Potential Redsea Reefer 350 seam failure?

[helwrj28]

Last night while cleaning my tank I noticed what might be a seam failure.. the tank has been great it's a G1 V3 that I purchased in 2020, but of course I've heard horror stories of other Redsea tanks. Please see attached photo and let me know your thoughts thanks. I also emailed Redsea and waiting for a response, but of course this tank being 6 years old I don't think I have much course of action in the event I need a new tank

 

[SFNanoReef]

Very unfortunate. You got 6 years out of it, but it’s time to start planning for a replacement. That seam is clearly failing, and the risk of a blowout is too high to ignore.

 

[NeutronMan]

My 170 looks like that along the bottom seam. If you look closely, the failure doesn’t go beyond about 1/4 in. Red Sea explained that that is actually the seam protector that has failed and that the seam itself is okay as long as it doesn’t go beyond the 1/4 in mark. Once it goes beyond that mark, it’s toast.

My 170 has been this way for awhile now and hasn’t progressed beyond the 1/4 in mark. I’m still planning a tank upgrade though and I’d advise that you do, too. This is a great excuse for a nicer and larger tank!

 

[rasmus2809]

Yes, it is the beginning but you still have time. It doesn't look very advanced, and it could potentially hold up for a long time still.
The real question is: Will you be able to sleep at night knowing this will fail at some point? Or go away on a weekend trip, holiday etc?
Start planning for a new tank while you still have time to do it right.

Put something fixed on the glass to track the progression (tape, pen marks etc.).
I have just been through it with a RSR 525 where i could see the delamination progress weekly.


Red Sea will tell you all is good and it's only the seam protector, no need to even read their mail.

 

[exnisstech]

Its out of warranty so RS is likely to tell you to empty the tank, I've heard of them doing that. In warranty they will say exactly what they said to @NeutronMan which is what they told me about my failing reefer 300. I call BS and it's just their way of denying warranty coverage. I'm looking for replacement and wouldn't fill another RS tank in my home even if they did send a new one.
This is my G2 300 less than 3 yo.

When it started

From a few months ago

RS programmed response

This is my reefer 170 failure that I scrapped. I'm so done with RS and can not understand why people still buy their tanks.

 

[helwrj28]

Thanks everyone for the assistance.

I did get a response from RedSea looking for additional information and documentation. Hopefully I can locate my receipt from 6 years ago, but I'm not too optimistic they'll be of much help anyways

 

[helwrj28]

Anyone have recommendations on other comparable brands? I also want to consider a rimmed tank option...

I updated RS.. waiting to hear back

 

[UncommonSense]

Anyone have recommendations on other comparable brands? I also want to consider a rimmed tank option...

I updated RS.. waiting to hear back

So far, I’ve been quite impressed with @Joe Glass Cages and his team’s work!

 

[exnisstech]

Anyone have recommendations on other comparable brands? I also want to consider a rimmed tank option...

I updated RS.. waiting to hear back

I'm considering an eshopps mariner as a replacement for mine. If wanted to diy plumbing it would be a glass cages. I'm still kicking around a glass cages build and using the RS stand and sump but haven't decided yet since I wouldn't mind moving up to a 48" tank.

 

[helwrj28]

Can you elaborate more on the glass cages?

 

[helwrj28]

Its out of warranty so RS is likely to tell you to empty the tank, I've heard of them doing that. In warranty they will say exactly what they said to @NeutronMan which is what they told me about my failing reefer 300. I call BS and it's just their way of denying warranty coverage. I'm looking for replacement and wouldn't fill another RS tank in my home even if they did send a new one.
This is my G2 300 less than 3 yo.

When it started

From a few months ago

RS programmed response

This is my reefer 170 failure that I scrapped. I'm so done with RS and can not understand why people still buy their tanks.

How much time allotted from when you first had issues to when you took the video?

 

[exnisstech]

How much time allotted from when you first had issues to when you took the video?

TBH I can't really remember. The 170 was running for 6 years.

 

[rtparty]

Budget will determine what you’re looking at. If you want use the same stand and have more control, Glasscages is a no brainer. Joe and team can build it to your exact specs, eurobrace it, and make you a beauty of a tank

If looking off the shelf, the Innovative Marine 150 EXT is phenomenal. I don’t like their sumps and them forcing them upon us but you can sell it for a little bit and make your own sump easy enough

 

[helwrj28]

Budget will determine what you’re looking at. If you want use the same stand and have more control, Glasscages is a no brainer. Joe and team can build it to your exact specs, eurobrace it, and make you a beauty of a tank

If looking off the shelf, the Innovative Marine 150 EXT is phenomenal. I don’t like their sumps and them forcing them upon us but you can sell it for a little bit and make your own sump easy enough

I appreciate your input, I would definitely like to keep the stand and sump as it just seems the most economical. If Glasscages are reasonable I'll consider that. Otherwise do you think it would work to use IM with my other equipment as mentioned?

 

[rtparty]

I appreciate your input, I would definitely like to keep the stand and sump as it just seems the most economical. If Glasscages are reasonable I'll consider that. Otherwise do you think it would work to use IM with my other equipment as mentioned?

It might be difficult to find an off the shelf tank with the same dimensions as your stand

 

[helwrj28]

It might be difficult to find an off the shelf tank with the same dimensions as your stand

I know that's my fear too... I'll reach out to glass cages as that sounds like it might be more economical to reuse as much as I can

 

[helwrj28]

Here's the response from RS:

Good morning Robert,

Thank you for providing us with the additional photos of the areas of concern.

Our team has carefully reviewed all the photos and information that you have shared. We have concluded that your aquarium is not at risk of failure, as the seam protectors are effectively doing their job.

The aquarium is designed with quarter-inch seam protector strips along its front seams. These strips act as a protective layer for the actual seams of the aquarium. The seam protector strips are installed in Red Sea aquariums to prevent damage to the main seal that holds the glass together. This damage can be caused by cleaning the glass, wear and tear, and some algae and crustaceans that like to burrow. Upon reviewing the photos you provided, we can see that there is a section of the seam protector that has some separation present at the internal edge, but it does not approach or extend into the aquarium's actual seam. This indicates that the true seams of your aquarium are completely intact and the aquarium's integrity has not been affected in any way.

If the problem area changes or extends past the quarter-inch mark in the future, we encourage you to reach out to us.

 

[FragDaddy420]

This doesnt look like the failure I had on my 350.

 

[NYCBOB]

My 4 year old Reefer 350 G2 is having water seeped in too. Redsea offered credit of $923 credit towards new tank. Not so sure I'd accept that offer for a G3. Leaning towards getting Innovative Marine 100 but 2-3 months wait time.

 

[The new fish on the block]

My 4 year old Reefer 350 G2 is having water seeped in too. Redsea offered credit of $923 credit towards new tank. Not so sure I'd accept that offer for a G3. Leaning towards getting Innovative Marine 100 but 2-3 months wait time.

I sorry you are going through this, my 350's front seem also began to fail a couple of years back. I no longer recommend RedSea tanks as this is caused IMO by a design flaw that they have YET to fix. ( the front pane of glass overhanging the the stand without support)

Here is an idea if you really want to go the innovative marine route. Go to your local farm supply store (tractor supply is where I got mine) and get a 100 gal rubbermaid livestock tank to use as a holding system. You really only need to run a couple of wave makers and your heater to keep things alive. I also threw in my skimmer to help with removing waste, but if you are on top of your water changes you should be fine without. You'll also need lighting if you have corals.

I kept my livestock in one of these for several months until I got my replacement tank. Hope this helps!