Red Sea Fail, very harsh!! But truthful IMO.

[MnFish1]

I’ll be interested to see the longevity of Red Sea’s tanks down the road. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the warranty offered coincides with what I’d assume 80% of people leave the hobby.

I think people frequently forget this is a specialty forum which by default means that if you’re engaged on R2R you’re more invested in this hobby than 90% of people who casually have reef tanks.

I don’t have the data on hand and I doubt there is anyway to corroborate it but I would strongly assume that the vast of majority of people set up and tear down a tank in less than three years. I think it’s very uncommon to have a tank older than that and running nonstop.

Personally I do think that Red Sea has a design flaw by choosing to float the front panel. It’s a choice of aesthetics over function and ultimately the benefit of the clean lines does not outweigh the potential stress point on the aquarium.

But I agree that it’s likely not as prevalent as it’s made out to be. In addition to this - social media and forums are where you see these failures. If the FB group didn’t exist I think this issue would be reported a lot less. I’m also curious about if the cost of Red Sea’s tanks plays a role in it. You’re a lot more likely to complain and vent and carry on when a 5000$ tank fails vs 1000$ etc.

I personally haven’t dealt with a Red Sea failure or seen one first hand locally that wasn’t also involved in a move or re-location. But I’ve seen countless threads and comments linking failures over the years. Ignorance is bliss.

Probability of tank busting open/leaks? How to mitigate this risk?

Hello everyone, I am considering upgrading to a larger (~150 gallon) tank from my 30 gallon. My biggest concern, is potential water damage that could occur from the tank leaking/cracking open. I'm wondering how often this happens to a fish tank, and how it can be prevented? I couldn't find any...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[newreef1]

So I clicked the little Magnifying glass top right of page and input 3 words, Red Sea Fail. This is the results just from these forums. Over 20 pages of threads. Given we have this preponderance of evidence that Red Sea tanks are BAD, why do people keep buying them, and worse replacing one with another when the front seam fails?

I am pretty sure the reason for the seam failure on a red sea is that the front glass is just to thin, allowing for Flex in the pane, which then separates the silicone in the middle of the tank causing catastrophic failure (most common failure spot from my research).

Now add to this the horror stories posted about Lack of Customer Service on the part of red sea!! It has become very obvious to this dummy that Red Sea does NOT care about the hobby, or what we go thru to keep coral in our house. All they care about is separating us from our money with a sub-standard product complete with Lousy Customer Support.

You do what you think is right with your money, as for me, well, Friends do not let Friends buy Red Sea tanks!!

May I ask why or what prompted you to search and create a thread on Red Sea tank fails? Do you own one?

 

[Bruttall]

May I ask why or what prompted you to search and create a thread on Red Sea tank fails? Do you own one?

No, I just noticed a trend in failures from red sea, at least 1 new post a week for the last few months, so I decided to start a conversation. Did a little search and was dismayed at what I discovered, so I shared. I am very happy with the end results of the conversation I started, there is a ton of good advice and information in this thread, and some touchy feelings I was able to chuckle about as well.

 

[GlassMunky]

Without the math - which I'm not sure is correct (or incorrect) - why not just call BRS - and ask why they continue to sell RedSea tanks - and what percentage of failures they see? After all most of the people here seem to think that BRS is at least one of the authorities. Let's quit guessing based on individual tank problems - which might be related to stands, tanks, etc etc. I don't disagree with you - but I also don't care

You care enough to keep coming here and arguing tho

Do you also love - how I explained in detail that I wasn't trying to imply Redsea has 70% marketshare - but only represents the approximate percentage of tanks that those companies service? For example - most people with 20 gallon tanks don't hire a tank maintenence company. My guess is people with larger tanks do more often.

dude youv done nothing but change your story to fit your narrative since this thread started. It’s ok we can all see it. And I do love it.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I remember the problem with GM Cars and the Keys falling out of the ignition, then the car would shut off. They acted like this was a limited problem. Well I had a late 60’s Catalina Wagon, Ignition Key in the Dash. Hit a bump, keys, would fall out and onto the floor. Hit another bump, car would shut off. Fun driving down the road trying to fish the keys off of the mat, no Power Brakes or Steering. Manufacturers lie when it’s $$$$ involved.

 

[doubleshot00]

How is this 10 pages? I have no fuel in this fight.

 

[Dom]

I am pretty sure the reason for the seam failure on a red sea is that the front glass is just to thin, allowing for Flex in the pane, which then separates the silicone in the middle of the tank causing catastrophic failure (most common failure spot from my research).

Interesting theory.

I theorized that there was something up with the recipe of the silicon. But if this were true, there would be fails throughout the tank and not just in the front center.

I like it!

 

[BeanAnimal]

Without the math - which I'm not sure is correct (or incorrect) - why not just call BRS - and ask why they continue to sell RedSea tanks - and what percentage of failures they see? After all most of the people here seem to think that BRS is at least one of the authorities. Let's quit guessing based on individual tank problems - which might be related to stands, tanks, etc etc. I don't disagree with you - but I also don't care

We keep having the same discussion over and over.

It is rather naive to think a company like BRS is not going to jeopardize their sales, relationships or liable themselves by weighing in about a possible problems with a product from a manufacturer that large. No vendor partner with any brains would, especially if they are not responsible for cleaning up (no pun) the mess. As we already know, RS is not going to give you what you ask for either. The "numbers" that you seek are not going to be made available to you or anybody. The only thing that you can go by is what you see in places like this, parsed with the actions of the manufacturer and what they are saying.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Interesting theory.

I theorized that there was something up with the recipe of the silicon. But if this were true, there would be fails throughout the tank and not just in the front center.

I like it!

Not necessarily. The failures will occur where the stress is highest given the design. We discussed somewhere else, but with the hanging front, the center 1/3 and front sides would likely be carrying significantly more load than the other seams.

It could be one issue or a combination of factors. From poor adhesion, to every tank made at station #x failing due to a bad clamp... or every tank assembled by worker #7 because his or her technique sucked. Or those things combined with a tank design with too little safety margin, etc.

Combine this with the fact that not every tank is failing but at the same time many that do fail do not appear to be misused or abused. But do they have anything in common with regard to handling, etc.? Who knows.

When a failure pattern emerges, often the root causes are multiple small things, not one glaring error that can be pinpointed, even of one change in the process may eliminate the failures altogether.

 

[C4ctus99]

Interesting theory.

I theorized that there was something up with the recipe of the silicon. But if this were true, there would be fails throughout the tank and not just in the front center.

I like it!

Could be a combination of both. There was a thread with another guy who had his top corners splitting

 

[BaliReefBox]

"Well I had a late 60’s Catalina Wagon"

If you think you hate it now, what until you drive it...... well done Mr Grisald

 

[Northern Flicker]

Not necessarily. The failures will occur where the stress is highest given the design. We discussed somewhere else, but with the hanging front, the center 1/3 and front sides would likely be carrying significantly more load than the other seams.

It was a bizarre design choice. We all grew up in this hobby being told about the importance of equal weight distribution, and cringing anytime we saw a tank overhanging it's stand. Then RS came along an actually designed the tank/stand combo to purposefully be this way. I don't get it. I imagine someone very smart signed off on it, but why take that risk?

 

[BeanAnimal]

You can pick whatever deductible you want from 100 to 2500 or more. Part of it also relates to the mortgage company - who may insist on a lower deductible - if you're not making a big down-payment.

Yep - pretty well aware how HO insurance works

The point was that getting coverage on an aquarium failure is going to be a nightmare for most folks. Firstly, in almost all cases you are going to need to notify your insurer beforehand that you want the aquarium and damages if it fails covered. They will not likely be unless the underwriter adds a specific rider to the policy and of course RAISES YOUR PREMIUM. For many this may be a can of worms where the underwriter demands other coverages or measures before they sign.

If you DO NOT make them aware of the aquarium beforehand (size, warranty, possible damage consequences if it fails, etc.) and have an answer in writing then most insurers will laugh at you when you file a claim.

In any case, assuming you are covered - The damage may be, but the livestock and tank will almost certainly NOT be (unless you also paid for another rider for this).

One way or the other - if you do file a claim you are almost guaranteed to have a premium increase that will in reasonable time, cost more than the claim. If they can't bump the premium that far, there is a chance they will drop you.

 

[Cell]

Other manufacturers also have the front panel hanging over on their rimless tanks, but no rash of busted seams quite like RS is experiencing.

 

[MnFish1]

Yep - pretty well aware how HO insurance works

The point was that getting coverage on an aquarium failure is going to be a nightmare for most folks. Firstly, in almost all cases you are going to need to notify your insurer beforehand that you want the aquarium and damages if it fails covered. They will not likely be unless the underwriter adds a specific rider to the policy and of course RAISES YOUR PREMIUM. For many this may be a can of worms where the underwriter demands other coverages or measures before they sign.

If you DO NOT make them aware of the aquarium beforehand (size, warranty, possible damage consequences if it fails, etc.) and have an answer in writing then most insurers will laugh at you when you file a claim.

In any case, assuming you are covered - The damage may be, but the livestock and tank will almost certainly NOT be (unless you also paid for another rider for this).

One way or the other - if you do file a claim you are almost guaranteed to have a premium increase that will in reasonable time, cost more than the claim. If they can't bump the premium that far, there is a chance they will drop you.

In my case, aquarium damage was covered - with no increased premium. Many less expensive insurance policies do not cover damage. That said, many companies cover damage from an aquarium - the same way they cover if your toilet tank breaks when you're on vacation. Whether I had a RedSea, a waterbed or any other large tank - I would make sure that damage from aquaria is covered. I would attempt to have livestock coverage (if available in my area) - in the event of a catastrophic failure).

And yes - you're correct, just like if you buy a boxer or German shepherd or a Rottweiler, your home owners insurance may not cover you - if you have not told them beforehand about a large tank. My agent told me that various companies will not insure you with a swimming pool - let alone an aquarium.

 

[C4ctus99]

Other manufacturers also have the front panel hanging over on their rimless tanks, but no rash of busted seams quite like RS is experiencing.

Which ones out of curiosity?

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Other manufacturers also have the front panel hanging over on their rimless tanks, but no rash of busted seams quite like RS is experiencing.

The glass specs are pretty much standard across those manufactures as well. I would go so far as to speculate that all of their manufacturing processes are very similar if not identical.

 

[SanFernandoValleyAIOReef]

The glass specs are pretty much standard across those manufactures as well. I would go so far as to speculate that all of their manufacturing processes are very similar if not identical.

Yaa the factory’s they buy from are on the same street in china

 

[Cell]

Which ones out of curiosity?

Waterbox and Fiji Cube both do it

 

[Cell]

I'm guessing there are other ways to mitigate chances of failure when using this design, like a proper supporting stand for one, which we know RS did not have, evidenced by the retro fit kits.