New Mainland tank, cracked bottom trim

[Dalton81]

Hello, I just purchased a new Marineland 180g tank from my LFS. Its been in my home 3 days now, never had water in it, and now I've noticed a hairline crack in the black trim about a 1/2 inch from the corner of the tank. Is this an issue that will affect the integrity of the tank? If so is Marineland hard to deal with? The crack is literally an inch from the lifetime guarantee sticker that is still on the tank....
Please, any guidance would be appreciated. Im brand new to the hobby and this is very frustrating. Thank you

 

[sbash]

The trim goes on the tank after it is all caulked and assembled. So technically, it should not affect the ability to hold water; however, with the weight of the filled tank on the bottom plastic, if it is compromised, then it could pose long term issues (for example, if the plastic were to break, bend or shift in some way).

I feel your pain, a 180G is not easy to move around. However, if it is empty, I would exchange it. Go through your LFS first, they *should* have a channel to handle returns.

 

[Humblefish]

The trim goes on the tank after it is all caulked and assembled. So technically, it should not affect the ability to hold water; however, with the weight of the filled tank on the bottom plastic, if it is compromised, then it could pose long term issues (for example, if the plastic were to break, bend or shift in some way).

I feel your pain, a 180G is not easy to move around. However, if it is empty, I would exchange it. Go through your LFS first, they *should* have a channel to handle returns.

^^ Agree

Can you post a photo showing the crack?

 

[Dalton81]

Here are the pics.

 

[Dalton81]

I'm not sure if it matter but one piece of glass (front) appears to be slightly longer than the back. Also there appears to be more silicone in this corner than in the others.

 

[coil1002]

Maybe its the way the light is hitting it but that corner looks chipped or cracked

 

[Dalton81]

Maybe its the way the light is hitting it but that corner looks chipped or cracked

It is just the light. No cracks or chips on the glass itself.

 

[BoomCorals]

I'd be worried that the bracing is covering up possible damage to the tank that you can't see, since we don't know how the crack got there. I'd personally try to exchange the tank.

 

[Humblefish]

I'd be worried that the bracing is covering up possible damage to the tank that you can't see, since we don't know how the crack got there. I'd personally try to exchange the tank.

^^ I agree with this. But if you decide to keep it, do an extra long leak test.

 

[scurvy dawg]

I my experience, anytime you associate a crack with an aquarium, no mater where or what it is, it makes me nervous. Hard to tell by the picture, but that corner does not look like something I would be comfortable putting 2000 lbs of water in. I would take it back.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Since it's new, just return it for a refund or exchange for another unit...unless its was some sort of super duper/final sale/as-is special you took advantage of.

 

[EriksOasis]

Return it just to be safe no sense in risking 180 gallons of water damaging your home. If you want to see how much of a mess water is dump a five gallon bucket and then ask yourself if you would want 180 gallons on the floor.