Oceanic Bowfront Stands

[VGB]

I have had my 180 gal reef for years and decided to down-size to a 92 corner bowfront

I bought the tank but was hestitant about the stand because it was made of particle board. After closer examination of the inside when I got it home, I found at least two cracks in the braces that support the tank There are probably more that are hidden. Will it eventually fail?

The particle board was split when the screws were installed.
Has anyone else with these type of Oceanic stands found these cracks.?
We all know what happens with water and partcle board. This stand is just poor quailty and I expected better from Oceanic. I want to return the stand and I hope the store-which shall remai nameless at this time-will let me return it.
I will try to attach a picture.
Any experience or anyone with this style stand see this?
Thanks for imput
V. Buford

edited to add that the tank has not been set up or water or a load put on the stand

[cpreefguy]

If you bought this stand brand new from a LFS, take it back and get your money back!
I am also very weary about particle board which is why I have built stands in the past. There are also a few members here that build stands for very reasonable prices with excellent quality. HTH.
Sean

[Ross]

Yeah, if that thing is new take it back! If its not then i would definetly replace those supports. Building a new stand for that thing would be a pretty big job considering its a bowfront.

[Shark_Bait]

Oceanic has a 5 year or something like that... Definately bring it back..

[Someone]

i build my own stands for my tanks. mainly because of that^. I just don't trust that particle board. Btw i have a corner tank and I definately agree with ross on this, it is not easy to build a stand for a curved tank... but I would just take it back, get your money back if you can and work on building yourself a new stand.

[VGB]

Thanks for the replies.
I found out at the Oceanic site the stand is NOT under warranty, only the tank.
I now have to drove over to Houston and give the LFS a chance to take it back and HOPE they get their money back from Oceanic.
I have decided I want the All-Glass stand which is the same demesions as Oceanic and solid wood.
I am truley dissapointed in Oceanic and wouldn have NEVER bought a particle board stand except it was Oceanic.
I advise all with Oceanic stands like these to look closely before bying or even if you own one, as this is the only piece of junk I ever saw Oceanic put out.

MY 180 is an Allglass and it been running for 8 years now with zero defects. Some of you here know me and have seen my 180 but I want a smaller tank.
Thanks
Vic B.

[::pete::]

VGB ... remember that once you put the tank on a stand not made by Oceanic it voids the warranty. Thats how they get you and with out even a kiss!!!

[cpreefguy]

If Ive learned one thing about Oceanic, it is that they are very proud of their tanks $$$$$$$$ and apparently their stands too :wacko

[VGB]

Pete, I would rather put my new Oceanic tank on cinderblocks than this POS stand and take my chances. Too bad they dont make an oak stand. This is the only Oceanic stand for this tank.

cpreefguy- we will see how Oceanic stands behind their products.

I will update this by weeks end when I can make some phone calls
after the holidays.

Thanks again. :roll

[::pete::]

If Ive learned one thing about Oceanic, it is that they are very proud of their tanks $$$$$$$$ and apparently their stands too :wacko

I dont know that the word is proud!! The basic support stand (@40.00 in material) cost 350.00. I guess you can call that proud in the sense they can get it from some ... :P

[Richard]

I have that same stand/tank. No cracks but I agree it's overpriced for what you get.

If it purchased new then returning it for a replacement should be a non-issue. If it is call oceanic direct, IME they do back their products. A full refund for cash back will be up to the store though.

[::pete::]

If it was mine they would replace the stand or give a full refund ... absolutely no other outcome.

Would you buy a new car with a dent? Or a new car that was fixed for a new car price?

[VGB]

Yes, I want a full refund. Not another stand.
I have changed my mind on this stand and DO NOT want to even consider using a a particle board stand. Again I will call Tuesday, the store and Oceanic.
I do want my money back and a solid wood stand.
If the LFS or Oceanic want to be dixxxxx, then I will let you kow, I feel I should be due a FULL REFUND on this.
Do I have a leg/stand to stand on(pun intended)? :(

[::pete::]

Of course you do. Just let them know that when it fails in 3+ years you will have this documented and be looking for a brand new setup. They will listen then!!

[Richard]

Do I have a leg/stand to stand on(pun intended)?


I think you definitely have a leg to stand on, but not with oceanic as far as a cash refund goes. Since they did not sell you the tank they won't give you your money back. Oceanic doesn't sell direct, they just sold a stand to a distributor who sold it to a store who sold it to you. With price markups along the way of course.

Some stores have a "store credit only" policy but since it is damaged, and looks like an obvious manufacturing defect to me, they can just return it to the distributor for a full refund for themselves. Some stores also charge a "restocking" fee but that is usually to help them if they are getting stuck with inventory they wouldn't normally stock since they can't return something just because someone changes their mind so you should be able to get around that since it is damaged and they can just return it. BE NICE!!! I can't speak for any other store but I am always more accommodating to people who treat me with respect and not so much with people who are rude and getting in my face. Stuff happens, so don't walk in the store mad before they even know what happened. Believe it or not stores WANT you to be happy so you'll keep coming back and you have a legitimate reason to want your money back.

I'm assuming it was purchased new, if it was used or "as is" then I guess all bets are off. Good luck, keep your cool, and Merry Christmas!

HTH

[cpreefguy]

If you learn one thing in life, it's that the squaeky wheel gets oiled!
I hate to sound like Confucious (sp?), but it's true. If you have to drive all the way to Houston, you better get a refund! If not, raise heck! If you are assertive enough, they WILL give you a refund. If not, post here and then we will know that this is not a reputable LFS to go to.

[::pete::]

If they dont help you ... I will :innocent and they will regret it!!

[cpreefguy]

I am intimidated by Pete :bigguywithtattoos

[Richard]

I meant be nice first so they have a chance to be nice back. If they're not then....

[cpreefguy]

Definatly. Hopefully they are understanding of your problem. That is what seperates good LFS' from bad LFS'.
I know that Richard's is a good LFS, and a few others around this area. I am not so familiar with the Houston LFS scene...

[VGB]

Thanks guys.
I am not going to storm in there and demand a refund. I am willing to work with the LFS but I dont want another stand like this. I am willing to work with them to get an Allglass stand but I want to leave with the problem resolved.
If I have to chalk up the loss to Buyer Beware-I am NOT going to use this Oceanic stand.
I am not going to accept a replacement stand as this stand is junk IMO.

Refund-Great.
Store credit-not so great
Re-stockig fee on a defective stand-anger
Replacement stand-unacceptable.

I just feel I should be due a refund. Am I correct Richard?

Yeah I dread the drove to return this but I wanted this tank and when I want something, I get it that day...which I did.
Like I said, I just thought Oceanic wouldn`t sell junk this.
But maybe its the global economy and competion....

Well anyway, Merry Christmas.
I have just finished putting together and installing all the batteries in the toys that Santa/Dad will soon deliver.
Time for a shot of Crown Royal and a Heineken and forget about the stand.
Thanks for the advice.

Richard, are you an All Glass dealer? Can you give advise abot how to get one. I will call Tuesday and find out from Allglass what to do.

BTW do you remeber that guy in Bulverde who sold corals out of his garage around 1998-99?? Still got a few LPS corals I got from him all those years ago. Seems he quit the business and moved to Alaska. Does anyone remember this guy?
Business was called Reef Savers.

Again Thanks all!
:P

[Richard]

We don't sell much all-glass but the distributor for them is out of houston so I'm sure that store can help you out.

[VGB]

I exchanged email with a lady at Oceanic about the cracks. I clearly told her I wanted a refund and WOULD have NEVER bought a particle board stand except it was made by Oceanic.
She offered a replacement.
I will give her the benefet of the doubt that she didn`t see the "REFUND" part since I send her a lengthy email.
She appeared appalled at the cracks. The LFS I bought it from would commit to a refund unless Oceanic does. They also agreed that the cracks were unsafe and NOT to use the stand. So does that mean replacement or store credit?

I WILL NOT use us this stand or a replacement, only solid wood, and now face trying to get an All-Glasss stand and using my "Replacement" stand as a book case or something to store my jij-saw in. :(
Thanks.
VGB

[Ram_Puppy]

I think you should get an solid wood stand if it makes you feel more comfortable, however, I have to say that I had a SeaClear 55 show tank on a particle board stand for 5 years w/ no issues, and I am sure Oceanic normally puts out a quality product, MDF is sterner stuff in all things but water, and if I am correct, that MDF stand is actually covered in a plasticized coating.

All that being said, there is nothing like a solid wood stand, i hated that plasticized black stand for my seaclear tank from the day I bought it, I was just to cheap to replace it.

Good luck, and let us know how it all turns out.

[VGB]

Thanks Ram. Solid pine/oak all the way.
Yes I will be taking down the 180. I will have some very nice rock black and red sponge encrusted and corals that will neeed homes.
This system is 15 years old. Flat worm and red bug free thanks to Joshua.... :roll

Many of you have seen my tank and have frags from it it and yes I will be selling what wont fit into the 92.
Will keep you posted

[VGB]

Got my refund Friday. I must admit I wasn`t exactly honest about WHERE I bought the stand because this LFS is a sponsor here.
All I will say is I got it in Austin so the ride wasn`t that bad. Besides, good excuse to go to Heart of Texas Music(Guitars) on South Lamar. :skeezy
Was treated very well and proffesionally by Oceanic and ummm.....okokokokokokokokok...Aquatek.
Kudos to Bruce and crew. Wasn`t their fault.

Can get an All-Glass pine stand in black by Friday so a recovery was made.

[serpinski]

I have the same tank and stand. The particle board, well, particle boarded when it got wet. I rebuilt the stand with pine for about $40-50 and reattached the Oceanic hardware one afternoon. It has been doing its job well. The swollen, wet particle board didn't fail but I didn't want to take the chance.

BTW - I love this tank. The 92 is great!