Calling all perfecto/ marineland tank owners especially DD

[creator]

I am hoping to hear your about experiences with a marineland/ perfecto tank. Especially from those who have/ had a 300 DD, 250 DD, or 200 DD (but still would like to hear from anyone with a marineland tank).

I know that with everything made there can be problems, failures, etc, but I also know that I have seen tanks running perfectly upwards of 10, 20, 30 years. I am about to commit to a 300 DD and before doing so I really want to make sure I did as much research as possible.

The problems I have heard from 300 DD so far are leaks due to the silicone and one where the whole tank broke/ front went out. I have heard that perfecto is a great brand and just as well have heard it is not that great and "you get what you pay for." I also heard that several stores won't even order them due to the high failure rate of the 300 DD - I do not know if this is true, but regardless it makes me nervous.

Thank you everyone in advance

Also, if you would not get a 300 DD marineland/ perfecto please comment or message me why you wouldn't

 

[drillsar]

I have a 75 gallon marineland majesty. The stand is crap and already peeling, etc. I contacted marineland and they did nothing but told me to glue it. I can't glue it and supposed to be under warranty. Well they did nothing. If I didn't get a great deal on this I would be really mad. However, I would go with a better company especially with that much water.

 

[ca1ore]

You'll get plenty of anecdotes here; just not sure that any of it will be terribly useful. I don't know that there's any way to get failure data on these tanks; which ultimately is the only really useful thing to know.

I bought the ML 265, which is their largest non- DD tank. Compared to a friends custom tank, mine does look a bit under engineered, but it's held for 2 1/2 years - so far so good.

 

[Sapelo]

We have a 300DD. We bought it used so it's been moved around (three times in total). The tank is five years old now. Having seen more custom tanks than before we got it, I'll agree that the silicon on it might look a little light. Having said that, it's holding just fine for us.
It does have a custom stand and my understanding is that the factory stand for this tank is a bit short.
So far so good, for what it's worth.
(I'd also add that I LOVE the dimensions. I had my doubts getting into the DD but it's really cool)

 

[creator]

The dimensions is what I like most about the tank. And Sapelo and Ca1ore that is good to hear. Drisslar, yes their stands are the most basic thing possible - the only reason I would even consider their stand is because of the warranty for the tank.

I am wondering would you think it is stupid or smart to cut the silicone out of a new tank and use more/ seal it better than the original or should it be left untouched? (I know it would void the warranty which is why I would probably not do that)

 

[Sapelo]

I personally wouldn't remove the silicone because i would hope the company building the tank knows more about applying silicone than i do. If I were starting from scratch, I think I'd just inspect very carefully before accepting the new tank; if it doesn't look good enough to you, ask the manufacture to redo it.
Just my two cents

 

[davehead86]

You might want to ask the LFS about their warranty about tanks they sell. My LFS has told me that if the tank blows they sell me they will pay for the cleanup. So thats why Im going with them instead of a custom tank from somewhere else.

Ive owned a slew of petco tanks under 20 gallons and never have any problems until i try and move them, so its probably something Ive been mis handling.

 

[creator]

That is something to consider.

And yeah I figured the idea of re-siliconing the tank was a long shot.

If given the choice between the perfeco 300 gallon glass and one acrylic of similar dimensions at 1" - which would feel more confident with in regards to lasting longer/ the integrity of the structure?

 

[RayAllen3422]

Marineland tanks have a lifetime warranty if you use their stands. People have debated the legality of that but that's how it is.

 

[ReefMaverick]

200DD Tank Leak...Again

200DD Tank Leak...Again

Here we go for a Second Time....I Marineland 200DD Tank has failed on me....yep....3AM 1 inch of water in the basement, firedepartment his here and insurance company....I would think twice.....Picture to come

 

[ScienceRulez]

My two perfecto 30 gallon tanks are holding up very well, they are 20 years old and one was even moved across the US half full to keep the fish alive.

I'm not sure what a DD is, but my two tanks are doing well, but they are also fresh water, that might make a difference.

 

[johnike]

93 rimless here.
Still holding water. Not the most professional assembly job I've ever seen, kinda sloppy.

 

[jayball]

Here we go for a Second Time....I Marineland 200DD Tank has failed on me....yep....3AM 1 inch of water in the basement, firedepartment his here and insurance company....I would think twice.....Picture to come

That is horrible. (I have to say that deserves it's own thread)

I have not owned a marineland but the quality I have seen compared to my SCA I would say it is lacking.

the 93 cube that is sitting at my LFS has one crooked panel (visibly, like a full mm deflection at the top). That kind of lack of QC tells me that I will not trust them with the possibility of 300 gallons of water in my house. All IMO...

 

[Capiross1]

Marineland tanks have a lifetime warranty if you use their stands. People have debated the legality of that but that's how it is.

Not so much I have a 93gallon cube and it was leaking a bit from the top silicone called them sent numerous pictures, can't remember what there excuse was but I ended up having to drain and fix it myself and I did purchase there stand to


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[eastlake]

I've not owned one and this quote is from an acrylic manufacturer whos replaced a lot of glass tanks. Anything below 265 gallons in glass is a fine purchase and he would suggest that route rather than an acrylic of the same size. Anything 265 and above he would suggest going acrylic. I know that's not marineland/perfecto specific, more directed at any glass aquarium.

 

[GimpyFin]

I'd stay away from the rimless cubes, especially the 93. I had one for about 2 years or so and the seams tend to separate/get bubbles in them, especially near the top. Never leaked or caused me issues, but made me a little nervous. They'd probably be ok if they used glass thicker than 3/8.

That said, I currently have the 110 tall and I really like it. The glass is thicker and the black silicone looks nice. Overall build quality is pretty good and I have it on a stand that I built. Been running for almost 5 months now. I like the look of the DD tanks and kinda wanted one, I just don't have anywhere to put a tank that big.

 

[ca1ore]

The key really is the stand. No coincidence ML voids the warranty for a DIY stand - no way for quality control.

 

[Scubaken]

I've had a 93 cube running for about 6 or 7 years, no problems what so ever, I have to add that the silicone isn't the tidiest job I have seen, but it hasn't leaked a drip

 

[GimpyFin]

I've had a 93 cube running for about 6 or 7 years, no problems what so ever, I have to add that the silicone isn't the tidiest job I have seen, but it hasn't leaked a drip

I'm guessing you have the older plastic trimmed version of the 93 cube. Those ones don't have the same problem. About 3-4 years ago, Marineland switched the cube tanks to rimless. This varaint of the 93 is the one with the issues.

 

[ReefMaverick]

200DD Leak Again

200DD Leak Again

In my case Marineland Tank, Stand and Canopy 100% leveled (with a laser) these tank are problematic......I had it....I'm quitting.....lost everything for a second time in 2 years....first leaking tank (Marineland 200DD) back in Dec 2013 and now June 2016.....this time...lost ontop of the Tank and Live Stock....My Apex, 1 MP40 Driver and powerSupply, 1 ReefOctopus DC 5500 Controller Power Supply, Basement Floor & Electric Fire.