Acrylic tank damage during shipping

[ryewalk84]

Hi everyone. I received my new tank today and it arrived damaged on the bottom. Approximately 8 inches in from the side. After getting it out of the crate I’m worried that it’s no longer structurally sound. It’s not cracked but it is a deep scratch and in one spot feels and looks like it was bouncing on a screw. What do we think about this? I’ll be calling them tomorrow but want to have my research done with anything they might say.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

@Troylee

 

[JGT]

Looks like the nail underneath scratched it good. Not sure why there would even be a nail there. It’s acrylic so it is pretty resilient and it doesn’t appear that significant BUT it is a new tank. If you decide to keep it they may give you some money off it.

 

[Troylee]

Ouch… what is that last picture? It looks like a table saw cut and glued in? Have a picture of the entire tank?

 

[ryewalk84]

Ouch… what is that last picture? It looks like a table saw cut and glued in? Have a picture of the entire tank?

Last picture is from underneath. The cut I believe you’re referring to is the side wall through the bottom panel. I didn’t take a photo of the entire thing once unwrapped. Here it is on delivery.

 

[CrewePD210]

I bought a 500 Fiji sump and it had a small nick in it. They gave me half off and sent me the stuff to put a patch on it. If it was on the bottom anyway, and not visible, I might pursue something similar.

 

[Troylee]

Last picture is from underneath. The cut I believe you’re referring to is the side wall through the bottom panel. I didn’t take a photo of the entire thing once unwrapped. Here it is on delivery.

Oh wow that’s a massive tank…. I’m referring to this.. if that’s the glue joints I’d run from that tank to begin with, without a scratch lol..

 

[spsick]

Last picture is from underneath. The cut I believe you’re referring to is the side wall through the bottom panel. I didn’t take a photo of the entire thing once unwrapped. Here it is on delivery.

Looks like 2 failures. Shipper (mfgr) failing to inspect the pallet before setting a massive tank in it. And the carrier failing to respect its value and putting something on top of it hence the destroyed cone?

I’d be contacting manufacturer immediately.

Agree with Troy if that scratch it across a seam I would not be using the tank.

 

[CBonito]

Phew. I'm sorry. I've been through this before. I still get mad when I think about it.

 

[X-37B]

Being in freight for 10 years that's unacceptable. File a complaint against the shipper. I have had perfect looking crates denied by the customer because the cone was smashed. They never looked in the crate.
When my 170 was delivered the driver got angry and said he would just take it back if I did not sign so he could leave. I laughed and said go ahead but I have 15 minutes to inspect the tank. If you don't like it call dispatch.
This person was visably upset and was throwing stuff in the back of his trailer that still needed to be delivered.
I then told him I drove city p&d for 10 years and know exactly how things work.
This made him more upset.
He pretened to call dispatch while I took 5 minutes to inspect the crate.
My guess is it was most likely shipped in good condition and damaged in transport. Most freight is moved in and out of trailers many times to get it to its destination.
If you ever worked on a central dock with 100 trailers and 50 forklifts you will wonder how anything gets delivered in one piece.

 

[Troylee]

The scratch might be okay structual wise but not really acceptable.. can you take any pictures of the glue joints? That last picture worries me if that’s a glue joint with a saw cut. You shouldn’t see any cut lines wether it’s a saw cut or routed edge preferably.. saw cut glue joints are prone to failure

 

[Should I]

i would get intouch with them ASAP the faster the better

 

[X-37B]

The scratch might be okay structual wise but not really acceptable.. can you take any pictures of the glue joints? That last picture worries me if that’s a glue joint with a saw cut. You shouldn’t see any cut lines wether it’s a saw cut or routed edge preferably.. saw cut glue joints are prone to failure

What do the other glued edges look like? That would be unacceptable if it was my system.
If it is as you mentioned a poor cut then that need to addressed by the manufacturer.
Curious as to who built this?

 

[spsick]

Last picture is from underneath. The cut I believe you’re referring to is the side wall through the bottom panel. I didn’t take a photo of the entire thing once unwrapped. Here it is on delivery.

What did the other side look like? Was the pallet broken? Your pic looks like the edge or crosspiece piece of a pallet underneath the tank, hence the nails.

 

[ryewalk84]

The scratch might be okay structual wise but not really acceptable.. can you take any pictures of the glue joints? That last picture worries me if that’s a glue joint with a saw cut. You shouldn’t see any cut lines wether it’s a saw cut or routed edge preferably.. saw cut glue joints are prone to failure

Here are a bunch of photos of the seams and scratch/puncture wound. I have photos of it pre-shipping so this to me is entirely the shipping company’s fault.

 

[ryewalk84]

What do the other glued edges look like? That would be unacceptable if it was my system.
If it is as you mentioned a poor cut then that need to addressed by the manufacturer.
Curious as to who built this?

See above photos.

 

[ryewalk84]

What did the other side look like? Was the pallet broken? Your pic looks like the edge or crosspiece piece of a pallet underneath the tank, hence the nails.

Yeah there was pallet damage that was way worse once I was able to get into it.

 

[Fish Fan]

Here's my take on this: It's moot point whether or not the tank is usable. You purchased a brand new tank and it should be flawless. I would be contacting the manufacturer/store and seeking a replacement. Remember, if the merchant gives you a hard time, your bank or credit card company may be able to help.

Good luck!

 

[X-37B]

Looks like it may have fallen off the pallet and was recouped.
If you singed without looking your freight company will say it was fine when delivered.
They will not do anything to help.from my experience.
This is why its critical to inspect before signing.
Let us know what the manufacturer says.

 

[ryewalk84]

I filed with shipping company before they left. Spoke with manufacturer and they’re working everything out. I was looking more for advice on do I try to get a discount or do I ask for a full rebuild. The more I run my finger through the damage, my gut says rebuild.