GlassCages shoddy workmanship... ( updated pics added)

[Anonymous]

I would have returned it and ran sumpless for a few days.

There is no way I would except that. I thank you for sharing you experiences because I am looking for a sump and from the pics/report you posted I will definetly look elsewhere.

 

[Rob Top]

I have 2 glass tanks from him, and have recommended him for years, with caution. His view point is one I think most buisness people would love to take, but can not afford to. If you tick him off, he'll tell you to take a hike. I think your letter was very well written, and might bear some fruit for you. I hope so as what you got is not what you bought. However far you prosue this I would suggest keeping the same tone as the letter, you will get much farther.

 

[cindre2000]

Hello,

I purchased a 20*20*16 acrylic cube from glasscages last year and the workmanship is the same. It is stong, well-built, and a little ugly on the top, where it does not matter. I to had a complaint- they quoted me a lower price in an e-mail; however, it was still cheaper than I could get anywhere else.

I think you are being a bit picky. If you wanted it to look perfect with out a seam and what not (like in the picture), then you probably should have gotten it somewhere else. If you want a cheap, well built tank, that looks fine in the areas that matter, you go to glass cages. Even if their custumer service sucks.

-Isaac

 

[Anonymous]

cindre2000 - In Dewman's defense the picture on the website is not even close to what he received.

If they showed what he got on the website and got that then I can understand.

 

[Dewman]

Thanks. Yeah, I am a natural HOTHEAD and I was even impressed with my level of composure this morning.

I forgot one other thing he said... which didn't make any sense to me.

I asked him if he saw the pics. He told me yes. I asked him if that is what the top of the tank is supposed to look like.
He told me that the pieces were actually stronger than one whole piece and it allowed for a larger opening.
I have had a few engineering classes. I am no expert, but sometimes joints can be stronger than the actual material they are made of. I just can't see this being the case here though with all of the gap bubbles ( not sure what to call them) where cement didn't make it's way in to the interface.



Anyway, i will wait. I might try calling him back today to talk.

 

[cindre2000]

I agree that it is nothing like in the picture, and therefor it is very misleading. However, I assume the aquarium was strong and "well-built", even if it was not asthetically pleasing on the top.

I hear the black plastic can be removed since it just hides the ugly joints. But I figure a simple hood will cover the worst of it and it will look fine.

With glasscages you pay for a solid working tank, not necessarally a pretty one.

 

[cindre2000]

I asked him if he saw the pics. He told me yes. I asked him if that is what the top of the tank is supposed to look like.
He told me that the pieces were actually stronger than one whole piece and it allowed for a larger opening.
I have had a few engineering classes. I am no expert, but sometimes joints can be stronger than the actual material they are made of. I just can't see this being the case here though with all of the gap bubbles ( not sure what to call them) where cement didn't make it's way in to the interface.

It may be stronger, since you have seperate pieces glued together; it may not bow as easy as one solid piece. But more importantly, it is a whole lot cheaper.

 

[Dewman]

Cindre2000,
I wish that was what was written on the site.

"We Don't Build Pretty Aquariums... but at least they don't leak...much."

 

[cindre2000]

yeah, they should. :lol:

Did the tank actually leak?

or was there just a gap in the acrylic at the top?

 

[WRASSER]

He made the comment about you going on line, maybe he or someone he knows let him in on your compliant on this FORM. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I am no expert, but sometimes joints can be stronger than the actual material they are made of.

Heheheh that requires a joint though, not a slightly curved piece that looks like it was either a scrap piece that fit the place or the corners were chipped and then ground down to get rid of those flaws. Joint = place where there is a connection, there is hardly any connection.

But yeah it's a pain that he takes that type of attitude, the real sad thing is there are still enough people out there who don't know or don't care to give him business.

 

[Dewman]

Droplets squeezed out along the black plastic band at the side bottom of the seam.
I went back over it top to bottom with Weld-On.
Should be no more problems.

I have a Screamer (alarm) that I will be using in case of leaks.

 

[Anonymous]

It seems a little bait and switchy to me. A pic of the product on the site you order from, but you get something else. Not so good. Thanks for the post.

 

[SnowManSnow]

i still love my 65g cube that i bought from him a while ago. I'll go back should I need another aquarium.

B

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with snowman. I like my 300G glass tank and 150G sump that they made for me.

Admittedly, their quality is not on par with say, Oceanic. But their prices are 1/4 of Oceanic.

I'd be pissed too though if I were you. The acrylic tank you received is not like the one in the picture. The glass tank that I received looked like the glass tanks they show on their website.

Louey

 

[pwj1286]

holy sh** that phone convo made my jaw drop.

At the store that I work at, we make acrylic sumps and they look flawless. Sumps that are flawless! So there is no excuse for this workmanship.

The picture shows good workmanship, so follow through what you advertise!
_________________
japan economy

 

[Anonymous]

Last time I checked, bait and switch is illegal in all states. You've got a pretty clear case against him of bait ans switch.

FWIW, the strongest top is done with a single piece. That piece meal top is not as strong as a single piece. There's a reason why 995 of acrylic tank manufacturers only use a single piece for the top, even though they have to cut out more (waste). If it were a glass tank, it would be OK, but not an acrylic.

 

[Dewman]

Well,
Since I have already installed baffles and a media basket and drilled on it and such, I think I will keep it.
If it had been for aquarium purposes I would have returned it.

I may still order from them in the future if I have no other options. I will just lower my expectations of what kind of product to expect.

 

[Meloco14]

I agree with most of the sentiment here. The website is clearly false advertising. If you weren't in such a bind you could take this to small claims court. But this situation and a relatively small amount of money just isn't worth it. Maybe that's what glasscages is counting on. Anyway, thanks for sharing the experience. It will help a lot of people in the future.

 

[Anonymous]

I was considering going up and picking up a tank from them. In light of the recent thread there is no way on this earth I will buy from him. I am sure that the glass tank I was going to have made would have been great, but if it wasn't that is the kind of service I am to expect as a paying customer? I think not. I work hard for my money he should work hard for his too. I am appalled that he would respond like that. I would definitely hit up the better business bureau and see if bait and switch is a matter to follow up on. Ridiculous. Unbelieveable reaction.