Red Sea reefer xxl750 bottom cracked

Kevin Moore · Dec 4, 2017

hello need some help on how this happened.the tank was set up and running for six weeks came home from lfs and stepped in nice big puddle of water and of course I had fish and coral.had quarantine tank up and running so not a big deal for fish and corals.found tank leaking from the bottom at the back drained water and rock and sand found crack in bottom of tank front to back.all leveling legs are on floor witch is ceramic tile tank is level front to back and side to side.red sea is sending a new tank and stand they have the best customer service.

ReefNoobie88 · Dec 4, 2017

Sorry to see that happen! Hopefully you didn’t lose anything and the water damage isn’t too extensive. It looks like a possible stress crack from possible micro cracking which happens when they don’t polish the edges. I have no clue how Red Sea does there tanks and this is disheartening to hear. It happens though, just really sucks.

andyg1960 · Dec 4, 2017

Sorry about this, happy RS is taking care of you. I have no idea why that happened, my first guess was a non level tank but you said thats not the issue. Of curiosity, what did Red Sea say when you spoke with them?

Kevin Moore · Dec 4, 2017

No water damage I caught the leak in time thanks,just need to find out what caused it so does not happen again. Red Sea doesn’t even know how It happened

ReefNoobie88 · Dec 4, 2017

Do they give a mat to place the tank on? From my rimless freshwater days I know if they’re on any sort of slightly uneven surface they can crack. Usually a self leveling mat or my favorite thick dense foam panels from Lowe’s/Home Depot.

Kevin Moore · Dec 4, 2017

Thank you Andy rs does not know how it happened

Kevin Moore · Dec 4, 2017

They do have a dense foam pad that is glued to top of stand but that gave me an idea just checking the foam found out I can slide about 10 sheets of paper between tank and stand on the side that cracked is that enough to crack it

ReefNoobie88 · Dec 5, 2017

Yes with water weight and rock/sand. All four corners should be supported. Mind you I’ve never run a RS tank but from freshwater days the corners must be supported as that’s where the most load is. That could have caused your crack right there.

Kevin Moore · Dec 5, 2017

I think i remember when i put stand together foam was crushed down on one side from parts of the stand packed on it in the shipping crate.i thought it would all eventually go back to normal when tank was on top

ReefNoobie88 · Dec 5, 2017

I’d make sure this time. And if possible look at the 1/2” thick pink insulation foam panel they sell at the hardware store also. It will help to distribute weight and keep things even on an uneven stand. That’s also a possibility, warped/uneven stand on the center board.

Kevin Moore · Dec 5, 2017

Thanks for the great information I really don’t know what happened just guessing because there is a support wall that defined sump area and electrical cabinet the crack happened right on top of it

siggy · Dec 5, 2017

Sorry to hear of dilemma. My LFS told me that the ends of the tank is what is critical and takes ALL the weight, not sure if .5" foam pad would void warranty. Any tank manufactures out there? I am curious what their recommendations for any tank would be and the of materials that should and should not be used. Goodluck on that awesome 750

Reefer1978 · Dec 5, 2017

Kevin Moore said:
Thanks for the great information I really don’t know what happened just guessing because there is a support wall that defined sump area and electrical cabinet the crack happened right on top of it

I would double-check if everything was level. I also noticed from your pictures crack is right over the support wall, my guess is tank was resting on that brace and eventually the glass gave in

Reefer1978 · Dec 5, 2017

And use a really long, prevision level if you can get one.

Fin · Dec 5, 2017

Good thing they are replacing the stand also. Something not right with it if you have that kind of gap between the tank and pad. Agree that you should have at least a 1/2" pad under a rimless tank that size. I am using a 1/2" rubber mat that I got from the local feed store under my 125.

ReefNoobie88 · Dec 5, 2017

Kevin Moore said:
Thanks for the great information I really don’t know what happened just guessing because there is a support wall that defined sump area and electrical cabinet the crack happened right on top of it

Anytime, it’s all about helping each other out in this hobby! That could have added stress to it also. Grab a level and a sheet of paper, see if it sides underneath or on either side of the level when you get the tank off. I’d ask RS if it’s a possibility of the wood being out of dimensions. See if they’re okay with adding an extra pad underneath to absorb any imperfections so it doesn’t happen again.