Scratch in my new 72x32 starfire glass. Builder wants to buff it out, not replace it?

[Jeff000]

Yesterday the tank builder came and finished up my 72x32x32 tank, cleaned up excess silicon and stuff like that.
I get home and have a look at it, and first think I notice is a 1.5" deep scratch almost dead center of the tank and at exact eye level.

Here is a picture, it is 5/8" glass.

I called and let him know. He said he would try and buff it out. I know best case it will be 50% better. And I risk having an optical issue in that spot.
He was trying to almost guilt trip me, saying he lost money on 3 jobs today and stuff. He was also saying that with glass this large there will always be scratches on it from handling.

There are several hairline scratches, that I could probably overlook, and may not even be able to notice with water in it.
But I am really stressing about this big scratch. I notice things, lots of things people can't even notice when I point them out.
I don't even have a hairline scratch in my 2 year old 90. Or in my acrylic sump.

 

[cakemanPA]

I would allow him to try to buff it out. If you are not 100% happy with the results, force him to replace the panel. I would be clear with him about it before he even starts to attempt to buff it out.

And that is incorrect about always being scratches in large panels. That is sloppy work period.

 

[Flame_Angel]

Sorry, but that line of 'glass this large there will always be scratches on it from handling' sounds like a cop-out, trying to pass blame on the handlers. Personally, when I put tanks together for my customers, if it isn't perfect the customer doesn't get it.

Hold him accountable for it, imo.

 

[dan_k]

Yea right with the kind of money your putting down why should you have to deal with that
A good tank builder would leave no scratches. At the end of the day every time you look at the tank you will see that scratch

 

[tkeracer619]

Ouch.

"I would be clear with him about it before he even starts to attempt to buff it out."
^^ This.

If you heard "Those cars always have damage on them. Yeah when they take them off the truck they usually crinkle a fender, hey at least they didn't rip it off (chuckles)." at a car lot...

 

[billsreef]

I've sold tons of "off the rack" non custom standard tanks of that size from manufactures like AGA, Oceanic, etc. that had NO scratches. I'd expect better out of custom

 

[AcroporAddict]

Have him replace it. Him losing money on other jobs is not your problem. For what you paid him it should be scratch free. If you scratch it after you get it, that is another story.

Know this: Your tank builder should have seen this an not allowed that glass pane to be installed on your tank. That is his responsibility and the reason why you are paying him for his work.

 

[Jeff000]

Have him replace it. Him losing money on other jobs is not your problem. For what you paid him it should be scratch free. If you scratch it after you get it, that is another story.

Know this: Your tank builder should have seen this an not allowed that glass pane to be installed on your tank. That is his responsibility and the reason why you are paying him for his work.

I agree that he should have seen it.
And I agree that the glass should be perfect. I can't find any marks on the back glass. One small hairline in one of the side panels, that will be covered up.

But the front glass.... put a film on it to protect it like they do with acrylic? I dunno, shouldn't be my problem.

He said he can't make it till the end of the week to see it even... and said to go a head and fill it up. I feel like he is trying to just make me want to live with it. And I feel that fixing this should be a priority. Am I wrong?
I waited 2 weeks longer than first told for him to start even.

 

[longdangler]

Must, must be replaced.

 

[Breadman03]

I wouldn't put a drop of water in that tank until you are completely satisfied. You paid to have a perfect product delivered. They haven't yet delivered perfection.

Okay, so maybe not perfect, but certainly not looking like some kid tried to excavate it with his Tonka truck.

 

[Tickle]

You don't have floor to ceiling windows put in your house and expect there to be scratches. You don't get anything new or custom built and expect any form of a defect period. Be nice but be firm and tell him that that is unacceptable and you want a replacement period.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AcroporAddict]

I agree that he should have seen it.
And I agree that the glass should be perfect. I can't find any marks on the back glass. One small hairline in one of the side panels, that will be covered up.

But the front glass.... put a film on it to protect it like they do with acrylic? I dunno, shouldn't be my problem.

He said he can't make it till the end of the week to see it even... and said to go a head and fill it up. I feel like he is trying to just make me want to live with it. And I feel that fixing this should be a priority. Am I wrong?
I waited 2 weeks longer than first told for him to start even.

Don't add any water to that tank. You filling it with water is only to his advantage. As it stands now, the scratch is all his because it is unused/untouched by you. Keep it that way until he makes it right. I think he wants you to decide to live with it, exactly as you stated.

I recently had a custom 465 gallon Starfire tank built and shipped to me, and if I had a scratch like in the main viewing pane darn sure they'd be building me another. If your scratch was on the bottom back glass or bottom back side glass maybe just live with it, as you won't see it hardly at all, but the front pane should be perfect, or as close to perfect as you can get.

 

[JaYbIrD1969]

He said he can't make it till the end of the week to see it even...
I waited 2 weeks longer than first told for him to start even.

I would load that thing up and take it to him. If he doesnt have time to settle up on his mistake, I would gently force the issue. Your tank is the foundation of a massive investment. The way it sounds I doubt this guy will expedite the repair/replacement for you either. I would consider trying for a refund and a new start with another builder if he cant be professional about it.

 

[Plato]

Hopefully you payed with a credit card. If so you have protection from the cc company. Tell him you want a new panel because thats what your paying for or would like a full refund. If your paying for a tank thats been buffed or repaired you want a 50% credit. Thats crap. I've installed tons of large tanks and I would never accept that! Get what your paying for.

 

[Breadman03]

Did you pay with a CC or debit card? Look into how long you have to dispute the charges. Use that ability as leverage, if polite communication doesn't result in satisfactory results.

 

[Drae]

Can the tank be turned around and the overflow relocated? Then ask for a major discount for a non starfire tank. Just a thought.

 

[billsreef]

From the looks of that picture, I doubt he'll be able to buff that scratch out. So filling it with water will cause more issues....like delays to drain, or games like claiming it's used and not his problem. So I wouldn't fill it with water.

 

[geaux xman]

So they had put the tank together on site at your home?

Is the scratch inside or ouside? i

 

[Drae]

Is the back painted or tint? My tank is tinted on the back in case my kids scratch up the front I can just turn it around if I remove the center overflow which isn't that hard ( I've done it on a couple old oceanics before) worse case scenario ya know. But in all honesty if he scratched it he eats it. Period.

 

[Jeff000]

So they had put the tank together on site at your home?

Is the scratch inside or ouside? i

It was built in my house. I paid extra for it to be built here even.
The scratch is on the outside.

Is the back painted or tint? My tank is tinted on the back in case my kids scratch up the front I can just turn it around if I remove the center overflow which isn't that hard ( I've done it on a couple old oceanics before) worse case scenario ya know. But in all honesty if he scratched it he eats it. Period.

The back has black acrylic on it. the back is not starfire, and is cut for external overflow.
I haven't touched the tank yet.

Hopefully you payed with a credit card. If so you have protection from the cc company. Tell him you want a new panel because thats what your paying for or would like a full refund. If your paying for a tank thats been buffed or repaired you want a 50% credit. Thats crap. I've installed tons of large tanks and I would never accept that! Get what your paying for.

I paid with credit card. But through a lfs I use for almost everything. The owner of the lfs was almost as upset as I was when I told him. He is on his way out to have a look at the scratch.

You don't have floor to ceiling windows put in your house and expect there to be scratches. You don't get anything new or custom built and expect any form of a defect period. Be nice but be firm and tell him that that is unacceptable and you want a replacement period.

I figured that was the case, and really knew that there shouldn't be any scratches, they don't scratch the 800 lb glass panels in an office building and they have coating that are easy to scratch even. I didn't really think scratches were normal, but now with confirmation I am actually a little bit more upset.
There are probably 20 hairline scratches too, ones that probably won't be seen with water... but still...