imcosmokramer
New member
As some of you know, I had Aquarium Adventure install my system a few months back. I just wanted to come here and share my experience so that others may learn from it. I have a 75G. Mind you that I work from home, and was with the installer watching every step of the setup.
Keep in mind, that at the time, I was very much new to the hobby, and had no way of knowing whether things were being done correctly, or even in the correct order.
The first day of the install, the service coordinator showed up and began the install. Once the tank, overflow kit, sump, return pump, and chiller were set up. He began to fill the tank with water. Once the tank was filled and the water started going to the sump, he found out that the sump (brand new adhi30 had a leak; adhi sent me a new one no questions asked). Took us about 20 minutes to get all water out of the sump/stand, at which time, he had to disconnect the sump and return pump in order to remove the sump. This of course could have been avoided with a simple test of the sump prior to installation. Naturally that is something I know now, but would expect an expert to do.
A few weeks later (once the new sump arrived) the service coordinator returned to re-do the install. Once again, he did not test the sump and connected it (I actually tested it myself, without his knowledge, so I didn't make a point of mentioning it). The second time, everything was functioning as it should.
I began to cycle the tank with a limited photoperiod (using only T5s). Once the tank was cycled, I began to use both MH and T5's. As soon at the water temp went up to the limit I set, the chiller went on. The chiller remained on for hours with little effect on the tank. This is a 1/4 horsepower chiller for a 75gl. After this happened for the second day in a row, I took out the chiller installation instructions and reviewed them. Under REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION it stated that at least 18" are required both for the front/back of the chiller, and at least 6" clearance on each sides. The Aquarium Adventure service coordinator installed it with about 2" clearance on the back, and 2" on each side (wedged between the stand and the corner of the room). So basically, all the hot air had nowhere to go, and was not drawn away from the chiller. Even though this is explicitly stated on the first page on the installation instructions. Again, if I had the knowledge, I would have pointed it out, but I expected the installer to know this. I ended up buying more tubing and reinstalling the chiller at a location that will allow for adequate ventilation. Since then, rather than being on for about 6-7 hours a day, it goes on once a day for about an hour.
I also had the installer set up my RO/DI unit and had it connected to a Brute container on the second floor. He installed the RO/DI unit and drilled through the Brute container to install an auto shut-off valve which he brought. Once he turned the water on, and saw that it is going into the tank, he did not test to see that the auto shut-off valve works. i.e. pulling the float up to see that the water does not continue to flow into the container.
I have been diligent at never letting the water get that high, mostly because I just don't need that much water on a regular basis. A few weeks ago, I return home to see water pouring down from the recessed lighting in my living room. I ran upstairs and, of course, the auto shut off valve did not work, and I had a flood on the second floor, as well as the first. So.... after hours of a shop-vac/paper towel/buckets fiasco, I was able to dry everything off. At this point, water damage is evident both upstairs and downstairs.
I contacted Aquarium Adventure the next day, and was told that the person I need to speak with was not there. I called again the next day, and was told that he is still not there, but the service coordinator was there. I spoke with him and he said that he would have Dan call me back that day. I did not receive a call that day, but 4 days later, I did get a call. I was busy at the time, so Dan left a message. I called him back within 5 minutes, at which point he was unavailable. I left a message for him. Dan did not return my call for over a week, at which point I called again and was told by the person who answered the phone, that Dan will call me back that day. A week later, I still have not heard from him. I called today and spoke to Tom. Tom was not willing to even talk about it, stating that it's not their fault. He said that the part must be faulty and that it's not their responsibility to test to see if it works. He did not offer to come out and look, or check out the install. At this point, a complaint has been filed with the BBB and this will begin to be a legal matter.
I will not make any judgments at this point, and only want to share the details. I would say that I am extremely dissatisfied with the install, and am appalled at the lack of customer service and follow up. I would simply say that unless you are willing to test all parts yourself, as well as have the knowledge to verify all aspects of the build/install, think twice before spending (quite a bit) your money on paying for an installation from Aquarium Adventure. I suppose next time I take my car in to my dealer, I better run those new breaks through a series of tests to make sure they work, before I have the dealer install them.
Aquarium Adventure.....an Adventure indeed.
Keep in mind, that at the time, I was very much new to the hobby, and had no way of knowing whether things were being done correctly, or even in the correct order.
The first day of the install, the service coordinator showed up and began the install. Once the tank, overflow kit, sump, return pump, and chiller were set up. He began to fill the tank with water. Once the tank was filled and the water started going to the sump, he found out that the sump (brand new adhi30 had a leak; adhi sent me a new one no questions asked). Took us about 20 minutes to get all water out of the sump/stand, at which time, he had to disconnect the sump and return pump in order to remove the sump. This of course could have been avoided with a simple test of the sump prior to installation. Naturally that is something I know now, but would expect an expert to do.
A few weeks later (once the new sump arrived) the service coordinator returned to re-do the install. Once again, he did not test the sump and connected it (I actually tested it myself, without his knowledge, so I didn't make a point of mentioning it). The second time, everything was functioning as it should.
I began to cycle the tank with a limited photoperiod (using only T5s). Once the tank was cycled, I began to use both MH and T5's. As soon at the water temp went up to the limit I set, the chiller went on. The chiller remained on for hours with little effect on the tank. This is a 1/4 horsepower chiller for a 75gl. After this happened for the second day in a row, I took out the chiller installation instructions and reviewed them. Under REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION it stated that at least 18" are required both for the front/back of the chiller, and at least 6" clearance on each sides. The Aquarium Adventure service coordinator installed it with about 2" clearance on the back, and 2" on each side (wedged between the stand and the corner of the room). So basically, all the hot air had nowhere to go, and was not drawn away from the chiller. Even though this is explicitly stated on the first page on the installation instructions. Again, if I had the knowledge, I would have pointed it out, but I expected the installer to know this. I ended up buying more tubing and reinstalling the chiller at a location that will allow for adequate ventilation. Since then, rather than being on for about 6-7 hours a day, it goes on once a day for about an hour.
I also had the installer set up my RO/DI unit and had it connected to a Brute container on the second floor. He installed the RO/DI unit and drilled through the Brute container to install an auto shut-off valve which he brought. Once he turned the water on, and saw that it is going into the tank, he did not test to see that the auto shut-off valve works. i.e. pulling the float up to see that the water does not continue to flow into the container.
I have been diligent at never letting the water get that high, mostly because I just don't need that much water on a regular basis. A few weeks ago, I return home to see water pouring down from the recessed lighting in my living room. I ran upstairs and, of course, the auto shut off valve did not work, and I had a flood on the second floor, as well as the first. So.... after hours of a shop-vac/paper towel/buckets fiasco, I was able to dry everything off. At this point, water damage is evident both upstairs and downstairs.
I contacted Aquarium Adventure the next day, and was told that the person I need to speak with was not there. I called again the next day, and was told that he is still not there, but the service coordinator was there. I spoke with him and he said that he would have Dan call me back that day. I did not receive a call that day, but 4 days later, I did get a call. I was busy at the time, so Dan left a message. I called him back within 5 minutes, at which point he was unavailable. I left a message for him. Dan did not return my call for over a week, at which point I called again and was told by the person who answered the phone, that Dan will call me back that day. A week later, I still have not heard from him. I called today and spoke to Tom. Tom was not willing to even talk about it, stating that it's not their fault. He said that the part must be faulty and that it's not their responsibility to test to see if it works. He did not offer to come out and look, or check out the install. At this point, a complaint has been filed with the BBB and this will begin to be a legal matter.
I will not make any judgments at this point, and only want to share the details. I would say that I am extremely dissatisfied with the install, and am appalled at the lack of customer service and follow up. I would simply say that unless you are willing to test all parts yourself, as well as have the knowledge to verify all aspects of the build/install, think twice before spending (quite a bit) your money on paying for an installation from Aquarium Adventure. I suppose next time I take my car in to my dealer, I better run those new breaks through a series of tests to make sure they work, before I have the dealer install them.
Aquarium Adventure.....an Adventure indeed.
