Is my Red Sea Reefer XL 425 safe to fill? Serious concern.

Mike.P

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I'm not exactly new, but I've been away for three years... The reason for that was that a new 150g tank I just set up cracked three days after filling, and destroyed my freshly remodeled basement, and new hardwood floor. After that, I just couldn't bring myself to start over.

Now I'm back, but I'm sensing a potential nightmare again. I have a brand new Red Sea Reefer 425 XL. The stand is completely level, checked it in every spot. But when the tank is on it, two opposite corners of the tank (rear left, front right) are significantly off the pad. I'll attach photos. I emailed Red Sea, and they replied that it should be fine, the water weight will level it out.

But I'm terrified to proceed... I've heard others say that even if one can slip a few pieces of paper under a tank, that's too much. In my case, it's well more than that. Please take a look at the pictures, and let me know your thoughts. I would greatly appreciate it.

Here are the pictures:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1D4Bspx6i1GDGBXVagD-78Vb2tBgbaZIO

20190324_143532.jpg 20190324_011358.jpg 20190324_143532.jpg 20190324_011358.jpg 20190324_143544.jpg 20190324_150529.jpg 20190324_011420.jpg 20190324_150522.jpg 20190324_011818.jpg 20190324_143513.jpg 20190324_150343.jpg 20190324_150406.jpg 20190324_150516.jpg
 

Jekyl

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I'd run with it. If disaster does strike you have the manufacturer on record telling you it's fine. They would be liable for all damages. Doubt they would say that if it weren't true
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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Is that gap present even with the leveling soft pad underneath the tank? Yikes....[emoji848][emoji15]
Yes! That's why it scares the crap out of me. Especially being that it's opposite corners raised like that. If you look at the pics of it sitting on the floor (brown rug), you can really see it.
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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That seems weird to me. I thought tanks were supposed to sit flush. Have you turned the tank over and checked it with a straight edge?
I haven't tried that, no... Is it okay to flip a rimless tank over like that, and set it on the edges? I think it is that bottom panel though... In the pic where it's sitting on the rug, I'm pretty certain that there's curvature. Unless it's in my imagination.

Maybe I'm just overreacting on account of the last disaster, talk about emotional scars. lol. But it doesn't seem right... I was just over at Petsmart buying cat food, and looked at their tanks. They have "cheapo" 100g+ tanks sitting completely flush on stands, without mats.
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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I'd run with it. If disaster does strike you have the manufacturer on record telling you it's fine. They would be liable for all damages. Doubt they would say that if it weren't true
Oh, that email is saved, believe me... But even if they pay for it, it's still a nightmare to deal with.
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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It looks like a curve or bad cut on the glass. Take a straight edge and compare to see if it’s is indeed curved.
Well, the straight edge definitely showed something, thank you for that idea. Here is a bunch more pictures, including ones showing the top of the tank is completely level. That bottom edge is a different story, as I can see now. So the stand looks perfect to me. The tank 20190401_224344.jpg 20190401_224433.jpg 20190401_224357.jpg 20190401_222016.jpg 20190401_224256.jpg 20190401_222001.jpg 20190401_224437.jpg 20190401_222049.jpg 20190401_222036.jpg 20190401_224504.jpg 20190401_222115.jpg 20190401_224319.jpg 20190401_224509.jpg 20190401_222102.jpg 20190401_224317.jpg 20190401_224507.jpg 20190401_224326.jpg 20190401_224512.jpg 's totally flush on the left, then when you move right, starting at about 13" (sorry, had the stick upside down) it starts to raise up. Also I can't seem to get the pictures to upload in order, my apologies.
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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By the way, a big thank you to you all! I've read this forum a lot, during my three year hiatus, living vicariously through all of you. Now that I've joined, it's a great feeling to see so many people willing to help out, right off the bat. I greatly appreciate it. :)
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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Send Red Sea an email with the pics. There is definitely something going on there. Keep us posted.

That's what I figured, I'll be sending them all of these pictures today, and I'm going to the store I got it from right now.

I would call the credit card company and stop payment. Call RS and demand a new tank. It's as simple as that, you shouldn't have to deal with such imperfections if RS is trying to market themselves as a top quality brand.

I paid cash for it at a local store, so no such option. I'd rather not quite go nuclear yet, maybe they'll understand now, and take care of it. That was a lot of the reason I went with Red Sea over Water Box, is from what I heard, they have great customer service.

Does anyone know any Red Sea reps who are on here, that they've maybe dealt with in the past?
 

undermind

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I'll third the opinion of getting a new tank from RS. I know that it's a lot of work unpacking and moving that sucker. I've got the same tank. But in the end, losing a week of time, and dealing with the logistics is nothing compared to some peace of mind long term.
 

George81

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I would just get a new tank. I went through a similar situation. I took my really old 90gallon that had the centre brace broken, the bottom brace was missing large pieces. I emailed the manufacturer they said the same thing. It should be fine. I got new glass braces cut, re siliconed the entire tank, cleaned it right up because it was outside for nearly a decade. I spent nearly a week working on cleaning the glass, resealing spent like 40$ on cleaning products, silicone, 80$ on new glass braces. Filled it up, the centre glass brace let go and I said forget it. The tank is going in my new newly renovated part of the house. I called around and for 450$ I was able to get a 120 gallon and I can sleep well at night.
The 90 has been sitting in the garage for over a month- full, so I know it’s not leaking and it’s fine but why risk a future issue for 450$. When I move into my other house I’ll use the 90 as a Fuge or sump or frag tank and run it at 1/2-3/4 capacity.

Should be fine doesn’t mean it is fine. They carefully worded that to remove liability. In the grand scheme of things if you’ve suffered through one disaster and ruined probably thousands in flooring why risk it for a few hundred bucks.
Just my 2 cents.
 

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I am very surprised that Red Sea said it would be ok.

Personally, I would tell them that it makes you extremely uncomfortable and would like another one. I think if you explain that you are scared to fill it, they will understand.

A reefer not wanting to get their tank wet should be a good sign that something is off lol.

Let us know what they say when you email back. I think a kind exchange with them will get you more than if you go the nuclear route.
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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I would just get a new tank. I went through a similar situation. I took my really old 90gallon that had the centre brace broken, the bottom brace was missing large pieces. I emailed the manufacturer they said the same thing. It should be fine. I got new glass braces cut, re siliconed the entire tank, cleaned it right up because it was outside for nearly a decade. I spent nearly a week working on cleaning the glass, resealing spent like 40$ on cleaning products, silicone, 80$ on new glass braces. Filled it up, the centre glass brace let go and I said forget it. The tank is going in my new newly renovated part of the house. I called around and for 450$ I was able to get a 120 gallon and I can sleep well at night.
The 90 has been sitting in the garage for over a month- full, so I know it’s not leaking and it’s fine but why risk a future issue for 450$. When I move into my other house I’ll use the 90 as a Fuge or sump or frag tank and run it at 1/2-3/4 capacity.

Should be fine doesn’t mean it is fine. They carefully worded that to remove liability. In the grand scheme of things if you’ve suffered through one disaster and ruined probably thousands in flooring why risk it for a few hundred bucks.
Just my 2 cents.

I think you're absolutely right. Honestly, even assuming they pay for all the damage, I remember well what a nightmare it was to just deal with.
 
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Mike.P

Mike.P

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I am very surprised that Red Sea said it would be ok.

Personally, I would tell them that it makes you extremely uncomfortable and would like another one. I think if you explain that you are scared to fill it, they will understand.

A reefer not wanting to get their tank wet should be a good sign that something is off lol.

Let us know what they say when you email back. I think a kind exchange with them will get you more than if you go the nuclear route.

Which is true... I'm terrified to put water I this thing. Ugh.

I went to the LFS that ordered it for me yesterday, the owner said he'll call the distributor, and see what can be done. I have him all of the pictures that I've posted here, as well.
 

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