URGENT Tank Advice Needed - LEAKING!

[Ziggy17]

Contact RedSea and start a warranty claim. Not sure how long you’ve had it but if you registered it with them then you have a 5 year warranty and this is a covered defect. They’ll ship a new one.

As per his post, it’s used and older.

 

[JayM]

If you understand how a 2 part silicone works and how human error mixes in, it’s not at all difficult to see why some fail and others don’t.

If the hardener portion of a 2 part silicone isn’t mixed in PERFECTLY, it will not adhere and cure properly. Total example and not real numbers, if employee A is supposed to mix 10 grams of hardener into solution and mix it for 2 minutes before using but decided that 9.5 grams and 1 minute 45 seconds is “good enough”….well now you introduced an issue that will only effect a certain percentage.

I’m definitely not the silicone expert, but the only two part silicone adhesive/sealant I’ve ever seen comes in tubes that mix in the nozzle as it’s dispensing, and they’re about $150 a tube. I can’t imagine any mass produced tank would be using a product that expensive. Especially when it would take 3-5 tubes depending on tank size.

 

[UncommonSense]

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Just following up:

Hopefully the tank held for the night, and the livestock/rock transfer went smoothly?

 

[UncommonSense]

I’m definitely not the silicone expert, but the only two part silicone adhesive/sealant I’ve ever seen comes in tubes that mix in the nozzle as it’s dispensing, and they’re about $150 a tube. I can’t imagine any mass produced tank would be using a product that expensive. Especially when it would take 3-5 tubes depending on tank size.

This may be true for us mere hobbyists…

However, consider a large corporation, operating in China, working directly with other Chinese companies, ordering silicone by the metric ton… — that will exponentially drop the price! (Possibly making it even cheaper than a single part RTV silicone when you consider getting each part as a bulk ingredient!)

 

[Ziggy17]

This may be true for us mere hobbyists…

However, consider a large corporation, operating in China, working directly with other Chinese companies, ordering silicone by the metric ton… — that will exponentially drop the price! (Possibly making it even cheaper than a single part RTV silicone when you consider getting each part as a bulk ingredient!)

This is still under the assumption they are mixing to order. Extremely unlikely. Based on my common sense, I think it’s manufacturer defects and not a silicone issue. Or else we would be seeing more tanks pop. We would also see more than one seam on the tank get affected if indeed it was silicone. A defect would likely affect the spot where something happened. Faulty silicone mix would affect each seam in that tank.

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

Sorry to hear you’re going through this and having your thread derailed as insult to injury.

In the unlikely event you’re NI, feel free to reach out. I have a few massive containers and would be happy to lend a hand if needed.

 

[UncommonSense]

This is still under the assumption they are mixing to order. Extremely unlikely. Based on my common sense, I think it’s manufacturer defects and not a silicone issue. Or else we would be seeing more tanks pop. We would also see more than one seam on the tank get affected if indeed it was silicone. A defect would likely affect the spot where something happened. Faulty silicone mix would affect each seam in that tank.

I was referring to the cost/availability of materials, not the method(s) used to work with them!

However, I do know my RS reefer 450 is failing in both front vertical silicone seams; I’m tempted to scrape the vinyl off the vertical edges of the rear pane so I can really see if the silicone is separating at the rear vertical seams as well!

 

[W31Olds]

Agree with Amatuer, this silicone issue has been discussed extensively and is pure speculation as to the cause of these failures. Nim's case doesn't fit the norm being a rear seal, and correct me if I'm wrong, is looking to Forum Members for options on transferring/saving his livestock.

 

[Fordtruckman13]

Any updates?

 

[nim6us]

Well it's done! The evac that is...

The whole tank is moved to a giant 450L pond bin, took an entire day but I did it. New tank will be here Thursday, I went with a Red Sea Reefer S-550. Now I just have to race the clock and get everything built so I can move my livestock before things start crashing in the holding bin.

Will be rigging up a light mount tomorrow. But if anyone has any tips for keeping this pond bin going I'm all ears. I've got heat, powerheads, my Apex, an ammonia alert badge now and some nitrifying bacteria coming tomorrow.

Good news is, the tank didn't explode, put water all over floor and kill all my livestock! Thanks for the advice all! Look out for a new build thread.

 

[nickng]

I’m definitely not the silicone expert, but the only two part silicone adhesive/sealant I’ve ever seen comes in tubes that mix in the nozzle as it’s dispensing, and they’re about $150 a tube. I can’t imagine any mass produced tank would be using a product that expensive. Especially when it would take 3-5 tubes depending on tank size.

From what I read on the German forums, there’s confirmation that a two part silicone is used on redsea tanks not the usual 1 part silicone that smells as it cures.

 

[W31Olds]

Good Job, I would put a corner guard on that left rear corner of your new tank.

 

[W31Olds]

I've read the German Forum and found it to be pure speculation. And even if it was the silicone, why would you modify the stands and change the glass thickness and never have any failure at the rear seal areas. The fact that Nim is going with a second Red Sea Tank still makes me think his cat caused it.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Who is Jimmy?

Who is Hillary?

Jimmy is a cool cat that does content for @SaltwaterAq . I just have the draw the line in the sand (that continuously flows out of failed seams in RedSea tanks). https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/v...-don’t-have-to-newbie-reef-build-2-0.1118368/

 

[rtparty]

I've read the German Forum and found it to be pure speculation. And even if it was the silicone, why would you modify the stands and change the glass thickness and never have any failure at the rear seal areas. The fact that Nim is going with a second Red Sea Tank still makes me think his cat caused it.

Why change the stands and glass thickness? Because that doesn’t slow down production. Moving to a 1 part silicone at least doubles the cure time. Thus, halting production and killing profits.

Admitting to a change in silicone also admits they know what is causing the failures….the silicone.

Why do we see the same failure over and over? The most pressure on the silicone to hold is at the same point we see the failures (at least from what I could find.) The stand retrofits didn’t fix it. The new support pieces under the front glass didn’t fix it either. On the back you have an overflow on many tanks and/or full support under that area from day 1

Multiple tank builders in Europe confirmed the issues with 2 part silicone and why they won’t use it.

As for the OP, I would never in a million years go with a Red Sea

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

It amazes me that people even supported Sleepy Joe when they were told the lights were no longer on in the attic.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

It amazes me that people even supported Sleepy Joe when they were told the lights were no longer on in the attic.

this has nothing to do with the topic. Maybe you’re in the wrong place.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

this has nothing to do with the topic. Maybe you’re in the wrong place.

Taken straight from Google:

• Comparison, not literal:
  Metaphors are not meant to be taken literally. They are symbolic or figurative comparisons. For example, saying "her voice was music" doesn't mean her voice literally has musical notes, but rather that it's pleasant and beautiful, like music.
  
  

 

[Reefering1]

this has nothing to do with the topic. Maybe you’re in the wrong place.

It speaks to the natural tendency where people ignore what's right in front them in the name of supporting their preferred brand.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I had two Red Sea tanks. I have 4 Red Sea rollers and 4 Waves. You will just never see me sport a Red Sea tank. I’m going to have to go to the vault and find the video of my Max S500 that would leak from the front euro brace through that black band. Craziest thing ever. And, clearly that wasn’t a Reefer. I did have one of those too, it never showed signs of a problem. I pray the guy that bought it can still say the same. I think the Max was used to tie off a battleship. Has anyone ever tried to lift a max? I honestly think at what 106g for the display, it weighs more than my 400g peninsula.