Brand new 75 Planet aquarium missing silicone on overflow

[Oscarmk]

I am really let down by planet aquariums, I had my LFS order me 3 of them, the first one had white seams instead of black ok... the second one had a pretty bad seam job where they were all "folded" (see my previous thread: http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=126159), finally the third one after a really close inspection it seemed fine, seems I failed to inspect the seams inside the overflow box, it was delivered to my house 2 weeks ago and I have been busy, I was getting ready to do the plumbing this weekend. I cannot even leak test it because it is the overflow box and I definitely do not want to start the plumbing I think I will try to return it, I am pretty sure this is a big problem, because a picture says a thousand words here it is:

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The missing silicone is on what puts together the back glass panel with the bottom panel.

I also found a piece of silicone inside the box, roughly matching the silicone missing in the red box. I definitely do not want to try and seal it myself I have zero experience, is this a definite problem that requires me to return the aquarium to the LFS (DNA), or perhaps call planet aquarium for warranty?.

I bought a planet aquarium specifically because of the higher quality, and right now I am extremely disappointed, I hope no one else has an experience like mine. I guess time to try DSA or any other suggestions?, unfortunately I also purchased a Coastal Stand for the 75, and I believe it doesn't fit the DSA 80...

 

[Eckolancer]

Can you take a pic further away showing exactly where it was? If it is in an area above the water level it might not be an issue. But it is pretty bad on their part for 3 issues.


Sent from pay phone in the airport.

 

[blueseatex]

Your looking at the bottom seem... That's is bad and will likely leak..

 

[Oscarmk]

@blueseatex wrote:

Yes, it is the bottom seam... that is what I though. I guess it is return time, such a waste of time and money, between the 3 bad ones it has now been 2 months since I purchased the aquarium, and I paid for delivery on this one, I know DNA also has a restocking fee.... so overall big waste of time and money.

 

[DetroitRodeo]

Make sure to inspect this next one at DNA really well before you accept it


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[jccaclimber]

You might try to negotiate on the restocking fee given the circumstances. It is one thing to have a customer change their mind, and quite another to sell them a defective item.

All that said, it looks like there may be an extra layer of glass around the edge? If so, that missing portion (while bothersome) may not connect to the outside, and may not be of any structural consequence to the tank. A picture from a bit farther back would help.

 

[Oscarmk]

@DetroitRodeo wrote:

I will definitely do that, to be honest I am getting a little suspicious about the whole thing, I have no proof of course and I am no position to make any accusations, but I inspected this aquarium 2 different days really carefully at DNA, it is entirely possible that I missed that corner on the overflow. The piece of silicone definitely looks cut off, I am no saying it was cut off intentionally but it does look cut off.

The day it was delivered it was put against the wall as per my instructions, and I wasn't able to look all the way down inside the overflow box from the front, I still gave it a quick inspection after delivery and it looked fine, but then again I did not look at the overflow box.

Additionally when I was inspecting the third aquarium, I was basically told in a nice way that if I didn't accept this third one, it was just too much for them to have to order a 4th one and I would just get my money back, which is somewhat understandable, I still took my time and inspected it really well. I suspect I will just have to get my money back and go to another LFS to buy another 75.

@jccaclimber wrote:

I agree with you, I find this to be an extraordinary circumstance, not to mention I waited 2 months for the aquarium, it is a stock 75 planet not a custom aquarium.

From what I can tell that missing portion does connect to the outside (I hope I am wrong), there is additional glass on the other 3 walls of the overflow, I took 2 more pictures one from the inside and one from the outside:

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[jccaclimber]

I wouldn't assume malice. It doesn't pay to tick off customers, and they already know you'll be looking at it in detail. Odd looking, but I'm still not convinced it goes through. "Cut off" wouldn't get between the seams.

From your perspective I see "I got a new tank, there might be something wrong with it, what gives?"

From the manufacturer's perspective I see "There was probably a big blob there, so once it was mostly cured someone cut it off to prevent it getting pulled on later. The seam between the glass plates was solid, so it won't cause a leak. You could always clean off the inside and put some clear tape (or sealed bulkheads) in there to check how water tight it is. Given that I don't see bubbles in the silicone around it, I'd bet on a solid seam.

I can also see DNA's position, particularly if you inspected it on arrival and signed for it. For whatever reason you've run in to a string of bad luck, or you have higher standards, or you're more observant, or something. At some point it's easier to have everyone cut their losses than continue the pattern, even if it seems like a string of coincidences. When I worked at a bicycle wheel manufacturer we had a customer that they were going to simply refund if he broke another product. He had managed to cause the same very uncommon failure in two or three sets of wheels. He wanted to use our product, and we wanted to help, but something about his use was simply incompatible with our product.

I actually just finished going through a similar thing with the return pump on my 300 (fresh). I'm now on controller #4 and pump block #2 in under 2 years. Quite frankly I was pleasantly surprised when they sent a new one rather than offering me a refund.

 

[Oscarmk]

@jccaclimber wrote:

I think you are right malice doesn't really make sense. What do you mean by you are not convinced it goes through?, through what exactly?. There appears to be no silicone on that part, how could the seam be solid?, as I understand there is additional silicone between the black bottom frame and the glass but from what I have read online, people suggest doing a complete reseal with silicone when the silicone is just peeling off, in this case there appears to be no silicone left in that area.

I happened to be close to a another LFS today while doing some shopping with my Wife, I went in with the photos and asked 2 employees their opinion, they both though it looked really odd/bad, and that I should definitely be concerned and ask the LFS that sold me the tank. I really wish I could just use the one I have since it is already here and everything, but I think it will leak at some point...

 

[jccaclimber]

Silicone peeling off is an indication that the bond is failing, and the entire structure may be on its way out. The one peeling spot isn't so much a direct problem as an indication of a larger issue. In this case the missing spot doesn't imply the rest of it is about to let loose.

What I meant about not going through is that *if* a section was pulled/cut/whatever *after* the tank was made there would still be a seal of silicone between the glass panels because you cannot just pull or cut the silicone out from between the panels. Unfortunately this is a bit hard to tell without a water test because the trim covers the area.

 

[DFW]

They make good money on restocking fees, and charge them even if they sell you the wrong thing!

 

[blueseatex]

I'm shocked there being defended.. That's a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Oscarmk]

@DFW wrote:

I guess I will have to fight them on that... looks like they are very persistent/unfair about those restocking fees.

@blueseatex wrote:

I suspect the same thing... even if it holds water now I am fearing a failure later on.

@jccaclimber wrote:

That makes sense, however my thinking is that the interior seal is there to protect the seal of silicone between the plates, I am guessing this will cause a failure in a couple of months.

 

[jccaclimber]

Lets be clear, I'm not saying to keep the tank, or get rid of it for that matter. I'm just trying to offer some perspective. There's usually little sense trying to talk people in to something they don't want, but there is plenty of value in helping them understand what they really want, and making sure they have all possible information to make that decision. This is certainly making me concerned about the build quality of new tanks.

In this case it sounds like you aren't comfortable with the tank, and trying to help you be comfortable with it isn't working. A couple other questions, just to try to prompt some additional thought:

If you filled this tank and it never leaked for 30 years, would you still be waking up in the middle of the night every time you hear water running?
If the tank did leak, but for a completely different reason, would you be able to understand and really believe this had nothing to do with it?

Answering those two would tell me what to do.

 

[Oscarmk]

@jccaclimber wrote:

I would definitely not be waking up in the middle of the night, as long as the leak was somewhere else and not there I would know this had nothing to do with it. I would still be afraid of it failing though.

 

[Wes]

That really doesn't look like a glass seam to me, more of the seam holding the box in place. If that is indeed the case, I personally wouldn't have any issue using it. You also have to realize planet is a value aquarium, nothing necessarily wrong with it but don't expect the high quality of someone like Reef Savvy or AGE.

 

[Guest]

Is the overflow box made of glass with abs or plastic on the outside?


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[Oscarmk]

@kuyatwo wrote:

The overflow box is plastic on the outside and glass in the inside, however as far as I can tell it only has 3 walls like that, where the silicone is missing appears to be the original seam between the bottom and back panels, before the overflow box was placed.


@Wes wrote:

I hope I am wrong but to me that seam looks like the original seam between the bottom and back panel before the 3 wall overflox box was put in. I realize planet is a value aquarium, I mainly bought it because I heard such great things when compared to Perfecto aquariums and similar, and when I compared them at the store the planet definitely looked better to me. Since the risk of flooding is paying a hefty deductible to the insurance company, and the cost of the tank is really a fraction of the total price, I would be interested in those savvy and AGE aquariums how much of a price difference are we talking about here?, and how does one go about ordering one?, is there a LFS that would be able to order me one?, or do they sell directly to consumers?

To be honest I like the overall quality of the planet, good size glass panels looks strong, the standard 75 is side euro braced and trimmed, maybe I am just having really bad luck.

 

[Wes]

Maybe see if you can contact manufacturer and see what they say about it? I agree it could be a glass seam, just from the pics didn't look like it. Hard to tell not being in person. Last year when I priced a new tank, a 225 was $1800 from planet, $2500 from AGE and $4000 from reef savvy. I was considering them in my decision for the same reason, I have heard good things, but wanted to shop around. I haven't pulled the trigger on one though as I might be moving. I will most likely go with AGE and most LFS should be able to order it for you.

 

[Oscarmk]

@Wes wrote:

I will call DNA tomorrow, I called on Friday but the manager was already out. I will also call the manufacturer after talking to them. Are there any particular photos that could help you identify if it is a glass seam or not?. From what I can see I don't see how it could not be a glass seam both from looking at it and from a tank build perspective. Wouldn't the tank first get done and then simply drilled in the middle and 3 walls added to it?, or is there sometimes a 4th wall added to it?, There is definitely a single layer of glass at the back of the overflow box which corresponds to the aquarium back panel, the bottom panel of the overflox is also the bottom panel of the aquarium, this I know for sure since I can see the holes going through a single layer of glass.

The % price difference between the planet and the AGE doesn't appear to be that much, reef savvy on the other hand... I will ask about the AGE aquarium, where is that one made?.