Derek's Custom 180G SPS Reef Tank

[spyd]

When I picked up my tank at miracles. ...I told Derek about yur leak ..he said everything  has a problem..that's what warranty is for ...he said a car or truck or bike or everything can have a problem when they get it ..he said there warranty is replacement tank and carpet replacement

I agree with that but.... 2 leaks on the same tank... I don't think I've ever heard of that one before. Honestly, it's just been a frustrating build. The tank took an extra month or 2 for them to complete, bulkhead fittings took a long time to come in and when I finally got going, the first leak occurred. So I had to completely tear down again, clean it and ship it back myself. They drove it back to me here, after the first repair, but I had to line up my buddies again for the 3rd time to lift a heavy as  oop: fish tank.... I have some nice friends, let me tell you!!!.... Set everything back up and took my time aquascaping, etc. got powerheads in, added my nitrifying bacteria, the whole works... Only to have to drain it again and move it off the wall, re-level, re-plumb, etc. etc. It is just a ROYAL PAIN!!! Then, they keep reminding me how it's never happened to them before... blah blah blah... and that they will make it up to me somehow... Even though they said that the last time and got nothing but more frustration out of the deal....

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

Derek said yur tank should have been replaced all new. Not repair it

 

[yveterinarian]

Hi Derek:

So sorry to learn of your new leak.  I have been following the thread as I'm always interested in learning new things and I have definitely learned from this one.  So close, and yet so far.  You were so close to being finished, I could almost taste it, then to have to tear it down again, that's horrible and very disheartening.  I realize that there is always the potential for problems with anything out there and whether this has happened to them before or not is besides the point.  I agree with Petercar, they should replace your tank.  How will you ever feel comfortable with the tank if it has already had 2 leaks?  You will always be on pins and needles looking for the next leak.
My heart goes out to you and my fingers are crossed for a successful finish to this.

 

[Duke]

Hi Derek:

So sorry to learn of your new leak.  I have been following the thread as I'm always interested in learning new things and I have definitely learned from this one.  So close, and yet so far.  You were so close to being finished, I could almost taste it, then to have to tear it down again, that's horrible and very disheartening.  I realize that there is always the potential for problems with anything out there and whether this has happened to them before or not is besides the point.  I agree with Petercar, they should replace your tank.  How will you ever feel comfortable with the tank if it has already had 2 leaks?  You will always be on pins and needles looking for the next leak.
My heart goes out to you and my fingers are crossed for a successful finish to this.

its a little late for replacing it.. they need to refund you your money, and leave the tank. nothing but that is going to make up for the troubles they've put you through.

 

[MDGraves]

And pay for your salt and additives for two refilles, and you must have gone thru 1000g of tap water to fill with rodi new plumbing pcs each time, dude this all adds up!!
You need a free tank +
just my opinion

 

[teebone110]

I guess what I have learned from your experience is that:

Atlas Aquariums/Advanced Reef Aquatics =  oop:

 

[spyd]

So tank is repaired. They were able to do it without moving it off the wall thank goodness!!! It needs to sit until tomorrow morning then I will top off the water and get it going again. This better be the last of the issues or the tank will be dropped off at their store in pieces.

 

[outofthewater]

Well best of luck man that would be so stressful what youve been through. Plus all the cash... This isn't the first time I've heard of this tank builders tanks leaking...
Good luck
I still want the green stag lol

 

[davesolo29]

That sucks ass Derek.
I agree that you should be refunded.  Personnally, i would return it now and go somewhere else.  I wouldnt want a tank that has been repaired twice.  Not to mention resale value if you ever decide to sell will be way less than it would be without repairs.
Im very surprised that Flavio hasnt offered you some sort of compensation to make you happy.

 

[AdInfinitum]

I know it's kind of rhetorical at this point but...when they had it in their shop to reseal it the first time, did they replace the back panel with the proper black back panel that you ordered? or did they still just leave you with a "tint job"?

If they had any interest in satisfying their customer "post-sale" they could have viewed having the tank back at their shop as an opportunity to rectify their first error as well as their second, since you could have killed the deal the minute they didn't supply the tank as ordered... 

 

[spyd]

Nope... When the tank went back, they cut all the silicone away from the bottom panel and re-sealed it. I told him I would appreciate it if they could replace the vinyl on the back because they could lay it on the front panel and easily put the vinyl on. I did it while the tank was upright and had it off the wall only a foot or so and the job was sub-par. When I went to pick it up again, they didn't even touch the back pane. All they had to do was remove the vinyl and re-install but they didn't even bother with that.... The customer service is virtually non-existent. I just hope that this was the last of it and I can move on without anymore hiccups.

 

[yveterinarian]

My fingers are crossed

 

[spyd]

Updated photos. Here's the tank with the fixture installed. I am running a 8 x 80w ATI Sunpower T5HO fixture. The light is a wee bit too white for my liking. I am going to change out one of the AquaBlue Specials for a Super Atinic lamp to solve that issue.

The tank has been running for a couple weeks now and I have not recorded any traces of ammonia or nitrates... I have a fair amount of cured live rock in the system but most of it is dry rock. Also, I am running bio-pellets so I don't expect to see much in terms of a cycle.

Also, I picked up one of those sweet Ultra Maximas at IA the other day. I LOVE it!!! It is currently in my 75G tank until my new tank is ready for livestock.

 

[teebone110]

Also, I picked up one of those sweet Ultra Maximas at IA the other day. I LOVE it!!! It is currently in my 75G tank until my new tank is ready for livestock.

Sweet! 8)

 

[unibob]

Love the rock work. Also that is one killer looking light fixture.

 

[TORX]

Amazing  8)

 

[spyd]

I've got a couple beautiful chalices on hold thanks to Bill at IA. I will be putting them into my 75G in a few weeks once I have cleared out some room and then they will soon head into the 180G from there. Pics added. Enjoy!!!

 

[Darryl_V]

That first one is probably the rarest one I've ever seen at Bills and he has gotten some nice ones lately.  Can't even count how many colors in there.

 

[unibob]

They are nice indeed. Good grab. I was there just shortly after you, he was showing me some of the chalices and prices in the states. He has quite a few off this site.....?


www.cherrycorals.com

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

You can go to cherry corals and pick up what you order  or do there once monthly tours  there outside Detroit .they moved to a new place