Another Red Sea Reefer Failure

[Peristaltic_Rush]

I am just getting back in as well and thought I was buying a reputable brand and system. I purchased the G2 250 maxx.... Now wondering if i just have a time bomb.

 

[piranhaman00]

I’m a Reefer G1 failure victim also. I honestly think ALL G1 owners need to invest in a good set of ratchet straps and C clamps. I didn’t have them when my leak sprung but I ran out to Home Depot and grabbed them. I placed a strap near the ruptured seam and at the top and bottom. I also use the C clamps on the side of the tank where the leak was located. This allowed me to keep fill the tank again and keep it running for another two months.

Wait what ? You ran a tank held together with clamps ? lol risky

 

[SavvyCane]

Wait what ? You ran a tank held together with clamps ? lol risky

Yep, two C clamps and 2 ratchet straps. It would initially be temporary, but after seeing how well it had stopped the leak, I decided to add water to bring the sump back online. I was in a bad accident about 3 weeks before it ruptured, which left me with fractured ribs and a collarbone. I couldn't empty the tank, so it was a risk I had to take. :upside-down-face: Unfortunately, I don't have pics of it filled after the rupture.

 

[geologeek]

I think red sea should ship their tanks with some of this butyl tape at the rate their tanks fail .........

 

[squids30]

Is it just the g1s or are G2s failing too? Didn't know about these failures and purchased a brand new Redsea 525 g2 a few months ago.

 

[SavvyCane]

Is it just the g1s or are G2s failing too? Didn't know about these failures and purchased a brand new Redsea 525 g2 a few months ago.

It’s mainly the G1 tanks. The G2 tanks have better support for the front panel and the seams are fortified. I’m in a XXL 750 G2 now. :grimacing-face:

Keep in mind, any tank can fail do to set up errors or seam damage caused by the owners.

 

[BeanAnimal]

It’s mainly the G1 tanks. The G2 tanks have better support for the front panel and the seams are fortified. I’m in a XXL 750 G2 now. :grimacing-face:

I think there are starting to be reports of G2 failures, improvements or not.

Keep in mind, any tank can fail do to set up errors or seam damage caused by the owners.

User error and flawed design or manufacturing defect are two different things that need not be conflated.

 

[Harpo]

I think there are starting to be reports of G2 failures, improvements or not.


User error and flawed design or manufacturing defect are two different things that need not be confl

If the design is robust enough it will insulate against most user errors.

 

[Dom]

This is the display Red Sea tank in my LFS. It’s an 8’ tank and it’s going to destroy the store when that seal bursts!

That likely won't be a problem. The bubble is at the top where water pressure is minimal.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

The aesthetics of red sea tanks are incredible, and the improvements in the G2 series are great.

The AIO (cabinet, sump included, plumbing etc.) makes these tanks a great value as well.

People worked really hard on that, but some design/material issues gave us the disaster we have now

And a failing tank is about as bad as a failing airplane in terms of how catastrophic it is to deal with

It's just sad all around.

If it wasn't for the failures, I could see myself going with redsea. Their aesthetics are top notch. But I don't take risks for the prices they ask.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

If the design is robust enough it will insulate against most user errors.

Agreed considering if user error's were the partial issue. We would see more failures across all brands due to it.

 

[SavvyCane]

I think there are starting to be reports of G2 failures, improvements or not.


User error and flawed design or manufacturing defect are two different things that need not be conflated.

I agree they don't need to be conflated, so I hit return and placed it on a separate line. However, I still think it's important to ensure proper balancing and prevent damage to the seam during cleaning, even on a reliably built tank.

 

[SavvyCane]

Agreed considering if user error's were the partial issue. We would see more failures across all brands due to it.

Many brands learned from Red Sea's failures with the G1 line and introduced measures to help limit failures. All brands have failures; Red Sea just shot to the top because of the volume of tanks sold and the price point they were sold at. They failed thousands of hobbyists.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Go acrylic and sleep well every night. Just make sure it is uses a full bonded on top with cut out access openings.

 

[Bacon505]

I had 3 clients with red sea that that had busted seems in the front pannel.

 

[BryanM]

Is it just the g1s or are G2s failing too? Didn't know about these failures and purchased a brand new Redsea 525 g2 a few months ago.

This question doesn't matter today. redsea is dead to me with all the issues.

Wifey loves the tank, its in the only place in the house that we could put it, and that wall has two more feet to grow. So next year sometime we're getting a new, 6footer, from a better vendor.

 

[geologeek]

That likely won't be a problem. The bubble is at the top where water pressure is minimal.

Unless it starts migrating towards the front and side seam...... especially in an LFS with kiddies tapping the glass saying "fishy, fishy", "there's Nemo" or "I found Dory"

 

[BeanAnimal]

If the design is robust enough it will insulate against most user errors.

That is an ambiguous idea that wholly depends on context and is not really relevant to these breaks.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Many brands learned from Red Sea's failures with the G1 line and introduced measures to help limit failures. All brands have failures; Red Sea just shot to the top because of the volume of tanks sold and the price point they were sold at. They failed thousands of hobbyists.

That is not why they "shot to the top"

"all brands have failures" -- maybe true

"because of the volume of tanks sold and price point" -- be careful here. The reported failure rates towers above that of ALL OTHER brands sold COMBINED over the last 25+ years. This is not about sales volume, it is about a design or quality control (or both) issue.

 

[SavvyCane]

That is not why they "shot to the top"

"all brands have failures" -- maybe true

"because of the volume of tanks sold and price point" -- be careful here. The reported failure rates towers above that of ALL OTHER brands sold COMBINED over the last 25+ years. This is not about sales volume, it is about a design or quality control (or both) issue.

You aren't getting my point. The "shot to the top" comment was about quickly ascending to the top of the failure and complaint list.

I agree there is a significant flaw in their G1 design and QC. I'm a Reefer XL 425 seam rupture victim amongst many, so there is no denying that. Red Sea created a very appealing product with a pretty hefty price tag. Reefer G1 tanks were being sold at a high volume, so of course, you will hear more about a $5k tank rupture vs a $200 tank picked up at PetSmart. ALL OTHER brands weren't building true rimless tanks in the size range of the Reefer tank over the last 25+ years. Most tanks with a rimless look were euro-braced.