400 Gallon Tank Crack

So everyone knows I know then guys at Planet Aquariums. They have been building tanks for longer then most of you have been in the hobby. They are also the same people that build your Oceanic Aquariums 20 years ago. I think it is just terrible how you can come on a forum like this and slander a company because you did not get your way. You give only the facts that make you look like a hero and them other person look like the DEVIL.

Also here is a picture of what the warranty says on every tank that leaves Planet Aquariums. You can walk in to any store that has a Planet Aquarium and read this.

The tank is OUT OF WARRANTY.


My major gripe with this is that was never discussed with me by my LFS or Planet. It wasnt on my tank when I loaded it in the truck and who explains a warranty at that part of the sales process? That should be discussed BEFORE and during the purchase and it never was. I just assumed there was a 1 year warranty I was honestly surprised when I heard there was a 7 year warranty.

Aside from that I spoke with Jerry tonight from Planet Aquariums and we are trying to work something out so we can put this to rest and everyone could go on their way. I am very excited to hear from him tomorrow.
 
With the lip around the tank it would have been hard to see if there was a gap thus indicating a twist in the stand. A twist will definetly cause it to stress crack. The tank being made of 1/2 inch glass wouldn't allow for much error. I'm really surprised they'd build it outa 1/2. Really really surprised seeing how it's 96x30x30. That's just stupid in my opinion. I'd be scared to stand in front of it. I know if I were you I'd grab a refund if they'd give it and get a quality tank. Good luck.
 
Any chance we could get a picture of the cracked tank on the stand. It would sure put the debate to bed. So far only the smart guy from Oklahoma has seen it. The rude one. But the owner has not clarified if that's his stand he posted pictures of. I guess this will be the whole Obama birth certificate thing all over.
 
So everyone knows I know then guys at Planet Aquariums. They have been building tanks for longer then most of you have been in the hobby. They are also the same people that build your Oceanic Aquariums 20 years ago. I think it is just terrible how you can come on a forum like this and slander a company because you did not get your way. You give only the facts that make you look like a hero and them other person look like the DEVIL.

Also here is a picture of what the warranty says on every tank that leaves Planet Aquariums. You can walk in to any store that has a Planet Aquarium and read this.

The tank is OUT OF WARRANTY.


Who cares, what does that matter that you know them? If the tank was level and on a stand like was showed the warranty should be a lot longer than 90 days, that's a joke!
 
Sorry to hear about what you are going through. Everyone in this hobby knows that manufacturers have limited warranty when their tanks are not used in conjuction with their stands. I am surprised that you were not aware of this.
Planet Aquariums are regarded here in Dallas as one of the best in the business but I'm also surprised that the tank was build with 1/2 glass.

I know the guy that started the company, he used to be one of the tank builders for Custom Tanks for Oceanic. He actually came to my house to fix my custom 400 gallon Oceanic tank that was build about 15 years ago, to our surprise he actually build it then.
He has work hard to get where he is at and have best wishes for him and his company. At the same time I hope that the outcome of this ordeal ends in your favor as if it was me I would be disappointed.

RickyB
 
I guess so!... 12 yrs, 7 posts...all 7 about Planet Aquariums

I'd be surprised if that's a coincidence. It's not like that scanned warranty document is even posted on their site. This reminds me of a person in another thread here regarding some LED lights. Npt the same person but similar tactics. Regardless, hopefully his presence can benifit the OP.

Regardless of whether the warranty has expired or not, 1/2" glass is way too thin in my opinion for a quality tank that size. While it may work, it's not what I would consider safe and certainly didn't hold up in this case and that kind of an issue reflects very poorly on an tank mfg.. Hopefully the Mfg makes this right and can benifit from good service and support in the face of adversity..
 
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My wife is a reporter for a major news paper here in MD.

They still make newspapers!
:rolleyes:
Regardless of whether the warranty has expired or not, 1/2" glass is way too thin in my opinion for a quality tank that size. While it may work, it's not what I would consider safe and certainly didn't hold up in this case and that kind of an issue reflects very poorly on an tank mfg.. Hopefully the Mfg makes this right and can benifit from good service and support in the face of adversity..

+1... A tank taller than 24" should have thicker glass
 
I was trying to find some type of structural data for tanks and glass thickness about six months ago and couldn't find any concrete data. What I did learn is that all 1/2" glass isn't the same. There is different grades of glass that have different strengths. And its more about the structural integrity of the glass used, in relation to the size of the tank.

I know mainland is building a 300 gallon tank with 12mm (.47 inch glass), I have always wondered if they use a stronger rated glass than on their 150gal.
 
My 7ft, 30" tall Marineland 265 uses 12 mm glass on all sides and 19 mm glass on the bottom. Appears sufficient - so far, at least.
 
Why would I post pictures if that wasnt my stand? I don't know if I can take you serious

Because then it would sure end the debate and it would put some credit behind my story. I'd post the pictures of my tank on the stand. I'd have no problem doing that. I stand behind my work. Obviously you and the Oklahoma peanut galley don't see a need to prove to us that the tank in question is on the elabrorate stand you built. If I had posted that my tank sprung a leak and allowed everyone to bash the manufacture I would have offered all the proof upfront and I would be on the stores butt just as much. But the one thing you won't do is put the truth in the pudding. I'm begining not to take your claim as serious. Remember I didn't put this story out there you did. By offering only part of the story people are going to question. Did rocks fall on it? What's the stand like? Is his floor level? Did it get dropped on the stand? How long had the LFS had the tank? Did they drop it at any point? All kinds of variables. Some you can answer others you can't. It sucks that you tank got a leak. Believe me I get it. Had I been close I'd have come to help gather livestock. But in my years here on Earth, I've learned to try to treat folks the way I would want to be. Again I try. But before publicly trashing a company or individuals to the worldwide web I'd make sure I had all the facts out there and would prepare for questions of my claim. Also, why did the guy from Oklahoma act like such a jerk. No reason for it. He doesn't know me nor do I know him. Difference is I'd still help if he had a tank issue. This forum is supposed to be for helping each other in the hobby not try to bully folks because they don't agree or the question a claim. What works for one person might not work for another. Every tank is its own work of art and eco system. But with the little evidence we have seen there are too many questions left unanswered.
As for the warranty, I feel that it should be part of the discussion before the tank is loaded. Why wouldn't you ask? When you buy a car or dishwasher don't you ask them? Sorry the fish store didn't provide the information. But as a consumer you should know to ask. Always be an educated consumer. No matter what you buy. As for half inch glass my tank is 72x24x29 and is made of half inch glass. I don't worry cause I know that there are different types of glass and understand how the tank handles pressure and weight. Again sorry you are going threw this period. But again, several unanswered questions. So can we see pictures of the tank on the stand? I'd like to take your claim serious. It might help you from this happening again. And yes there are defects sometimes in glass.
 
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Because then it would sure end the debate and it would put some credit behind my story.

I think you are the only one debating that.

I do agree that the OP should have been clear on the warranty before he purchased the tank.
But he knows what the warranty is now and IMO they are not honoring it.

Oh, and I don't mind being part of the peanut gallery.

Thanks for pointing that out.
lol
 
I think its kind of ironic that planet aquarium as well as DSA are both spin offs of oceanic. The reason I find this ironic is the fact that there is a similar thread about DSA being extremely difficult about honoring warranty work as well as very poor customer service. Is this from a culture of arrogance that existed at oceanic?

The thing is, both, DSA and PA generally build awesome tanks, but seem to be very difficult to obtain warranty service from. Both Manufacturers have almost identical warranties in regards to extending to 7 years when using their brand of stands. I thought when I first started to read this thread and the OP didnt want to mention the manufacturer it was going to be DSA but when it was mentioned it was PA things started to click. Im not trying to trash either manufacturer I think they both make great tanks but the similarities between these two incidents are there to see.
this is the DSA saga: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2484327&highlight=jerseypete

I think that hopefully this issue can be resolved with good communication with the op's LFS as well as PA. Calm persistence is probably your best ally.
 
Ya. Chesapeake they all look terrible. Again, someone doesn't want to find the truth so they go straight to bashinG. What the heck? San Angelo, I may be the only one debating it. But I just would like to see the cracked tank on that stand. He claimed it wasn't the stand and that he followed the design of someone else. Whole thing is crazy. But thanks for not trashing someone you don't know.
 
I don't see him claiming it's not the stand anywhere. He said he built this stand and two others previous to this using a design from popular build thread here on RC. I see a serial of build pics and a tank sitting on the finished product. You're basically calling him a liar, over and over again, since you just can't seem to let it go. If he posts a pic of the Busted tank on that stand, you'll acuse him of using the last 3 days to build a stand to place the tank on as part of this elaborate ruse. He'll them have to produce more pictures and maybe witnesses that saw the whole thing before it cracked.. But wait, those witnesses might be lying too, or certainly not qualified to offer engineering opinions.
All this of course because a man who can afford a custom 400 gallon Reef, must surely have tons of free time and energy to do all this for the benefit of a bunch of complete strangers. Bravo! You caught him!
 
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