Red Sea Seam Issues - (please read before voting)

[Reef Devils]

I got the 350 G2. No problem YET. I hope it stays that way. 1 year old

 

[Northern Flicker]

When you're the best there is always someone trying to take your crown away.

I hope you don't mean Red Sea lol

 

[Kettennis]

3 years and 4 months, then this happened. No issue with Red Sea but I had issue with Rea Red aquarium. They offered me $800 toward new tank, not worth the stress. I am currently renovating my house due to water damages. Cade will arrive after renovation is completed.

 

[i cant think]

There has been a lot of conversation lately about Red Sea aquariums and faulty seams that sometimes lead to catastrophic failures. But it's difficult to reach a consensus because the conversation often gets muddied with crosstalk. Please only vote for the category that suits YOUR experience. Do not use "I know a guy" logic to vote. I would like this to be as accurate a representation as possible (of the user experience from our membership), so please spread the word and have people vote.

I’m currently on my RS S-700 G2+ and haven’t had issues yet. It’s still only 2 months though and I do pray it never leaks… It hold some of my absolute dream wrasses and fish to own.

 

[Lavey29]

I hope you don't mean Red Sea lol

If you have to ask you're in second place

 

[victoria casella]

There has been a lot of conversation lately about Red Sea aquariums and faulty seams that sometimes lead to catastrophic failures. But it's difficult to reach a consensus because the conversation often gets muddied with crosstalk. Please only vote for the category that suits YOUR experience. Do not use "I know a guy" logic to vote. I would like this to be as accurate a representation as possible (of the user experience from our membership), so please spread the word and have people vote.

My first one was a 525 XL. It lasted eight years beautiful aquarium and then last month The bottom seam started coming apart…. Red Sea got back to me right away and offered a $900 discount on a new tank…. since I loved it, I took a chance and bought a g2 750 XXL… one month later this one has a seam failure on the end near the top… Red Sea offered to replace it and give me $200 credit toward their products. I have to say red Sea has stood behind it and gotten back to me right away to take care of the problem… it cost me a month working and transferring and I’m not even gonna tell you how much money because it’s embarrassing… plus I had to pay someone $500 to help bring it into the house and remove the old one. I’m getting older and this was supposed to be my last aquarium. Hurrah… I’m just not sure if I wanna do this again it kind of took all the fun out of it and I’m thinking of leaving the hobby after 40 years… I really don’t know what to do. Somebody help me decide….

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

My first one was a 525 XL. It lasted eight years beautiful aquarium and then last month The bottom seam started coming apart…. Red Sea got back to me right away and offered a $900 discount on a new tank…. since I loved it, I took a chance and bought a g2 750 XXL… one month later this one has a seam failure on the end near the top… Red Sea offered to replace it and give me $200 credit toward their products. I have to say red Sea has stood behind it and gotten back to me right away to take care of the problem… it cost me a month working and transferring and I’m not even gonna tell you how much money because it’s embarrassing… plus I had to pay someone $500 to help bring it into the house and remove the old one. I’m getting older and this was supposed to be my last aquarium. Hurrah… I’m just not sure if I wanna do this again it kind of took all the fun out of it and I’m thinking of leaving the hobby after 40 years… I really don’t know what to do. Somebody help me decide….

I have a RS Max S500 and a Reefer 250. Due to what you said, I went custom with Glass Cages. The Max is built like a tank, unlike a Reefer, however, water would wick up the front eurobrace and leak down the front, that is if I was lapping the water up to the brace with excess flow. Tank was 8 years old. Unlike my reefer, it also had bottom bracing. But, due to their reputation I decided I was out. I also wanted to pick every aspect of my system. More money, without doubt. More time, without doubt. Did I increase my risk vs. having a ticking time bomb, we shall see. What do I mean, since it is my build and I could do what I want, I will have 3 closed loops in a 400G peninsula. What I am saying is, if you want your last tank, consider other options. I've started to read negative things about Cade and folks that sell them and pods too (can't think of their name). I think I am just very distrusting of an imported turn key solution.

 

[JNalley]

My first one was a 525 XL. It lasted eight years beautiful aquarium and then last month The bottom seam started coming apart…. Red Sea got back to me right away and offered a $900 discount on a new tank…. since I loved it, I took a chance and bought a g2 750 XXL… one month later this one has a seam failure on the end near the top… Red Sea offered to replace it and give me $200 credit toward their products. I have to say red Sea has stood behind it and gotten back to me right away to take care of the problem… it cost me a month working and transferring and I’m not even gonna tell you how much money because it’s embarrassing… plus I had to pay someone $500 to help bring it into the house and remove the old one. I’m getting older and this was supposed to be my last aquarium. Hurrah… I’m just not sure if I wanna do this again it kind of took all the fun out of it and I’m thinking of leaving the hobby after 40 years… I really don’t know what to do. Somebody help me decide….

See, for me, that's just it. Red Sea obviously stands behind their products and has at least basic customer service down pat, you don't get where they are without it. But beyond the "Here, let's get you sorted by way of discounts and credits" there's so much more time, effort, and ancillary expense that gets sunk into this when it happens that it just doesn't make sense to continue down the same path. I wish RedSea owners luck, and I won't be joining that club. heh.

 

[Aquavaj]

Bought a second hand 425xl and ran it for almost 5 yrs without issue and has been taken down due to upgrade. This was a gen 1.

 

[victoria casella]

I have a RS Max S500 and a Reefer 250. Due to what you said, I went custom with Glass Cages. The Max is built like a tank, unlike a Reefer, however, water would wick up the front eurobrace and leak down the front, that is if I was lapping the water up to the brace with excess flow. Tank was 8 years old. Unlike my reefer, it also had bottom bracing. But, due to their reputation I decided I was out. I also wanted to pick every aspect of my system. More money, without doubt. More time, without doubt. Did I increase my risk vs. having a ticking time bomb, we shall see. What do I mean, since it is my build and I could do what I want, I will have 3 closed loops in a 400G peninsula. What I am saying is, if you want your last tank, consider other options. I've started to read negative things about Cade and folks that sell them and pods too (can't think of their name). I think I am just very distrusting of an imported turn key solution.

Yes, exactly but this is the tank that I want! I’m Crying! It’s absolutely beautiful! Even my rocks went together, so nicely this time! They just fell into place like they were meant to be… but I have to agree…I went from a 210 all glass tank (ugly, green scratched glass) to the Red Sea 8 years ago… I gave that tank to a friend and it’s still up and running today and it was purchased in 2002 and moved three times

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Yes, exactly but this is the tank that I want! I’m Crying! It’s absolutely beautiful! Even my rocks went together, so nicely this time! They just fell into place like they were meant to be… but I have to agree…I went from a 210 all glass tank (ugly, green scratched glass) to the Red Sea 8 years ago… I gave that tank to a friend and it’s still up and running today and it was purchased in 2002 and moved three times

I do have to admit one thing. There is a part of me that is concerned with my closed loop strategy. However, I did invest in 100% use of Hayward w/EPDM - bulkheads. But, in 2 years, if I am managing a drip fest, at the end of the day with as much as is invested, flipping just the glass box out is not the end of the world financially. Just a total reset is all. I like the challenge I am about to embark on. When do you have to make up your mind?

 

[victoria casella]

See, for me, that's just it. Red Sea obviously stands behind their products and has at least basic customer service down pat, you don't get where they are without it. But beyond the "Here, let's get you sorted by way of discounts and credits" there's so much more time, effort, and ancillary expense that gets sunk into this when it happens that it just doesn't make sense to continue down the same path. I wish RedSea owners luck, and I won't be joining that club. heh.

I don’t think it’s Red Sea fault completely. It’s not having braces imo it’s just not gonna last especially over 110 I just wish I would’ve decided of this last month… UGG I feel stupid… isn’t that the def? doing the same thing over and over expecting different results?

 

[victoria casella]

I do have to admit one thing. There is a part of me that is concerned with my closed loop strategy. However, I did invest in 100% use of Hayward w/EPDM - bulkheads. But, in 2 years, if I am managing a drip fest, at the end of the day with as much as is invested, flipping just the glass box out is not the end of the world financially. Just a total reset is all. I like the challenge I am about to embark on. When do you have to make up your mind?

I don’t know I ask for a refund or pay to have them swapped out…200 off their products isnt gonna do me any good I’m all set up and couldn’t be happier with my equipment except the tank. so we’ll see what they say. if they give me all my money back, I think I’m just gonna buy a regular old fashion 180. It will go right back into place without moving anything and all my equipment would work. I’ll see if I can get a local store to deliver… What stand did you get for you custom from glass Cages?… I was looking at it but with $900.
off that red they gave me it was cheaper for me to get this one…. well it was until this….

 

[paragrouper]

Good poll.

I’m with the 55%. I’ve never owned a Red Sea Tank. That’s not to say I won’t (still working on the wife to do an upgrade).

What the poll shows (thus far) is one in four of those who have owned a RS tank have had seam issues. I’ll keep that in mind, should I win the upgrade battle.

 

[vancouverredsea350]

Red Sea 350 gen1, ran no issues for 5 years and recently rehomed it and it’s still going strong.

 

[FUNGI]

525xl...G1. Used. Owned it for 3 years now
NOT using their stand....no issues.

 

[Netfish and Chill]

I have a 300xl G1 that has been in service for 4 years. It has split at the top, but I noticed it before it was an issue. It is well out of warrenty.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I don’t know I ask for a refund or pay to have them swapped out…200 off their products isnt gonna do me any good I’m all set up and couldn’t be happier with my equipment except the tank. so we’ll see what they say. if they give me all my money back, I think I’m just gonna buy a regular old fashion 180. It will go right back into place without moving anything and all my equipment would work. I’ll see if I can get a local store to deliver… What stand did you get for you custom from glass Cages?… I was looking at it but with $900.
off that red they gave me it was cheaper for me to get this one…. well it was until this….

I wouldn't base any statistics on seam failures based on unsubstantiated ownership on R2R. I do think there is a known issue. It is for sure crappy stands. I also (personally) think not deploying a eurobrace is a party foul. This IMHO. I went pure safety with my 96x36 peninsula and have both euro and glass cross bracing. I have insurance and have even met with my insurance company about my love for tanks, so I am covered. That still doesn't mitigate the fact I would prefer to not have to deal with 3K sq ft of hardwood issues on my first floor. Plus the legalized claw-back insurance companies can do with premiums vs. claims. My stand is as shown below, 15 steel uprights:

 

[JNalley]

I don’t think it’s Red Sea fault completely. It’s not having braces imo it’s just not gonna last especially over 110 I just wish I would’ve decided of this last month… UGG I feel stupid… isn’t that the def? doing the same thing over and over expecting different results?

But there are several companies that offer braceless above 110 gallon tanks that don't have the same track record. I agree, having a Eurobrace is far better than not having one, and for me makes the most sense when deciding what to buy, but we're also pretending here like RedSea didn't choose to go braceless on their own, right? Ultimately, it was their choice that led to the failures

 

[boostle]

i own two red sea tanks, 170 and 425, no failures. If i had to buy anther tank i would because no way in hell should i have to worry about a seam on an aquarium that is leff than 5 yeats old. I have an old Leemar in LA that is like 30 years old and still flawlless..