To fill or Not to fill

[mike_dani]

so here is the scope, I ordered a 300 gallon tank 72x36x27 and after setting it all up with livestock

and all it had a chip in the glass.

I called the guy who built it and within three days he sent someone out to fix it... While waiting for the silicone to cure I started to clean up the glass and to my amazement I found what looks like some clear silicone with air bubbles in it (I hope)

and a void in the other side of the same pane

I need your help to figure out if I need to remove it and reseal it or is it ok for water after it cures?

 

[Troylee]

I would call the builder and get his opinion... Maybe they can replace the tank since it has already been a hassle... If I were you I wouldn't you are obvouosly concerend or you wouldn't be asking... Just my 2

 

[RGibson]

Get a new tank that is not a good seal.

 

[subielover]

Call the builder and get a new tank!

 

[Phin]

I would also make sure you get everything in writing to get in a little CYA.

 

[JR's Reef]

I would call the person that made it and let them take care of it. If you do it and sumthin happens you will be on your own and thats alot of money and time to throw away

 

[aquaman7]

^I completely agree.

I'd send pictures to the builder/repairer and explain everything and voice your concerns. That isn't something to just let go.

 

[mike_dani]

well it has been two days and I have not gotten any response from the builder.... I sent three photos asking very specific questions about the integrity of the silicone joints before filling her up.

I will be adding water tomorrow and we will see how it goes, wish me luck because if it burst instead of leaking my wife will "use the tank as my coffin".

 

[mike_dani]

Update

So I filled her up this am and well I sprung a leek...... Figured this would happen I just didn't know to what extent. I was lucky and only had a small puddle when my ears were alarmed to the sound of DRIP DRIP DRIP. I think this is all of our s worst nightmares. I ran to the bathroom to get some towels and when I came back it was no longer a drip but a stream. I the ran to the garage and got a siphon line started and looked like the kid plugging the dam.


Spoke with the builder today and it turns out he has been injured and will require some shoulder surgery. With that being said he has ordered the glass offered to supply the people to remove and install the tanks and offered a couple of upgrades.

With upgrades he offered up using PVC for the bottom and the back. Does anyone know of this or life span/durability?

 

[AlexStinson]

I dont know about the lifespan/durability but I've always wanted one... it really cuts down on the weight of these big tanks

 

[HighlandReef]

If you don't mind me asking. Who was thebuilder?
Was it like someone local or like a major brand name tank co?

 

[XCrunnr36]

doesnt seem like you'd be able to sleep at night knowing you have some nicks in that beauty.


i'm going with these guys on trying to get them to replace it

 

[Tenacious716]

Not to sound rude by any means, but whoever built that obviously doesn't have much experience doing this. The silicone lines are very sloppy not to mention the obvious voids in the joints.

Is there any chance that you can recieve a refund? The big mfgr's aren't as expensive as you may think. Just my $0.02, HTH.

 

[mike_dani]

If you don't mind me asking. Who was thebuilder?
Was it like someone local or like a major brand name tank co?

I don't mind you asking.... But at this time I will not say who, sorry.

Here is the deal...
The builder is a good man and he builds great tanks, however anyone on this forum who has owned their own business (I have) will know that every good man has a bad day. I am not going to slam some guy for having a bad day (at least not yet) as he is doing his best to make me happy. Like I said above his lack of response was due to some accident he had and was in the hospital, he will be under going surgery on Wednesday to fix himself up.

So this is what is going on as of today.....
I spoke to said builder and he is going to build me a brand new tank, he is also going to upgrade me with a PVC bottom for free. He is also going up to Nashville TN. to meet with a PVC welder to look into building the back wall out of PVC also, just think of the coast to coast overflow with CNC cut louvers among other things. Said builder offered to build me a new stand and canopy for free, I declined I like free and new but I thought this was taking advantage of him.

If you are in the market place for a tank and would like to know if the builder that you have chosen is said builder send me a PM and we can discuss this from there.

 

[mike_dani]

doesnt seem like you'd be able to sleep at night knowing you have some nicks in that beauty.


i'm going with these guys on trying to get them to replace it

The whole tank will be replaced please see above reply.

 

[mike_dani]

Not to sound rude by any means, but whoever built that obviously doesn't have much experience doing this. The silicone lines are very sloppy not to mention the obvious voids in the joints.

Is there any chance that you can recieve a refund? The big mfgr's aren't as expensive as you may think. Just my $0.02, HTH.

Rudeness is in the eye of the reader... I however agree the seams sucked. Now the guy who did the repair is not the builder but someone who he sometimes have fix tanks for him. The builder has gorgeous seams and the silicone looked perfect prior to the pane being replaced. Remember this all started from a clam-shell chip that happened while we moved it in the house.

Yes I can get a full refund or partial and keep the stand and canopy its up to me and my American Express card.....The builder has no choice in the matter, but that's not what I want. I don't want a mass produced marineland or any other brand tank. I ordered a completely custom tank like no other, I can do this with some of the "big manufactures" unfortunately the price climbs like you wont believe when you do this, I checked.

Once all of this has passed I hope to have a great build thread with all of my ups and downs and even lower downs...... This will have to wait.

Thank you for your input

 

[thewackyreefer]

Man, I really hope this all works out for ya. Can't wait to see the build!

 

[mike_dani]

you and I both my friend

 

[bamastunter]

tagging along mike enjoyed our conversion the first of many I'm sure

 

[hounddog01]

Call the builder and get a new tank!

I agree