jt48
Member
Tank with crate was 1000 pounds
Building my Dream: It's a Miracles!
- Thread starter jt48
- Start date
Tank with crate was 1000 pounds
geaux xman
New member
Congratulations on the tank.... it looks great. My only regret with my Miracles tank is not going bigger. I went 3/4" starphire rimless as well.
My tank was transported from Canada to South Louisiana...
My tank was transported from Canada to South Louisiana...
jt48
Member
Prior to choosing Miracles for my new tank build, I did some research comparing quality, price, customer service, location (for shipping reasons) and reputation.
I could have bought cheaper with another company and risked the possibility of poor quality. I could have saved money on shipping with another company but in the end pay much more for product itself. This is true for most people I guess and i'm not saying anything remarkable. But, Miracles was the best choice for me and although I have read of complaints (such as a failed external overflow),I also read how they responded and resolved the issue.
And, I'm not here to speak badly about Miracles but I do feel it is important for others to know of my experience both good and bad and possibly learn from my experience.
I have several issues that I will document here. I hope in the end everything will work out and building my dream will not be a nightmare.
Issue #1-This really is'nt a problem with Miracles at all but a experience I had with paypal. Miracles does not accept credit or debit cards which I had not known. I used my paypal account and money was sent for the 50% deposit. Miracles actually received the funds. Then, Paypal proceeded take the money
back believing it was fraudulent due to the high amount and it being international. So I had to wait 5 days for Paypal to receive the money from my bank before it could be resent to Miracles.
Issue #2-It was always my understanding that acrylic tanks require a flat board and the white Styrofoam under neath but glass tanks with the bottom trim do not. I WAS WRONG. Miracles does not advertise this on their website. It was never mentioned in multiple phone contacts or emails. Most importantly it is not communicated in the Miracles warranty/Aquarium set-up sheet that arrives with the aquarium. In fact, Miracles recommends the RC DIY stand plans which do not include the top flat board and Stryofoam. When the tank was placed on the stand, a large portion of the front of the tank did not make contact with the stand. I contacted Miracles immediately and they said it was normal, that when filled the tank will settle onto the stand. I was not advised at this point for the need of board and stryofoam. It wasnt until Miracles arrived at my house that they advised me that I need 1/2 inch plywood and 5/8 "white" stryofoam.
The issue here is NOT that the tank is not perfectly square. For a tank this size, some twisting is normal.
Fortunately the tank is still empty but I still need to lift 800 pounds of glass while board and styro is put in place.
This pic shows the 1/8 inch space
Issue #3-The tank arrived with multiple, yes multiple scratches. At first, I thought maybe the movers caused the scratches although I could not imagine how as I was present the full time during the uncrating and move into the house. I did not witness them do anything that could have caused the scratches. Then I found scratches (the deepest ones) on the interior bottom pane. With this find I knew the movers did not cause them as this was never handled. The scratches are located on the interior and exterior bottom pane. No big deal, nonetheless unexpected. But there were three separate areas of scratches on the exterior front pane. Two areas were single scratches and one area includes multiple scratches. There were no scratches on side or rear panels.
One of many scratches on bottom pane:
Front pane scratches:
Issue #4-Trapped Gas Dots. Looking down (ceiling to floor) the front pane a handful are visible. One is of minor concern as it is very close to the front surface but one is a major concern as it is an open dot at the surface. Trapped gas dots are inherent in heavy glass. Trouble is I have one that is very visible:
Miracles was contacted regarding my concerns. At first, the front pane marks were believed to possibly be bumps and not scratches. A combination of razor blades, isopropyl alcohol, whitening toothpaste, Turtle Wax polishing compound, 0000 steel wool and drilling action confirmed they were in fact scratches. I was able to greatly reduce the visibility of the scratches but not completely. I actually caused many micro swirly "hairy" scratches in my attempts. Miracles came to the house when they had an install 60 miles from where I am located. They used a special felt wheel drill bit and polishing compound.
All the scratches on the front pane were 97.5% removed. I need to look for them and if the lighting and angle are correct, can still see remnants of the scratch. Working on the scratch more could cause distortion of the glass.
Nothing can be done about the trapped gas dot close to the surface. It is hardly visible at all.
However, the trapped gas dot that is at the surface is now worse than before. When Miracles attempted to resolve this issue, the heat from the drilling caused minor glass distortion on the exterior and interior. So, whereas before I just had the dot, I now have a dot and distortion. This is especially visible as I look into the tank from the top and out through the front pane. The best way I can describe it is it gives the same effects as a funny mirror or the edge of a fisheye camera lens. I AM HOPING that once the tank is filled with water, this view will not even be possible. The other problem that I am optimistic at resolving is that whereas before the trapped gas dot was clear, is now white and visible from across the room! (just the surface dot is white, not the distortion) I think maybe some of the polishing compound may be stuck inside? I have tried isopropyl alcohol but have not been able to remove it.
So where am I now in building my dream?
I need to:
A) get the board and stryo placed under the tank
B) hopefully remove the "white" out of the trapped gas dot at the surface
C) pray that the distortion will not be visible once tank is filled
I could have bought cheaper with another company and risked the possibility of poor quality. I could have saved money on shipping with another company but in the end pay much more for product itself. This is true for most people I guess and i'm not saying anything remarkable. But, Miracles was the best choice for me and although I have read of complaints (such as a failed external overflow),I also read how they responded and resolved the issue.
And, I'm not here to speak badly about Miracles but I do feel it is important for others to know of my experience both good and bad and possibly learn from my experience.
I have several issues that I will document here. I hope in the end everything will work out and building my dream will not be a nightmare.
Issue #1-This really is'nt a problem with Miracles at all but a experience I had with paypal. Miracles does not accept credit or debit cards which I had not known. I used my paypal account and money was sent for the 50% deposit. Miracles actually received the funds. Then, Paypal proceeded take the money
back believing it was fraudulent due to the high amount and it being international. So I had to wait 5 days for Paypal to receive the money from my bank before it could be resent to Miracles.
Issue #2-It was always my understanding that acrylic tanks require a flat board and the white Styrofoam under neath but glass tanks with the bottom trim do not. I WAS WRONG. Miracles does not advertise this on their website. It was never mentioned in multiple phone contacts or emails. Most importantly it is not communicated in the Miracles warranty/Aquarium set-up sheet that arrives with the aquarium. In fact, Miracles recommends the RC DIY stand plans which do not include the top flat board and Stryofoam. When the tank was placed on the stand, a large portion of the front of the tank did not make contact with the stand. I contacted Miracles immediately and they said it was normal, that when filled the tank will settle onto the stand. I was not advised at this point for the need of board and stryofoam. It wasnt until Miracles arrived at my house that they advised me that I need 1/2 inch plywood and 5/8 "white" stryofoam.
The issue here is NOT that the tank is not perfectly square. For a tank this size, some twisting is normal.
Fortunately the tank is still empty but I still need to lift 800 pounds of glass while board and styro is put in place.
This pic shows the 1/8 inch space
Issue #3-The tank arrived with multiple, yes multiple scratches. At first, I thought maybe the movers caused the scratches although I could not imagine how as I was present the full time during the uncrating and move into the house. I did not witness them do anything that could have caused the scratches. Then I found scratches (the deepest ones) on the interior bottom pane. With this find I knew the movers did not cause them as this was never handled. The scratches are located on the interior and exterior bottom pane. No big deal, nonetheless unexpected. But there were three separate areas of scratches on the exterior front pane. Two areas were single scratches and one area includes multiple scratches. There were no scratches on side or rear panels.
One of many scratches on bottom pane:
Front pane scratches:
Issue #4-Trapped Gas Dots. Looking down (ceiling to floor) the front pane a handful are visible. One is of minor concern as it is very close to the front surface but one is a major concern as it is an open dot at the surface. Trapped gas dots are inherent in heavy glass. Trouble is I have one that is very visible:
Miracles was contacted regarding my concerns. At first, the front pane marks were believed to possibly be bumps and not scratches. A combination of razor blades, isopropyl alcohol, whitening toothpaste, Turtle Wax polishing compound, 0000 steel wool and drilling action confirmed they were in fact scratches. I was able to greatly reduce the visibility of the scratches but not completely. I actually caused many micro swirly "hairy" scratches in my attempts. Miracles came to the house when they had an install 60 miles from where I am located. They used a special felt wheel drill bit and polishing compound.
All the scratches on the front pane were 97.5% removed. I need to look for them and if the lighting and angle are correct, can still see remnants of the scratch. Working on the scratch more could cause distortion of the glass.
Nothing can be done about the trapped gas dot close to the surface. It is hardly visible at all.
However, the trapped gas dot that is at the surface is now worse than before. When Miracles attempted to resolve this issue, the heat from the drilling caused minor glass distortion on the exterior and interior. So, whereas before I just had the dot, I now have a dot and distortion. This is especially visible as I look into the tank from the top and out through the front pane. The best way I can describe it is it gives the same effects as a funny mirror or the edge of a fisheye camera lens. I AM HOPING that once the tank is filled with water, this view will not even be possible. The other problem that I am optimistic at resolving is that whereas before the trapped gas dot was clear, is now white and visible from across the room! (just the surface dot is white, not the distortion) I think maybe some of the polishing compound may be stuck inside? I have tried isopropyl alcohol but have not been able to remove it.
So where am I now in building my dream?
I need to:
A) get the board and stryo placed under the tank
B) hopefully remove the "white" out of the trapped gas dot at the surface
C) pray that the distortion will not be visible once tank is filled
sfsuphysics
Active member
Ouch!
Well looking at the pictures you posted, the first one after it's uncrated does show the movers pushing it across the truck bed, while yeah they do have a moving blanket, if there's any sort of speck of anything on that blanket with that weight it could easily scratch, the scratch pattern does look like a rotational scratch (pushed, rotated and pushed a different direction).
Also the picture of it on the deck does in fact show it face down, I actually cringed when reading through this, and again smallest speck could do it.
Of course these could only explain exterior scratches not interior.
Well looking at the pictures you posted, the first one after it's uncrated does show the movers pushing it across the truck bed, while yeah they do have a moving blanket, if there's any sort of speck of anything on that blanket with that weight it could easily scratch, the scratch pattern does look like a rotational scratch (pushed, rotated and pushed a different direction).
Also the picture of it on the deck does in fact show it face down, I actually cringed when reading through this, and again smallest speck could do it.
Of course these could only explain exterior scratches not interior.
jt48
Member
Adam,
I am happy with the seams but you may not be. I would suggest you choose a custom mfg that is close enough to discuss your demands,visit, and inspect. For me, that would have been coast to coast but unfortunately they were too expensive.
Hope this helps.
jt48
Member
I'm sure that would be the most extreme option, I'm awaiting a response from Miracles regarding the results of their visit. At this point I am not sure what my rights are. Is this something Miracles should replace? Has anyone else had any experiences with trapped gas dots or "seeds" at the surface that affected viewing quality?
Spectre2006
Reef Addict
Any explanation on how the tank passed inspection before being shipped to you. Just got a quote on a large tank from them.
jt48
Member
The scratchings could have been caused during the crating and shipment.
The trapped gas dot at the surface was not seen.
Spectre2006
Reef Addict
I'm debating doing 96 x 24 x 24 or 96 x 30 x 24 rimless, starphire 3 sides. External overflow full length with 8 holes drilled.
jt48
Member
My 96x36 rimless was limited to a max height of 23. Not sure if the 96x30 will be same.
jt48
Member
Thanks. Me too. I am one of the very few that has had a problem with Miracles.
No sorry but I have the felt drill attachment and a Baggie of the orange polishing compound to use if needed.
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