URGENT: Failed center brace on full tank!

[erikras]

I'm in urgent need of some advice. I purchased a Fluval Osaka 320 (84gal) about 2 months ago. It's been filled with water for six weeks now. Over night the glass center brace came unbonded from the rear of the tank. I quickly grabbed two heavy duty bar clamps and drained about 1/3 of the water (down to the highest piece of live rock).

The center brace was only held in place with what appears to be typical clear silicon. When it let loose, it appears that the front and back of the tank separated by approximately 1/8" to 1/4". It didn't tank much pressure with the bar clamps to squeeze the tank back to its normal dimensions. Thankfully, the tank isn't leaking anywhere else. Is there anyway I can go about fixing this without completely draining the tank? I have a tube (culk gun cartridge) of All-Glass Aquarium Silicon on hand.

Thanks much!

Here's a link to a photo. Probably not much use....
Flickr - Failed Center Brace

[alton]

Warranty, call your local fish store you purchased it at and take it back.

[erikras]

Originally Posted by alton

Warranty, call your local fish store you purchased it at and take it back.

Thought about it and I do plan to call them when they open at 10AM. However, taking it back would mean emptying 100+ pounds of sand and 90 pounds of live rock. Then I'd have to rent/borrow a truck again and get some friends to help move it. (I am unable to lift anything heavy at the moment.)

The hermits, snails, and two blue damsels would survive in my 20gal QT for a bit though.

Is repairing this thing an option? I was thinking maybe coming up with a new brace that clamped on from the outsides of the tank so it wouldn't rely on adhesive. But short of having a piece of stainless U-channel cut, I'm really don't have many ideas.

[masonicman]

Yes try to take back. The tank has changed it structure. I would be very concerned that the worse could happen. You don't want to chance 84 gal spilling on your floor. Not sure of any repair options and I understand the work involved with breaking it down and taking it back. But the comfort of knowing there are no variables with the tank would be more rewarding in the long run. You might sleep better at night knowing you have new tank versus knowing you might have fixed it. let the LFS and Manufacturer be responsible.

[erikras]

A quick Google search turns up a few reports of other people having the center brace fail on their Fluval Osaka. $*%$&%&#* wonderful!

The LFS I bought it from does offer delivery and setup. I'll make them deal with getting the tank out of my house.

[billdogg]

Being a new tank, replacement would be my first choice as well. A royal PIA, but best.

Repairing it is not all that hard. Because it is a glass cross brace, and you already have the tank clamped to prevent further problems, all you have to do is clean off ALL the old silicone from the brace and where it attached to the tank. After scraping with a razor blade, use some denatured alcohol to remove and residue. Using a good quality silicone (RTV8?) reattach the brace, clamp in place (spring clamps work well for this) and allow to cure for 24+ hours. take off all clamps and refill the tank. I fixed a tank that way years ago (using GEII silicone no less) and it is still up and running.

HTH

[erikras]

Originally Posted by masonicman

Yes try to take back. The tank has changed it structure. I would be very concerned that the worse could happen. You don't want to chance 84 gal spilling on your floor. Not sure of any repair options and I understand the work involved with breaking it down and taking it back. But the comfort of knowing there are no variables with the tank would be more rewarding in the long run. You might sleep better at night knowing you have new tank versus knowing you might have fixed it. let the LFS and Manufacturer be responsible.

I fully agree with holding the manufacturer and LFS liable. However, how do you figure that "the tank has changed its structure"? All materials (including the glass and silicon involved here) have some amount of flexibility. The glass isn't cracked and the seals aren't leaking.

[Agu]

I would contact the manufacturer for advice regarding repairs/replacement. A DIY fix without their approval could void any warranty you may have.


jmo,

[kclewis]

Return replace if possible. I would lean towards the return and buy a different tank so this doesnt happen again when the tank is out of warranty. IMO it is the best in the long run. The seams may look ok and may not be leaking but there was some kind of unusual stress put on them. if you cannot return replace pm me. I have a partial tube of rtv left over from a sump build. You pay for the ride and you can have it. Should be more than enough to fix your tank.

[erikras]

kclewis,
Thank much for your offer!

[MelloW33]

I would definitely return the tank and get something else. If there are other reported problems with that tank, I'd have a hard time telling myself it would be OK to get the same one again. Good luck to you.

[masonicman]

Originally Posted by erikras

I fully agree with holding the manufacturer and LFS liable. However, how do you figure that "the tank has changed its structure"? All materials (including the glass and silicon involved here) have some amount of flexibility. The glass isn't cracked and the seals aren't leaking.

Your first post stated:When it let loose, it appears that the front and back of the tank separated by approximately 1/8" to 1/4". It didn't tank much pressure with the bar clamps to squeeze the tank back to its normal dimensions.

You had to force the tank back into it's normal dimensions. All I'm saying is that this is a variable to considered that something did changed from the existing manufacturing of the tank that's all.

[FlammySnake]

I would talk to manufacturer first. They typically need to tell the store to take it back while another is sent.

[luisgo]

There is one thing you have to take a look at. Is your stand leveled and strong? There are situations where braces brakes because problems with stands. You may end up with a new tank to have the same problem again. Just an observation.

[Noobeef]

Originally Posted by luisgo

There is one thing you have to take a look at. Is your stand leveled and strong? There are situations where braces brakes because problems with stands. You may end up with a new tank to have the same problem again. Just an observation.

I had a 29 gallon tank where the stand wasn't perfectly level. (I didn't even check before I set the tank on it, I only checked it after.) The bottom pane broke in the middle of the night. I woke up due to the horrible sound of pumps running dry. I was able to get about 1/2 the water out of the tank into plastic tubs before the rest drained onto the floor. Nothing died except a part of my aquarium hobby innocence.

You MUST return it. That tank can never be trusted now. Taking everything out isn't THAT big of a deal. Home Depot has 18 gallon plastic tubs for like 7 bucks. Buy three of them and drain that tank. Your stuff will survive a couple days in the tubs with no problem, granted you have enough heaters.

[MelloW33]

Originally Posted by Noobeef

I had a 29 gallon tank where the stand wasn't perfectly level. (I didn't even check before I set the tank on it, I only checked it after.) The bottom pane broke in the middle of the night. I woke up due to the horrible sound of pumps running dry. I was able to get about 1/2 the water out of the tank into plastic tubs before the rest drained onto the floor. Nothing died except a part of my aquarium hobby innocence.

You MUST return it. That tank can never be trusted now. Taking everything out isn't THAT big of a deal. Home Depot has 18 gallon plastic tubs for like 7 bucks. Buy three of them and drain that tank. Your stuff will survive a couple days in the tubs with no problem, granted you have enough heaters.

And air pumps

[aleonn]

Don't take a chance, return it. The structure has been compromised and it's a ticking time bomb from here on out. You should be well within the warranty period. In the meantime, purchase a few Brute water containers, powerheads, and heaters to hold your tank water, live rock, and livestock.

[jaklos]

I would fight with the manufacturer to help cover costs as u can't move the tank. I would ask for a refund get a new tank and sump and cash out seems to be some problems with quality control on there end

[erikras]

I talked to the LFS and they said I had to first get a return authorization from Hagen/Fluval. I called them and the woman insisted that this was the first they heard and it's only her and 2 others in her department. I went back and looked at the reports I found online of the tanks breaking and they all appeared to be older ones in Europe (before the Osaka was sold in the USA).

She said I had to email her some photos and a copy of the receipt which I will do when I get home from work this evening. I asked if I could get the new tank delivered to my house and the old one picked up. She said they could work with me on that since I don't have a truck.

I'm not too worried about keeping 2 Blue Damsels, 5 turbo snails, a sand sifting star (may give it back to the LFS anyways), and 4 hermits alive for a couple of days. I have a 20gal QT tank in the basement and a 32gal Brute trash can I use for mixing water. Both have heaters. Figure the rock and some water can go in the trash can. The sand can go in 5gal buckets and I'm assuming it'll be fine if just kept wet for a few days.

[erikras]

Originally Posted by luisgo

There is one thing you have to take a look at. Is your stand leveled and strong? There are situations where braces brakes because problems with stands. You may end up with a new tank to have the same problem again. Just an observation.

The stand is dead-on level. I checked it before and after placing the empty tank on it with a 24" level and my 8" Bosch laser level. (I'm an engineer and have a thing for precision and accuracy!)

Thank you everyone for your input and comments! It's greatly appreciated!

[erikras]

Jeez.... so now part of me is wondering if I should just cut my losses with the Osaka tank and buy an All-Glass 72g Bow Front or 90gal. Either would fit on the Osaka stand. I actually got a great price after the holidays on the Osaka kit with the stand, heater, filter and T5 lighting. So it wouldn't be a HUGE loss if I dropped $250-300 on a new tank that would bring me some piece of mind. This is probably premature thinking, I know.

[knockout]

I had a brace break on me, major PIA, keep the braces on and you'll be ok, have them get you a new tank, don't take no for an answer, the livestock you have will not suffer at all as long as you have the water to temp and some form of flow in a tub/bucket, unlikely they will give you $ back unless the tank was discontinued, which was my case when my center brace broke due to heat on an oceanic tank.

[erikras]

I spoke with the LFS on Thursday who said I had to contact Hagen first. Once Hagen authorizes a replacement, they said they'd do as much as they can to help me out.

I called Hagen and the woman I spoke with in customer service was extremely friendly and seemed very willing to work with me. She said there were only three people in her department and this was the first time she had heard of this kind of failure. I didn't have a copy of the receipt with me so I emailed that over along with some photos to Hagen on Friday morning. Friday afternoon they emailed me back saying that they are working on a resolution.

I'll post back and let you guys know. I'm not settling for anything less than a new tank or a check that'll cover buying something comparable.

[syrinx]

If you go with a diffrent tank- I would avoid the bow fronts- I have had many very nice ones- but more than a couple had brace issues as well- something you are not likely to have to deal with on a rectangular 90.

[erikras]

Just thought I'd post a quick update on my situation...

Hagen has agreed to replace the tank and said they will be sending a replacement tank to the LFS. However, it's been 19 days since I sent them proof of purchase and photos of the defective tank and they still haven't provided me with an estimated ship date for the replacement tank!

At this time, they're sticking me with the burden of getting the tank from the LFS to my house. Pretty difficult for me since I don't own a truck and have Cerebral Palsy which prevents me from lifting anything heavy. I'm still working on trying to convince them to go the extra mile and deliver the replacement (when it eventually ships) to my house.