tank from anyone is a gamble. I don't think it matters who you buy it from - humans make mistakes and components fail and hobbyists are in the middle. To the OP - sorry about the seam.

 

[Michael Rodriguez]

Buying a tank from anyone is a gamble. I don't think it matters who you buy it from - humans make mistakes and components fail and hobbyists are in the middle. To the OP - sorry about the seam.

While I agree with that, I feel that GC either has a higher failure rate or their failures are more out in the open due to their lack of customer service (people get extremely upset and talk about it). Either of which doesn't make them a great choice.

 

[Michael Rodriguez]

If you decide to rebuild this tank, I'd highly recommend adding Euro-bracing.

Best of luck.

I might brace the back panel to the sides. I really do like the rimless look so I would like the front to be rimless. I was thinking of using clear silicone VS black as well.

 

[User1]

While I agree with that, I feel that GC either has a higher failure rate or their failures are more out in the open due to their lack of customer service (people get extremely upset and talk about it). Either of which doesn't make them a great choice.

It very well could be. I can honestly say I've not paid too much attention to their failure rates but I can also say that I honestly do not hear much about their troubles. Compare that to say the Marine Land DD line. Especially the 300 DD that has blown out seams wrecking all kinds of havoc. Several threads on this and other boards. But again - I'm personally not scouring the net looking so probably in the minority here.

 

[Captain Quint]

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

I've had 6 or 7 in various sizes from them.

I've never had a moments problem from any I've owned...I placed properly on the recommended styrofoam with all and they were all solidly built.

I bought my old 300g when it was LFS used for ~12 to 14 years, ran it for 3 years and the present owner has been running it for almost 4 years...not one problem, so 20ish years totaled on it seems pretty good IMHO.

So hopefully yours will do well too.

 

[Katrina71]

I've had 6 or 7 in various sizes from them.

I've never had a moments problem from any I've owned...I placed properly on the recommended styrofoam with all and they were all solidly built.

I bought my old 300g when it was LFS used for ~12 to 14 years, ran it for 3 years and the present owner has been running it for almost 4 years...not one problem, so 20ish years totaled on it seems pretty good IMHO.

So hopefully yours will do well too.

Thank you!!

 

[Captain Quint]

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

She and her husband own the business. I know her and she is actually a kind woman. Just seems gruff until you get to know her.

 

[Captain Quint]

I truly am sorry this happened to you and glad you calmly thought so quickly.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

[twistedfinn967]

Sorry to hear about the OP's bad luck. Between fresh water and salt water, I've been in the hobby for 15 years. As such, there are two things that I feel I should point out:
1) Glass Cages has had a sketchy reputation for longer than I've been in the hobby
2) If I'm a tank manufacturer, there is no way that I'm going to warranty a 6 year old tank that I have no way of knowing how it's been treated.

Not aimed at the OP at all. I firmly believe that as consumers, it is our responsibility to do the homework and make an informed decision.

 

[Michael Rodriguez]

Something I wrote in the first post seems to suggest that I was disappointed about not receiving support on a 6 year old tank. I never expected a warranty 6 after having the tank this long. I was dissappointed when I called when the tank was 4 months old, they told me the chip was my fault and that I am on my own. Then when I told them there is no sign of impact etc, they hung up on me.

I took that pane of glass off two days ago, there was just about no silicone in that part of the seam. The seam that broke was the same situation.

 

[alton]

Sorry this happened to you, it is every reefers nightmare! I have seen several GC Aquariums typically built like a tank, but sloppy. But if you make enough of them, you will probably have some failures. As far as rimless my bosses tank 60" x 18" x 29" tall made by the original Oceanic is 19 years old and still holding up.

 

[scriptmonkey]

Something I wrote in the first post seems to suggest that I was disappointed about not receiving support on a 6 year old tank. I never expected a warranty 6 after having the tank this long. I was dissappointed when I called when the tank was 4 months old, they told me the chip was my fault and that I am on my own. Then when I told them there is no sign of impact etc, they hung up on me.

I took that pane of glass off two days ago, there was just about no silicone in that part of the seam. The seam that broke was the same situation.

Did you take any pictures?

 

[Michael Rodriguez]

Here is everything all taken down and on my lanai. I made that sump out of glass about a month ago. It has a filtersock/skimmer section, a refugium and a section for a return pump. The skimmer is sitting on top of a skimmer stand I made out of glass as well.

This is everything going back to the LFS (It was a native tank).

 

[DaneGer21]

I just sold my 10yr old GC tank when we sold our home. It was a custom sized 90gal. It was definitely overbuilt by them, and never an issue for me.

I’m sure there are cases out there but for my 10yrs I was very pleased.

As for a chip, inspection upon pickup is a must with any manufacturer!!! Do NOT sign until you do. If not done during shipping I would also blame the user/installer.

To each their own...

 

[Michael Rodriguez]

I just sold my 10yr old GC tank when we sold our home. It was a custom sized 90gal. It was definitely overbuilt by them, and never an issue for me.

I’m sure there are cases out there but for my 10yrs I was very pleased.

As for a chip, inspection upon pickup is a must with any manufacturer!!! Do NOT sign until you do. If not done during shipping I would also blame the user/installer.

To each their own...

The chip formed when the tank was under pressure from water being in it. I suspect the lack of silicone caused the glass to bind up and a chip popped out. The silicone was squeezed out of the seam too much upon assembly of the tank.

Over time, bubbles had formed in the seams near where the silicone was more transparent (It was black) so I have always second guessed the tank. I'm actually relieved the tank gave out because I was going to set it up as a reef tank again soon.

Glad you had luck with your tank.

 

[ReefWithCare]

A complaint for a 6 year tank is a bit unusual. If it was 6 months, I would be there with you.

With all the China made glass tanks now and custom acrylic manufacturers you are lucky to get a 2 year warranty on tanks these days.

For example, Waterbox only gives a 2 year warranty [emoji848]

https://www.waterboxaquariums.com/warranty/

 

[Michael Rodriguez]

A complaint for a 6 year tank is a bit unusual. If it was 6 months, I would be there with you.

With all the China made glass tanks now and custom acrylic manufacturers you are lucky to get a 2 year warranty on tanks these days.

For example, Waterbox only gives a 2 year warranty [emoji848]

https://www.waterboxaquariums.com/warranty/

I don't understand what you are saying. A broken seam on a tank after 6 years is acceptable? I am not interested in them warrantying it.

Read post #53.