Anyone have Oceanic troubles?

[finn-a-gin]

I have had a 140g Oceanic for 2 years. The day before it was 2 years old, it popped a seal.I sent it back to the manufacturer in Texas.I will be receiving a new tank in a month.
2 problems though is (1) when tank popped a seal, i lost some corals,all shrimp, few crabs.
Loss of aquatic life is my problem(apparently)
(2) My black oak oceanic stand that has swelled and now contracted has left 1/8 to 1/4 in gaps on the joints of the stand.Oceanic says TOO BAD! And that although it looks like i built it myself with a hand saw, it still is structurally sound.
Has anyone ever had unfortuntae dealings with a situation like this? Do i have a leg to stand on or should i pull out the caulking gun?
I tried to see if the joints can be pressed back together, but the only option i can see is to nail or screw it back together( which would look asthetically horrible!)
Any advice would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Finns :help:

 

[joker_ca]

once u fill your tank with just water thats 1200lbs do u really want to take the chance of your stand breaking under the pressure
i would just get a new stand....better safe than sorry

 

[sato]

I would personally attempt to fix it myself because it would cost alot less money. If that didnt work then I would pick up a new stand. As far as the tank leaking my 58 did the same thing after 4 years for no reason just started leaking.

 

[ophiura]

I guess the only positive is that a lot of manufacturers have a warranty that is far less than Oceanic's. Doesn't help much though. Sorry to hear it

 

[offshore80]

I lost a Oceanic 175 BF and so did Tony Detroit.
I was lucky...The LFS where I do business immediately took the bad tank back and gave me another one to replace it. Then held my live stock while I set the tank up. Oceanic sent a new tank to the LFS in a couple weeks. Then I called Oceanic and they cut me a check for my losses. I did have to prod them though.
Tony had a 175 BF also and went through hell with Oceanic when his went 5 or six months ago.
If you run a search on oceanic on the measage board I'm sure the post will pop up on this.

 

[beth]

I've heard enough horror stories on the 125+BF that I would certainly pause before ever getting one. Mind you, I owed a 72gal AGA with no problems.

 

[finn-a-gin]

I talked to Oceanic again yesterday,final word is no stand credit so i was thinking of upgrading...
Has anyone or does anyone own a 180 gal oceanic? 72x24x 25
Am i looking for trouble staying with this brand?
Thanks for any advice and comments,
Finns

 

[offshore80]

I would upgrade if you can. I love my 175 BF. If they offered a bigger bow front I would of got it.
It's all a gamble with anything with seals and is mass produced. That's why the cost is down compared to the cutom ones. I still think about it happening again. It kinda haunts me now. Especially when I read something like this. Maybe talk to oceanic about giving you a credit for your old tank and a discount on your new tank.
You could always cut your losses with the mass produced tanks and go with a high dollar custom tank with no seals. But, then you deal with scratches and other issues. Deal with a very good dealer too. And ask them will they exchange the tank if it blows a seal. A good LFS would be willing too. Also they know you will support them. I owe Tonya's in Hampton Va a lot. They not only exchanged my tank...They saved my live stock. That says a lot for a LFS. They cared.

 

[finn-a-gin]

I put everything in my 90gal AGA.
I am moving in 10 days, so when i set up, it will be into the 90 again. I have been given a credit for the tank, with me kicking in extra $120 i can upgrade to he 180G.
I will leave in the crate for the next year until i am done school. I have been wanting to mount my show tank in the wall...but now the only way will be with a custom tank.Just image the mess with that happening in wall ..Whew
So anyway, thats where I stand right now.
Curiosity..Price comparison for custom compared to retail outlet..How much of a difference? why do you state no seals?how is that accomplished?
Thanks again to all,
It's a little more comforting hearing from ones that have weathered the same storm.
Finns

 

[offshore80]

acrylic, They are molded into whatever you want. The only drawback is the cost. and they scratch easier than glass. So scraping can become a hard task. When you get into the really big tanks it's the only way to go. I just hear they scratch soo easy. But, most people that have them love them.
I would up grade with that deal. Even though my tank is a 175 my system is a 270 to account for the water displacement from the 200+ lbs of LR.

 

[dmc888]

I wouldn't go for the same brand. Might get screwed twice. 3 people sounds like a common problem to me.
Sell the replacement.
And go for the acrylic and rest easier.

 

[offshore80]

I would agree with dmc888.
You have a year to save. An acrylic "180 tank" would cost about 1000+-. Then all the other stuff to go with it. Some sell a complete reef ready package less stand for about 2000+-.

 

[palumbo]

Don't get me started about Oceanics...
I work at Petsmart and we get more returns, complaints, and exchanges on Oceanic equipment than any other brand. I'd say we get a return on atleast 1 out of every 5 Oceanics we sell, and they are returned because of leaking seams or cracked glass(and the glass is cracked when we get them in). I had one customer that bought a hex, set it up in his apartment, and the next morning the tank was empty and the neighbors below were soaked
In my humble opinion, I would go with All-Glass. As far as I can remember I haven't gotten any complaints about them, nor have I gotten any returns or other problems.

 

[ophiura]

I used to sell lots of Oceanics and don't recall a return rate anything like that, nor did they come in broken. But that was a few years back before the real flashy designs. The quality difference was clear between Oceanic and All Glass. So damage may have been in shipping (I am closer to their manufacturing plant in Texas, versus All Glass in Wisconsin). And they would have been returned to the supplier immediately. So might not be bad to look for something more local, or acrylic.
But Oceanic and All Glass are closely related Such is the way business goes these days...mass acquisition one step at a time - lots of innovations, but, IMO, quality suffers when there are steep increases in production.
LAFAYETTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2000--Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) today announced that it has, through one of its subsidiaries, acquired All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of aquariums and related products. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Based in Franklin, Wisconsin, All-Glass has annual sales of approximately $57 million and has approximately 250 employees, with manufacturing facilities located in Franklin and its Oceanic Systems subsidiary in Dallas, Texas. Its brands include All-Glass Aquarium(R) and Oceanic Systems(R). All-Glass was founded in 1967.

 

[finn-a-gin]

With that being said Ophiura,
where does your confidence lie with reliability in manufacturers?
I appreciate your advice.
Finns

 

[rhodophyta]

I have All Glass, Perfecto, and Oceanic tanks, plus some old brand tanks from the '70's. My new tanks will come from Glasscages.com The workmanship compares better, and they appear to be choosier in the glass they use. Perhaps because they sell tanks to a number of zoos. I suspect my Oceanic tank will split or leak because the silicone is starting to show bubbles inside it. Too bad more American tanks don't follow the frameless European model where the edges of the glass and the silicone seals are not concealed by a plastic frame.

 

[joe 09]

i have an oceanic 175 bow and love it.you have to make sure it is level ,that would pop the seams.

 

[ophiura]

Its a tough call...none of these things are perfect by nature. Personally, I would buy an acrylic tank or a custom tank if I could, and if not, for a large tank I would probably go Oceanic. Just my gut but everyone has an opinion. Now that you've had one fail, you may have a very different one But it is a risk, IMO, with nearly all standard production tanks these days. It is a growing popular hobby, and they are turning out tanks real fast with new designs, etc.
Compare failure rates of standard tanks to things like the bowfront. Not sure if more bowfronts fail or not :notsure:

 

[offshore80]

Well, I emailed the manager of cutomer service for Oceanic with some of my/our concerns. Here is his response:
Dear Mike,
Thank you for the constructive feedback. We welcome comments and
concerns that assist us ensure we are continuing to manufacture quality
products. Your comments give us an opportunity to evaluate our
processes to ensure we are exceeding your needs as a consumer, dealer,
distributor, or shareholder.
I am sorry to hear about your experience with your 175 Bow. You did not
mention if that particular situation was resolved to your satisfaction.
We have taken a great deal pride in building and maintaining aquariums
for 20 years. In fact, our mission statement states 'WE WILL provide
high quality products and support that meet or exceed CUSTOMER
expectations.' Our products are designed for the hobbyist as well as
the novice for enjoyment. As you are aware, purchasing any aquarium has
an understood degree of risk.
Regarding your quality control concern; each 'batch' of silicone
undergoes a quality process. We ensure it has both flexibility and
durability. We have, and will continue to reject batches if we feel it
does not meet our standards.
You did not elaborate on your customer service concern or give
specifics. I assure you we are a 'customer-focused' company. We will
strive to understand their expectations and respond quickly to their
needs. We understand that our success is determined by their success.
I would be more than happy to share feedback from customers who find
their investment in Oceanic rewarding.
Oceanic is more than willing to improve the productivity of our
resources. I welcome your suggestions and appreciate your time.
Thank you,
Dani Farris, Customer Service Manager

 

[palumbo]

Ophiura, that makes a lot of sense about shipping. I'm in MN so it makes sense that All-Glass(located in WI) would arrive in better condition than Oceanic(Texas). Ok, I blame shipping.