Juwel Rio 180 Owners (or Similar - Please Help!

[BFG]

Hi,

I've got a Juwel Rio 180 that so far seems to be ok. Bit of background - the tank is the new design with the moulded centre brace that is an integral part of the top brace surround (not separate as the older ones are). The bottom of the brace appears to be siliconed to the glass.

This silicone (for want of a better description) appears to be stretching (approx 2 or 3 millimetres) at the front and the back. This is causing the brace to warp slightly, and the lid isn't quite fitting right as with the tank lid down and it flush at the edges, it's (you've guessed it) 2 or 3 mm away from flush in the middle. I can see that the glass has warped slightly but it's not noticable unless you're looking for it.

Should I be worried? I can post photos (if I can find my USB cable) but I just wanted to know if anyone else has this same issue?

Thanks,

BFG

 

[sub.42]

Seems like a phone call to those nice people at Juwel for a new top brace is inevitable. Keep a very close eye on it. You dont want 180 litres of water all over the floor. There is only one problem with Juwel tanks, lowering the water level is not really an option if you have kept the original filter. Get on the phone tommorow, and see if they will send you out a new top brace.

Good luck,

sub.

 

[BFG]

Seems like a phone call to those nice people at Juwel for a new top brace is inevitable. Keep a very close eye on it. You dont want 180 litres of water all over the floor. There is only one problem with Juwel tanks, lowering the water level is not really an option if you have kept the original filter. Get on the phone tommorow, and see if they will send you out a new top brace.

Good luck,

sub.

Hi Sub - unfortunately this tank is a new design where the middle brace cannot be replaced - it is literally moulded into the top frame.

I've been onto Juwel, and though quick to reply saying 'it is not an integral part of the structure' they said the only solution is a new tank as the centre brace cannot be replaced. I haven't spoken to them about this bit yet, but no receipt = I'm probably not going to have much luck

 

[ringham]

I have a jewel 240 and have had it for around 1 year now, not had a problem like that tho. Unlucky

 

[zig]

Try searching this section of the forum for more info, i know others have had this problem as well, only problem with the search will be entering the word Juwel, as so many people own those tanks, try a few different words in the search, i know for definate jimbooo another member here had this problem, i think his tank was probably an older version of the 180 though.

As a last resort you could make your own centre brace from 1/4 inch glass, just get it cut a couple of inches wide and use suitable aquarium silicone to glue it on, beats buying a new tank anyway.

 

[jimbooo]

has the brace cracked or just stretched.

mine has cracked (same injection moulded brace as you) due to the additional tubes resting on it. well thats the only cause i can think of.

i have spoken to Julie at Juwel who has offered me an unlimited (regarding time) warrenty to replace the tank. as soon as i move house when ever that may be they are giving me a full refund on the tank so they can get it back for development purposes.

to put your mind at rest when i asked if my front glass was in danger of bursting the reply was that all Juwel tanks are made to withstand the pressure of a full tank without the brace. all the brace does is reduce the bowing of the glass.

mine bows a bit, if you pull the flaps fully forward so they are tightly fitting in the front corners you get a tiny maybe 1/2mm gap at the front just in front of the flap handle.

one thing that may be usefull id that the injection moulded braces had only been about for 6 months when i reported the problem (nov 05), although i've lost my receipt they knew it was within the year as they are so new.

read this topic. i've put pictures on the thread so you can see what has happened to mine.

let me know if you need any more advice on it.
James

 

[sub.42]

Just checked my tank aswell, it's the same as yours. It's bowed. Now, either we are getting all upset about nothing, or Juwel have a serious manufacturing problem. The only thing that bothers me, is every tank I have owned, has never bowed like this. I have just put a straight edge up to the glass and its at least 6mm out to the edge. That means its bowed by 6 mm in the middle. THe flaps have a serious gap along the middle front edge too. If the brace cannot hold the top of the tank, then I consider it to be unsupported, and with no strength. jimbooo, did you say Julie has agreed to exchange yours? I will be on the phone tommorow, I hope they can help me out here!

sub.

 

[jimbooo]

yes but specifically because it's cracked. if you look at my thread (link above) theres some pics near the end. i doubt they'll replace it just for bowing but you can try.

they were really specifically interested in mine because of the additional tubes resting on the brace. i mentioned that a lot of people will do the same for planted tank purposes and that although it is modified hence invalidating the warrenty if they dont look into it they will end up with a lot of unhappy customers. just because a light bulb is resting on it shouldn't result in a cracked brace regardless of the modification.

Julie spoke to the Juwel directors in germany, forwarded my thread from here and as a result they desperatly want my tank back to find the root of the problem. unfortunatly i cant empty the whole tank as i have nowhere to store the fish in the meantime so they agreed to take it when i move house as the contents will have to be rehomed temporarily anyway.

 

[BFG]

Just checked my tank aswell, it's the same as yours. It's bowed. Now, either we are getting all upset about nothing, or Juwel have a serious manufacturing problem. The only thing that bothers me, is every tank I have owned, has never bowed like this. I have just put a straight edge up to the glass and its at least 6mm out to the edge. That means its bowed by 6 mm in the middle. THe flaps have a serious gap along the middle front edge too. If the brace cannot hold the top of the tank, then I consider it to be unsupported, and with no strength. jimbooo, did you say Julie has agreed to exchange yours? I will be on the phone tommorow, I hope they can help me out here!

sub.

Nah, I'm still in the early stages of discussion with Juwel trying to work out if it's a problem. Mine doesn't seem to be shifting any more at the moment, so I don't know what to do. I'm tempted to either rebrace it myself when the tank is drained, or drain it and stick a bucket load more glue / silicone around the centre brace- glass join.

However, I've done a water change and left the water about 6mm below the red line (the water is still above the surround) and it seems to have helped.

Not being funny, but I'm glad I'm not alone!! With any luck this can get resolved ASAP.

Let me know how you get on, and I'll post on here if I hear anything.