The dreaded Red Sea post

[DeathPulse]

I foolishly bought a redsea reefer max G2+. The tank is 5 months old and I just found a bubble in the lower right seam of the tank. It’s about 2 inches long. I’m currently waiting to hear from redsea my LFS where I bought the tank said it doesn’t look like a problem.

 

[TylerHaworth]

My 4 year old Reefer 300 is holding strong for now, but I've got a replacement in the works... Too many of these stories around to take the risk.

I'd say the tank is absolutely not fine and you need to get it warrantied at the minimum. The risk to life and property is just huge.

 

[exnisstech]

Looks like the begining of the end to me. What do you think @UncommonSense?

 

[billyocean]

They always say its fine. Until its not.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Find a new LFS if theyre trying to tell you thats not a problem.

 

[NeutronMan]

Looks like the seam protector and not the seam. My 170 is similar and hasn’t gotten worse after 2 years now, but I’m still planning a new tank upgrade once I’m out of my rental and into a new house.

I’d watch it and not panic as long as it doesn’t go beyond 1/4in (thickness of the protector).

 

[UncommonSense]

Looks like the begining of the end to me. What do you think @UncommonSense?

This one appears to be peeling from under the seam “armor”, between armor and structural seam!

It’s about 2 inches long.

The visible mirrored looking peeled area does not appear to be into the structural seam quite yet, though looks can be deceiving!

I recommend shining a bright point light source like your phone’s flashlight directly against the glass at that seam, adjacent to the visible peeling… this can really help to show any signs otherwise invisible torn silicone inside the structural seam!

(If the silicone tears, vs. peeling, the seam often looks visibly perfect from both sides until you get light on it and see the lighter colored spots where light is shining through silicone void!)

Example Reefer XL425 seam below, slit wide open from top to bottom with a razor, very little visible seam damage to the casual observer:

 

[DeathPulse]

Looks like the begining of the end to me. What do you think @UncommonSense?

This one appears to be peeling from under the seam “armor”, between armor and structural seam!

It’s about 2 inches long.

The visible mirrored looking peeled area does not appear to be into the structural seam quite yet, though looks can be deceiving!

I recommend shining a bright point light source like your phone’s flashlight directly against the glass at that seam, adjacent to the visible peeling… this can really help to show any signs otherwise invisible torn silicone inside the structural seam!

(If the silicone tears, vs. peeling, the seam often looks visibly perfect from both sides until you get light on it and see the lighter colored spots where light is shining through silicone void!)

Example Reefer XL425 seam below, slit wide open from top to bottom with a razor, very little visible seam damage to the casual observer:

These are some of the pictures I shot off to Red Sea. I am still awaiting their decision.

 

[Tripod1404]

This whole seam protector vs. seam thing in my opinion in meaningless. I had two Red Sea tank failures and in both cases separation started at the protector but moved down the the actual seam.

Seam protectors function is to protect the seam against physical damage. The image clearly shows it is separating at the middle, so it is not a physical damage thing, it is good old Red Sea silicone failure.

 

[DeathPulse]

**UPDATE**
Red Sea is sending a replacement glass. They agree the tank is no longer safe to use.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Sucks its at the bottom. I was lucky and mine was on the top left...lasted six years and started separating after a bubble formed just like that.

 

[NeutronMan]

**UPDATE**
Red Sea is sending a replacement glass. They agree the tank is no longer safe to use.

Wow, I’m surprised at them for treating you right. I’ve seen them deny plenty of very obvious and serious looking failures.

I’m still going with someone else on my next one though :-)

 

[DeathPulse]

**UPDATE**
Red Sea is sending a replacement glass. They agree the tank is no longer safe to use.

Wow, I’m surprised at them for treating you right. I’ve seen them deny plenty of very obvious and serious looking failures.

I’m still going with someone else on my next one though :-)

I was wondering if they would fight me, but they didn’t. Unfortunately I think I’m going to pack it up and sell everything off after this. I had so much time and money in this tank.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Wow, I’m surprised at them for treating you right. I’ve seen them deny plenty of very obvious and serious looking failures.

I’m still going with someone else on my next one though :-)

The new G3s are still having seam failures. I went with a UNS personally.

 

[UncommonSense]

The new G3s are still having seam failures. I went with a UNS personally.

I’ve yet to see any G3 failure posts, at least around here… have they really started failing already? (~8months after release!)

 

[NeutronMan]

I was wondering if they would fight me, but they didn’t. Unfortunately I think I’m going to pack it up and sell everything off after this. I had so much time and money in this tank.

Sell the replacement tank and buy something else. Dont give up the hobby! This is a great one to get addicted to.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

The new G3s are still having seam failures. I went with a UNS personally.

Can you provide a source for this? I, too, havent heard this yet.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Sell the replacement tank and buy something else. Dont give up the hobby! This is a great one to get addicted to.

I second this.

Definitely look into UNS. I have close friends locally that own a LFS and fell in love with the tank. Full aluminum frame, beautifully mitered glass with 45 degree seams. Doors are magnetic and completely come off so they're not in the way. Not cheap, but a tank that will last a long time.

Here is my new setup, my Red Sea just went down about three weeks ago:

 

[MichaelReefer]

Can you provide a source for this? I, too, havent heard this yet.

Just local discussions ive heard.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Just local discussions ive heard.

Hmmm. Im the furthest thing from a Red Sea apologist, but I havent heard of a single G3 failing yet, and believe me, I'm looking for it. I hope this isnt a "talk is cheap" word of mouth thing without basis. If it is real, I'd like to see some documentation somehow.