I broke the corner....

vdupuy · Oct 9, 2024

Hi everyone, I am new to reefing, well, I hope I will be a reefer soon, I just bought an almost new 350 G2 and while moving it, I chipped a corner putting it down (I think, could be in the transport I didn't notice when it happened.) Do you think this is fixable with silicone or such? See photos. TYIA Its a bit urgent, I have a bunch of fish, corals and such in bins waiting to get back in

((((

Fish Fan · Oct 9, 2024

That is a crazy looking crack! I am so sorry this happened, no matter who or what caused it.

I'm going to be honest, I've been keeping aquariums off and on for a long, long time (granted, mostly freshwater), and I started when I was a broke kid, and kept going long after I was a broke adult lol! I still have a tank that I bought new when I was 13; I'll be 51 in a couple of months. I've picked up tanks left out on the side of the road. I've purchased tanks from Craigslist, Goodwill stores, and garage sales. My bar for questionable tanks is really, really high. I am the first one to run a tank with skeptical seams, a melted plastic center brace (old reptile tank), a minor chip or crack in the glass.......

But I don't know about that crack..... I hate to say it, but I just don't trust that long term, not for a reef tank that would be a pain to break down and move if that tank sprung a leak.

I know that's not what you were hoping to hear, but that's just my thoughts based on your pics. It just looks that bad to me, but maybe not.

I wish you the best of luck. I'm looking to buy a new tank and I just couldn't imagine...... I really hope this works out for you!

Cichlid Dad · Oct 9, 2024

It looks to me it goes all the way to the seam and wider then the side panel thickness.

AydenLincoln · Oct 9, 2024

I would absolutely not risk it especially on a Red Sea tank! It may not leak now but imagine in a few months and when it does break/leak you will probably have a mess to clean up and have to come up with a new plan for your livestock.

mch1984 · Oct 9, 2024

Unfortunately, I think the whole pane of glass would have to be replaced and resealed. I don't think you will get a reliable fix for that. Like said before, If it did hold it wouldn't last.

vdupuy · Oct 10, 2024

Totally agree with all the above. I didn't even consider changing the whole pane (vs the whole tank), but the crack is localized just to the front pane. Should it be possible to find someone that can do that, and the same pane, in reasonable delays? Might be easier to just replace the main tank?

Dburr1014 · Oct 10, 2024

Dang, that tank is done.

Bruttall · Oct 10, 2024

With the over abundance of Red Sea Front Seam Failure posts on these forums alone, Search RED SEA FAIL and see for yourself, I would not take a chance on a brand new out the box undamaged red sea, much less one with a chip like that in the glass, but that is me.

I'd start looking for a good used same size or larger. Or if new probably look at Planet Aquarium's tanks. Maybe see if I can find @Joe Glass Cages see what he thinks.

Glowurm · Oct 10, 2024

Ouch, no way i'm putting water in that and sleeping soundly at night...

Dburr1014 · Oct 10, 2024

Glowurm said:
Ouch, no way i'm putting water in that and sleeping soundly at night...

True, but I don't think it will hold water at this point.

Glowurm · Oct 10, 2024

Dburr1014 said:
True, but I don't think it will hold water at this point.

Ohhh i agree, no way i would use that tank and put livestock into it.

vdupuy · Oct 10, 2024

Bruttall said:
With the over abundance of Red Sea Front Seam Failure posts on these forums alone, Search RED SEA FAIL and see for yourself, I would not take a chance on a brand new out the box undamaged red sea, much less one with a chip like that in the glass, but that is me.

I'd start looking for a good used same size or larger. Or if new probably look at Planet Aquarium's tanks. Maybe see if I can find @Joe Glass Cages see what he thinks.

I'm way past putting water back in based on all the feedback (thanks everyone), but putting a non-Red Sea replacement would make it really complex for the plumbing, no? Ideally I'd keep the sump etc, wasnt really planning on changing everything - or anything up to a few hours ago...

Bruttall · Oct 10, 2024

vdupuy said:
I'm way past putting water back in based on all the feedback (thanks everyone), but putting a non-Red Sea replacement would make it really complex for the plumbing, no? Ideally I'd keep the sump etc, wasnt really planning on changing everything - or anything up to a few hours ago...

it all depends. @Joe Glass Cages custom builds tanks, so does Planet Aquarium (Used to be OCEANIC!!) They can build you a custom to the specs of what your RS was I bet. Probably even put drains etc in same places.

I am biased against Red Sea, you should know that. I Authored one of the Red Sea Fail threads after doing a few days research on these forums. I was that amazed by the amount of fail stories I found. So I will NEVER recommend you replace a Red Sea with another Red Sea. They re-issued the G1 series after a re-design, basically admitted they had an issue but the Customer Service nightmares I have read about those issues was all I needed to run the other direction.

The other end of my Bias leans to Planet Aquarium. I have a 30+ year Oceanic tank. I love it. It still holds water. Looks great and takes up one whole wall of my living room. (See my build thread) I would also recommend an All-Glass aquarium if you can find them. I have a Double Drilled (2 bulkheads on each end) 6ft 125g I use for a sump. It's a solid built tank with thick glass.

Which ever way you end up going, I wish you good luck.

LadyMac · Oct 10, 2024

I would contact Red Sea, and see what just the tank would cost.Also other custom tank manufacturers to compare cost. In the mean time, place this in marketplace as a reptile or terrarium or even a paludarium. It’s got potential as something for someone I’m sure. That way you can at least get some money back from it (don’t over charge of course.)

Sorry this happened

always sad to see.

vdupuy · Oct 10, 2024

Bruttall said:
it all depends. @Joe Glass Cages custom builds tanks, so does Planet Aquarium (Used to be OCEANIC!!) They can build you a custom to the specs of what your RS was I bet. Probably even put drains etc in same places.

I am biased against Red Sea, you should know that. I Authored one of the Red Sea Fail threads after doing a few days research on these forums. I was that amazed by the amount of fail stories I found. So I will NEVER recommend you replace a Red Sea with another Red Sea. They re-issued the G1 series after a re-design, basically admitted they had an issue but the Customer Service nightmares I have read about those issues was all I needed to run the other direction.

The other end of my Bias leans to Planet Aquarium. I have a 30+ year Oceanic tank. I love it. It still holds water. Looks great and takes up one whole wall of my living room. (See my build thread) I would also recommend an All-Glass aquarium if you can find them. I have a Double Drilled (2 bulkheads on each end) 6ft 125g I use for a sump. It's a solid built tank with thick glass.

Which ever way you end up going, I wish you good luck.

These stories are scaring the **** out of me, I'm going to re-setup the tank in the basement, no way I'm ruining my whole house floors etc. like some of those stories, I have a spot that should do nicely. I just don't know if I have the time to get a custom one, I have a lot of livestock in bins atm. Fun times...

Tavero · Oct 10, 2024

vdupuy said:
Hi everyone, I am new to reefing, well, I hope I will be a reefer soon, I just bought an almost new 350 G2 and while moving it, I chipped a corner putting it down (I think, could be in the transport I didn't notice when it happened.) Do you think this is fixable with silicone or such? See photos. TYIA Its a bit urgent, I have a bunch of fish, corals and such in bins waiting to get back in ((((

To be frank I would be more concerned about the fact this being a used Red Sea tank that was moved around, than that chipped glass corner.
Glass is a lot sturdier than most think. It needs a lot of force to break it without help of leverage or a sharp tool. But the seams are made by Red Sea. Looking at the high failure rate this would have been a high risk tank from the start.

Joe Glass Cages · Oct 10, 2024

Bruttall said:
With the over abundance of Red Sea Front Seam Failure posts on these forums alone, Search RED SEA FAIL and see for yourself, I would not take a chance on a brand new out the box undamaged red sea, much less one with a chip like that in the glass, but that is me.

I'd start looking for a good used same size or larger. Or if new probably look at Planet Aquarium's tanks. Maybe see if I can find @Joe Glass Cages see what he thinks.

thanks so much. I sure do love talking tanks. available all the time. 404-434-3444. Let's talk even if a different build is the best fit. Hope you have a great day!