We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on February 25, 2012.

Production Update

Update #20 · Jul 29, 2012 · 17 comments
Hey Backers!  We have had an intense past three weeks. Here’s what's happening. We had our factory ship us another batch of reservoirs. To speed things up we shipped them Next Day Air only to have the package lost by the carrier. After they told us it could be up to 7 days until they found it we put in another rush order and had the parts a few days later. Incidentially, the original package has not yet been found.
  
As we inspected the reservoirs we found many were cut with jagged edges. Supposedly the jagged edges occurred because we are using a thin and flexible piece of plastic for this part. Even though they functioned well we still feel they are unacceptable to ship as a finished product. Instead we are having them sent to a specialty die and CNC cutting shop that we met a couple weeks ago at the Chicago Design and Manufacturing show. We have a lot of confidence in this company.
 
Obviously things like this slow us down and we're only as strong as our weakest link. We kept waiting for better news about the reservoir but felt it was time for an update. Nobody wants to get these aquariums shipped out more than us! Either way, it's great to learn from these experiences for when we produce our next self-cleaning aquarium.
 
Here are some photos of our successes. The first picture shows some of the drilled and grommeted glass that we received from our assembly shop.
 
 
These are the copper spouts we sourced and our custom injection molded inner spout tip. The spout tip regulates the flow of the cleaning so everything works fast, smooth and trouble-free.
 
 
Here is a shot of the jig our factory designed to hand bend the tube. To accomplish this the acrylic tubing is heated, hand-pressed into shape and then cut. A metal spring is inserted inside the tube during bending so it keeps it's shape without collapsing.
 
 
Here are a couple shots of the lid. The picture to the left is one of the original prototype lids we made ourselves by heating and forming a plastic sheet over Lego's. The center lid is the first production sample. You'll notice we shortened it bit and smoothed out the mold for our final production lid that you see to the right. 
 

We are waiting on the reservoir and once we see they are cut to our specifications we will be able to provide a solid ship date. After all, one lesson of this whole thing is to not provide a ship date until we are sure:) Thanks again everyone!

Comments

    1. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Brian Connelly on August 27, 2012

      Wow -- I think this project is starting to make have a sense of doom. I know it's not much but hell --- this is kickstarter.com --- Give a reason\update\ video -- something.... To be silent in the age of instant communication and information is a sign of error or fraud. We can not determine which... but it is not looking good.

    2. Missing_small

      Creator Mark on August 25, 2012

      An update at this point would be great!

    3. Profile.small

      Creator Pace McCulloch on August 24, 2012

      Yes, update please!

    4. Missing_small

      Creator Chris on August 24, 2012

      What's going on with this now?

    5. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Brian Connelly on August 22, 2012

      Were the reservoirs cut to your specifications ?

    6. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Johnny Rowe on August 19, 2012

      Hows goes the progress on this. Would love to get an update! Hopefully all is well.

    7. Monster_hunter_(ps2)_2004.small

      Creator AdamDork on August 16, 2012

      Hi?

    8. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Al Cox on August 8, 2012

      thanks for the photo's please keep the pics coming!!
      So many copper tops! each one of those are for a tank, must be exciting!

    9. Missing_small

      Creator lisa levinski on August 5, 2012

      awesome update! I can't wait to get "bob" in his new tank!

    10. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Brian Connelly on August 2, 2012

      Now that was a good update!

    11. Missing_small

      Creator Carrie on July 31, 2012

      Very exciting guys! I am looking so forward to introducing my Beta "Snack" to his mansion!

    12. Picture1.small

      Creator Craig Wenger & David Turover on July 31, 2012

      @Steve- Thank you as well for your encouragement- We are going to make sure you get smooth edges!

    13. Picture1.small

      Creator Craig Wenger & David Turover on July 31, 2012

      @Mark- Thanks for your kind note, we really appreciate it! Even though we feel the pressure, like you said, we are going to take the time needed to ship out a quality product we can all be happy with.
      @Yong-Soo Chung- The lid is made out of a thick, sturdy and transparent plastic. We wanted it to be strong and not flimsy. It also makes a great little planter! I planted a Zebra Cactus in one of mine.
      @Joe- We will post our ETA once we approve the reservoir cutting job.

    14. Yoda%20origami.small

      Creator Joe on July 29, 2012

      Thanks for the update. Can you give an ETA on when things will be ready?

    15. _yongsoochung.small

      Creator Y. Chung on July 29, 2012

      Thanks for the update. What type of material is the lid again? Does it feel substantial?

    16. P5210140.small

      Creator Mark Lehman on July 29, 2012

      Thanks for the update. The pictures are very much appreciated! I'm sure I'm speaking for a lot of us backers when I say "Take as long as it requires to get it right." It seems like you guys don't need to be reminded of that, but there are some comments from disgruntled backers who seem to have lost some faith. I'm sure all will be happy when we each have a high quality finished product to show our friends and families. We appreciate all of your efforts!

    17. 375872_4190068586474_519349572_n.small

      Creator Steve Lipinski on July 29, 2012

      Great update and I really appreciate the pictures. Also, I would personally be bummed out if I received my tanks with reservoirs with jagged edges. I'm happy you guys are doing the right thing and getting that sorted.

556
Backers
$53,015
pledged of $3,500 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Dec 27, 2011 - Feb 25, 2012 (60 days)

  • Pledge $10 or more

    8 backers

    You'll be listed on our website (www.NoCleanAquariums.com) as a special contributor who helped revolutionize the world of aquariums. You'll be helping fish and their keepers live a better life!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2012
  • Pledge $60 or more

    50 backers All gone!

    FAST-START SPECIAL: Act fast and take $5 off your reward! You'll get one NoClean Desktop Aquarium at the kickstarter launch price (retail will be $75 + S&H). Clear Glass Gems or Natural Rocks included (will email to get your choice). Add $15 per Large Bright-White LED and $13 per Colored LED 4-Pack. Shipping in the continential USA is FREE. AK, PR and HI add $15. International Kickstarters please join our shipping notification list.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $65 or more

    352 backers

    You'll get one NoClean Desktop Aquarium at the kickstarter launch price (retail will be $75 + S&H). Clear Glass Gems or Natural Rocks included (will email to get your choice). Add $15 per Large Bright-White LED and $13 per Colored LED 4-Pack. Shipping in the continential USA is FREE. AK, PR and HI add $15. International Kickstarters please join our shipping notification list.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $120 or more

    50 backers All gone!

    FAST-START SPECIAL: Act fast and take $5 off your reward! You'll get two (2) NoClean Desktop Aquariums at the kickstarter launch price (retail will be $150 + S&H). Clear Glass Gems or Natural Rocks included (will email to get your choice). Add $15 per Large Bright-White LED and $13 per Colored LED 4-Pack.Shipping in the continential USA is FREE. AK, PR and HI add $25. International Kickstarters please join our shipping notification list.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $125 or more

    66 backers

    You'll get two (2) NoClean Desktop Aquariums at the kickstarter launch price (retail will be $150 + S&H). Clear Glass Gems or Natural Rocks included (will email to get your choice). Add $15 per Large Bright-White LED and $13 per Colored LED 4-Pack. Shipping in the continential USA is FREE. AK, PR and HI add $25. International Kickstarters please join our shipping notification list.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $210 or more

    11 backers

    You'll get a case of four (4) NoClean Desktop Aquariums at a huge discount to our planned retail price of $75 / aquarium. This our package for resellers. Clear Glass Gems or Natural Rocks included (will email to get your choice). Add $15 per Large Bright-White LED and $13 per Colored LED 4-Pack. Shipping in the continential USA is FREE. AK, PR and HI add $45 per case. International Kickstarters please join our shipping notification list.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $275 or more

    2 backers All gone!

    You'll get one of the prototype aquariums featured in our Kickstarter video! Your prototype includes a letter of authenticity signed by the inventors. Your prototype ships immediately after funding so you'll be one of the first people on the planet to have a NoClean Desktop Aquarium and own a peice of aquarium history forever! Add only $55 for each "factory-fresh" aquarium you'd like to add in addition to your prototype. Clear Glass Gems or Natural Rocks included (will email to get your choice). Add $15 per Large Bright-White LED and $13 per Colored LED 4-Pack. Shipping in the continential USA is FREE. AK, PR and HI add $15 for your prototype and an additional $15 per "factory-fresh" aquarium ordered (or $25 for a two pack, $40 for three or $45 per case of four aquariums). International Kickstarters please join our shipping notification list.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2012