Glasscages.com aquarium question

[screaminleeman]

I purchased three tanks from Glasscages.com in mid January 2010. I got two 135 gallon long tanks and one 90 gallon high tank.

The 90 gallon high had a middle divider which caused the tank not to be able to take a Aquaclear 110. I set up the tank with an AC 70 and sand subtrate which contained benneficial bacteria. The tank has been running with fish for over three weeks.

Friday night I installed a second AC 70 filter on the opposite side of the back of the tank. All seemed great.

I woke up Sunday morning, and the tank was beautiful and all inhabitants looked healthy and happy. All fish in the tank were newly acquired juvinile fish from TFD. (6 Tiger Datnoids 1 - 1.5", 3 marble line gars 4", 1 Rocket Gar 4", and 2 Tilapia Polini 1.5"). I was on my computer in my bedroom when I heard a loud "bang" out in the clubroom. I did not react immediatly, but when I eventually went to investigate (maybe as much as an hour) I found my clubroom floor soaked, the brand new 90G High tank anound half way empty and a massive crack in the back of the tank all the way from top to bottom that the water was squirting out of. The crack was right along the area where the second of the two AC 70 water filters was installed Friday night.

I am understandably upset and not sure what to do next. I have moved the two AC 70's and subtrate from the broken 90G high to one side of one of the 135 gallon tanks to accellerate it nitrogen cycle. The inhaitants have been moved to other tanks and hopefully not too much aggression until the 135 is ready to take on some of the bioload.

I checked the website to see the "warrenty policy". It is clear that they only have the seams guaranteed for 90 days and that breakage is not covered. The message is clear that they are not responsible for stress breakage.

These were tank numbers 15, 16 & 17 for me. I have NEVER experienced a "STRESS BREAKAGE" described on their website. I have a few questions for fellow MFK'rs.

1. Is anyone familiar with/ experienced this "stress breakage"?

2. The tank was NOT placed on a 3/4" styrofome base cover as suggested, I did have a 1/2" solid oak board underneath the tank covering the stand though! I don't have the styrafome underneath any of my other tanks and have never experienced this issue before. Is this really the cause?

3. I have not contacted GLASSCAGES.COM on the issue due to the clear policy not "covering" this sort of damage. Should I make the effort first and at least give them a chance?

4. Has anyone else setup tanks from GLASSCAGES.COM? Did you have any issues with this?

I will wait until at least tomorrow where I can approach the issue with less anger and more diplomacy. Am I wrong to feel that I have recieved faulty merchandise from them?

 

[12 Volt Man]

no, not having foam under your tank did not cause your tank to break.

once the foam compacts down it serves little purpose. it does not "level" the tank contrary to popular misinformation.

in fact, other manufacturers like Aqueon (at least for their tanks which have a floating bottom) do NOT recommend using it as it can lead to an 'uneven edge' and cause the tank to crack -according to them.

that kind of a crack sounds like the kind of thing that could have resulted from damage during shipping, where microfractures can occur but not be visible. eventually they give way.

or, it could be simply a manufacturer's defect in the panel of glass. so it would have had nothing to do with glasscages themselves, but a bad batch of glass.

its tough to say.

problem is, we can guess as to what happened, but we can never know the true reason. its just guesses.

sorry about your tank.

 

[12 Volt Man]

how level was your tank?

'stress breakage' usually refers to a twisting force placed on the glass that results from the one side/corner on the front being higher or lower than an opposite corner in the back.

generally, if your tank is off level a bit length wise it is not an issue.

its when the front left corner is lower than the back right corner for example, that places a 'torque' or twisting force on a tank the glass cannot take.

 

[Bderick67]

Glasscages do not have a floating bottom. The bottom plate glass would sit directly on the stand.

Were you stands homemade. As 12v described the stress crack most likely came from the tank being twisted.

 

[zebvance]

i bought a 240 gallon tank used made buy glass cages that had a middle brace broken and i just repaired it. I'm waiting to the silicone to cure all the way before i try for a test fill. This thread is making me super nervous now about my tank though.

 

[dawnmarie]

I am considering purchasing a glass aquarium to replace my acrylic. I have reserched, to the best of my abilities, the warrantee policies of the major manufacturers and a few local ones.While I feel for your situation I can't imagine how any one could hold Glasscages or any other manufacturer liable. Their warranty is as clearly stated as any other manufacturer. How could they possibly know what has happened to that tank once it leaves the factory.They could not know if it was installed correctly or not.

Not that you neccessarily did anything wrong but how do they know ?

Unfortunately if indeed it was a defect in the glass you are probably out of luck.I would certainly give them a chance to resolve this especially considering the size of your purchase. Convey your experience in this hobby without being confrontational and I'll bet with the right approach you might be pleasantly surprised. I for one am wanting to hear the followup to this.

Subscribed

 

[Dan F]

I am curious how this works out for you. I am currently shopping for a new tank and have been considering Glasscages. I don't like the thought of a tank splitting on me like that...

 

[12 Volt Man]

whatever you do, if you contact them I would not tell them that you didn't use foam if their warranty states that you must

 

[jsodwi]

I would contact them and let them know what happened. Make sure if they ask tell them you placed the foam under it. They are a good company and I loved the 300g I owned from them. they might replace it. You won't know until you try.

 

[screaminleeman]

how level was your tank?

'stress breakage' usually refers to a twisting force placed on the glass that results from the one side/corner on the front being higher or lower than an opposite corner in the back.

generally, if your tank is off level a bit length wise it is not an issue.

its when the front left corner is lower than the back right corner for example, that places a 'torque' or twisting force on a tank the glass cannot take.

I actually went super duper cheap and am not using a tank stand. I purchased two heavy duty storage racks from Lowes to set these three tanks up on. The smaller of the two racks was a five shelf (each 36" x 18") the other was a three shelf (72" x 24").

I set up both racks in two pieces. Two shelves of the 36 x 18 are set up in my bathroom and are supporting a 20 gallon long on each shelf. The other three shelf smaller rack was the one that the 90 high was placed on (top shelf) and another 20 G long below. These heavy duty racks all come with particle board shelving. I placed a 1/2" thick solid oak board 36" x 21" on top of the particle board to make for a more solid base. The tank was filled close to the top, and I could not see any visible difference in the distance of the water level from the rim at any point around the top of the tank.

On a side note, the "flood" completely ruined the lower particle board shelf and the 20 G long was starting to fall through the soggy soaked particle board shelf. It was sitting at an incredible angle slopeing toward the back of the tank. The angle was so great that the topfin 30 HOB filter could not even pump water out! I quickly drained that tank to move to the unused top shelf of larger rack that is housing the two 135's. I must be getting seriously weak in my old age, I though that I was going to kill myself getting that thing up onto the top shelf 5 feet in the air. I got it though and it is now resting on a layer of soft shipping foam sheets. I also now have one on the two 135's under the 3/4" styrafoam that was used to secure the tanks into my truck during pickup. This is the 135 that I am trying to speed cycle before I lose my new fish to aggression from fish in my various tanks that I was forced to migrate the juvinile's to!

I will give them a call tomorrow. This is the first (and only) tank over 25" deep that I have ever owned. I have officially quit tall tank ownership!