After 5 months and 22 days..... the tank is here (but not as ordered).

[CMMorgan]

I ordered my custom acrylic tank on 9/4/2020. Hard to believe that was almost 6 months ago. The vendor is American Aquarium out of Pennsylvania.
I'm in the process of unpacking. I'll post more pics in the build thread. Generally, it looks like it is in one piece thus far. I was surprised (and a little disappointed) that it did not arrive as ordered. Before I take off the shrink wrap, I thought I'd see how the fishy family would feel about this.

The tank was ordered as 3/4" acrylic with 1/2" top and bottom. The dimensions were 72 x 24 x 19. The external overflow was described as 5" deep - so total depth 29". I verified all of these dims before we build the stand and began the skirt. The tank measures 72 1/4" wide x 22 1/2" deep x 19" high. The sides are 1" and the front and back are 1/2" acrylic.

The stand was built 72 x 24. So the tank can't sit flush with the front of the stand or else the pipes coming from the overflow will now hit the back of the stand. It also shifts the weight on the stand if I align it with the back. Am I overthinking that I'm going to have to rebuild now? The skirt is made from custom quarter sawn oak cabinet panels - 30" deep so the tank won't transmit vibration to the wall.

Am I overreacting to be annoyed by this? What was the point of verifying the dimensions if it arrives 1.5" different in one direction? The 1/4" can be split on each side NBD. Just disappointing after this much time. There is one spot that looks like a blemish in a joint. I'll know more after I take the wrap off. Too deflated to do it right now. I really don't want to rebuild that stand or wait 6 more months. To add a little salt to it, they was supposed to be a refund check for $184 taped inside the tank. I guess that is taped in the missing 1.5" section.

 

[ReefRy]

I'd refuse delivery, without question. I get you waited forever and want to get on with it, but companies have gotten way too comfortable with a "it's close enough" mentality. Everything is an excuse (if I hear one more failure blamed on covid I'm going to scream) and you're expected to have patience and understanding as you continuously do not get what you pay for. I feel your pain, amigo.

 

[CMMorgan]

Dang it ... I just noticed that the back is the wrong color also. It was supposed to be blue.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Call tomorrow morning & leave a message. Tell them to get back to you on Monday there is a problem with the order.

 

[mdb_talon]

I think you have every right to be annoyed. On the other hand i realize companies make mistakes. If you think you can live with it and make it work I think you should try to negotiate with them for whatever you think is a fair price for your trouble as a refund. Otherwise would look into the chargeback route.....of course to have a shot at winning that you need to keep it unused and ideally still wrapped up

 

[rob taft]

If I had waited the amount of time you have, verified the dimensions and didn't receive what I paid for, I'd send it back on their dime. Having just received an acrylic tank which came in right on spec, it is easy for me to say but it is what I would do if I were in your shoes.

 

[Snoopy 67]

My custom was also made wrong , but through a store. They gave me the option of fixing it or a new tank.
I opted new & they sold the tank no problem.

 

[Hasted]

I personally would send it back and ask to be placed towards the front of the queue. Might not work, but might as well try.

 

[dvgyfresh]

All the time , $, and confirmed details to receive a different product lol I’d be ticked

 

[ReefRy]

Hey, just an fyi..SC Aquarium was awesome. I got my 120 at 40% off and delivered from SoCal to Tallahassee in 5 days. You've got options.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Demand a replacement OR a Sizeable credit.
If no resolution, request return and replacement and if it going to be another 6 months, i'd take by business elsewhere and get a refund.
Did you pay by Paypal by chance?

 

[zukihara]

Call and let your inner Karen flow! If you cannot get something right that costs that much, then either come get it or make it right!

 

[Rubberfrog]

Send it back

 

[CMMorgan]

I paid the invoice through something called Freshbooks. I just sent Adam @ American Aquariums a message letting him know that it arrived incorrectly. I'm going to give him a chance to do the right thing before I unleash any Karens. If he blows me off... well... my red hair is where my horns used to be.

Thanks for the support. My husband told me that these are first world problems.

 

[Jedi1199]

Am I overreacting to be annoyed by this? What was the point of verifying the dimensions if it arrives 1.5" different in one direction?

Absolutely not! You ordered a "Custom" tank. That means it should have been made to exactly what you ordered with zero deviation. That is the whole point of custom building.

Personally, I would figure out exactly what it would cost in labor and materials to alter the stand to fit the tank. Then contact the tank builder and negotiate a deal to compensate you for that cost. Ask for double and work down, after all your time is just as valuable as theirs. You had a custom stand made, to fit a custom tank (They don't need to know you did it yourself). The tank you received is not as ordered so its on the tank manufacturer to make it right.

Given the time it took to get the tank in the first place, I think that would be your most realistic option.

To add a little salt to it, they was supposed to be a refund check for $184 taped inside the tank. I guess that is taped in the missing 1.5" section.

That last part made me lol.

 

[Jedi1199]

If he blows me off... well... my red hair is where my horns used to be.

OMG... my GF is a red head... They are in trouble for sure!! HAHA!!

 

[CMMorgan]

OMG... my GF is a red head... They are in trouble for sure!! HAHA!!

They say we get a freckle for every soul we steal.... Adam better watch out, I live in Florida... we freckle easy.

 

[Daveobrien]

I paid the invoice through something called Freshbooks. I just sent Adam @ American Aquariums a message letting him know that it arrived incorrectly. I'm going to give him a chance to do the right thing before I unleash any Karens. If he blows me off... well... my red hair is where my horns used to be.

Thanks for the support. My husband told me that these are first world problems.

When you talk, ask if there's a chance they simply shipped you the wrong tank. Back is wrong color, it's too short front to back, and no check taped inside. Almost too obvious to miss. Feels like they mixed up shipping labels.

 

[CMMorgan]

Personally, I would figure out exactly what it would cost in labor and materials to alter the stand to fit the tank. Then contact the tank builder and negotiate a deal to compensate you for that cost. Ask for double and work down, after all your time is just as valuable as theirs. You had a custom stand made, to fit a custom tank (They don't need to know you did it yourself). The tank you received is not as ordered so its on the tank manufacturer to make it right.

There is no altering this stand. It took me two weeks to build it. It's glued, screwed, filled and painted. There is even a rubber mat between the frame and the top plywood to allow for wood expansion. (Florida humidity) Even that was glued. The QSO panel for the side is made and it can't be trimmed. So that means the tank will stand proud of the wall by 2.5", even if I rebuild the stand.
Honestly, if the back wasn't the wrong color... I'd probably be finding a way to rationalize this right now. I'm just sooooo ticked that it is black. I really hate black on the back of tanks.

 

[CMMorgan]

When you talk, ask if there's a chance they simply shipped you the wrong tank. Back is wrong color, it's too short front to back, and no check taped inside. Almost too obvious to miss. Feels like they mixed up shipping labels.

That is a fantastic observation! I will suggest that. THANK YOU.