I'm looking to buy a new tank this spring, a local LFS has some of interest for probably the best price I'll find around here . My question is how can you tell it's an official "All Glass aquarium" or "Oceanic" where are the identifier markings located...? I always like a bargin however I'd like to make sure it is a deal and just not some cr@p.....from some fly by night tank manufacturer.
Ensuring manufacturer authenticity
- Thread starter Mr Pleco
- Start date
Not familiar with these tank makers but my suggestion would be to contact the maker (through the phone or website) and ask them.
Looks like someone bought into the "brand name" gimmik hook, line, and sinker.
If you can't tell the difference, why does it matter. Glass is glass. The manufacturers do nothing but cut it and glue it together. (Some buy it already cut.) Just because it is a name brand that was given some marketing hype, does not make it better or stronger. Again, if you don't know the difference, why pay for it.
Tempered bottom? More marketing hype... I don't see any advantage other than saving on shipping costs and the manufacturer using thinner glass. The dissadvantages are you can't drill it and failure in tempered glass is total and instantanious. Not a good thing for fish tanks. It is better to have a leak from a crack than an entire panel blowing out.
If you can't tell the difference, why does it matter. Glass is glass. The manufacturers do nothing but cut it and glue it together. (Some buy it already cut.) Just because it is a name brand that was given some marketing hype, does not make it better or stronger. Again, if you don't know the difference, why pay for it.
Tempered bottom? More marketing hype... I don't see any advantage other than saving on shipping costs and the manufacturer using thinner glass. The dissadvantages are you can't drill it and failure in tempered glass is total and instantanious. Not a good thing for fish tanks. It is better to have a leak from a crack than an entire panel blowing out.
CHOMPERS;728483; said:Looks like someone bought into the "brand name" gimmik hook, line, and sinker.
To each his own, I've had good luck with the quality on the name brands when I've bought the unknowns I've come home to leaks and blown out seams. So when a retailer posts they have a name brand in order to invoke a level of confidence in your purchase , when in fact they are passing off third rate materials, in my book one word comes to mind fraud.
Chompers I appreciate your positive comments in response to my posted question.......
Not sure about Oceanic but all of my AGAs have a sticker on the bottom (its actually under the center brace and faces upwards so that you wont be able to see it if there is gravel in the tank). This sticker will say "All Glass Aquarium" on it and then something along the lines of "Tempered Glass Bottom, Do Not Drill".
On the other hand, every new tank I purchased came packed in carton (not really a box but a packaging that protectes edges mostly) with manufacturer's logo on it. And if I am buying a tank BRAND NEW and from a STORE, meaning that I am paying a marked-up retail price, I expect for it to look brand new -- be packed and clean.
I also have to say however that personally I too don't think that a brand name of a tank makes such a big deal. Of course if it falls apart within a first year, it is probably covered by some sort of a warranty. Its just that I am somewhat sceptical as to how efficient AGA will be in compensating a consumer for the damages incurred as a result of their product's failure. But thats just an opinion...
On the other hand, every new tank I purchased came packed in carton (not really a box but a packaging that protectes edges mostly) with manufacturer's logo on it. And if I am buying a tank BRAND NEW and from a STORE, meaning that I am paying a marked-up retail price, I expect for it to look brand new -- be packed and clean.
I also have to say however that personally I too don't think that a brand name of a tank makes such a big deal. Of course if it falls apart within a first year, it is probably covered by some sort of a warranty. Its just that I am somewhat sceptical as to how efficient AGA will be in compensating a consumer for the damages incurred as a result of their product's failure. But thats just an opinion...
If it's oceanic you should be able to tell. They have the best quality out of the common manufacturs when you look at them.
Stab, thanks for the info that's what made me suspicious was the lack of a factory-packaged look and for a 100+ gallon tank the glass looked thinner than my current 55 ...They just had an All- Glass sign scotch taped in the tanks and now days with color copiers and photos shop who knows,...I’m going back this weekend to see if those identifiers you mentioned are there.
I agree with your statement regarding the warrenty and that's where the LFS comes into play, most reputable stores will back their purchases, but if they are the type of store to mislead from the onset of the deal..well you know the story there.....your SOL
I agree with your statement regarding the warrenty and that's where the LFS comes into play, most reputable stores will back their purchases, but if they are the type of store to mislead from the onset of the deal..well you know the story there.....your SOL