Opinions on Which Custom Tank

[Hognoxious]

I am in the early stages of a new setup measuring 20" wide x 20" long x 14" tall.

 

I have a few quotes from various tank manufacturers and would like any opinions on which of these tanks you would choose. My first choice would have been Pico Aquariums but they are closed for the season and my second choice was Deep Sea Aquatics in Dallas but my LFS has yet to hear back from them so it may come down to one of these 3 manufacturers below ...

 

COAST TO COAST AQUARIUMS

20" x 20" x14" tall rimless glass aquarium

1/2" regular glass all 4 sides

Overflow and 2 holes

bulkheads, silent-drain & Loc-line return hardware

Crating and shipping

Total $949.00 (note $405 is crating and shipping)

 

TRUVU AQUARIUMS

20" x 20" x14" tall rimless acrylic aquarium

3/4" acrylic all 4 sides

Overflow and 2 holes

IRS water return with dual Locline

Boxing and shipping

Total $499.00

 

GLASS-CAGES

20" x 20" x 14" tall rimless glass aquarium

3/8" Starphire all 4 sides

Overflow and 2 holes

Acrylic overflow cover

2 schedule 80 bulkheads

Pick up at truck 45 miles from my home

Total $ 471.00

[disaster999]

its kinda hard to give you our opinions as all 3 tanks are made differently. one is regular 1/2", one is 3/4 acrylic (damn), the other is glass cage and sapphire glass, which if you read anything about them you will know to stay away.

 

it really comes down how you want the tank made, acrylic or glass?

[Hognoxious]

Yea, it's not exactly a direct comparison.

 

I prefer 3/8" Starphire for not only the clarity and nicer appearance, but also 3/8" is the maximum thickness to use an MP10 ... but I am also aware of the reputation of Glass-Cages so hesitant to place the order. For Coast-to-Coast to build the tank out of 3/8" Starphire it adds an additional $112.00 so at that point I would be spending over a grand on a glass box.

 

The 3/4" acrylic sounds crazy but that is what TruVu recommended to avoid bowing since the tank is rimless.

[pico-reefer]

id go with the truvu acrylic.

[phi delt reefer]

talk about overkill (or expensive tastes )

 

have you asked your local reef club if anyone builds tanks? Theres always one or two guys in the group that does. I had a guy build mine for $150 less than the two popular builders in my area wanted. And he drilled all the holes for free!

 

BTW you only need starphire on tanks that are 1/2" or over thick.

 

also - why would you put starphire on a side that is facing a wall (i assume your overflow will be against one of the walls and not hidden dead centre in the tank)

 

if you got the cash (i envy you if you do) get an ELOS mini for like $1500 - it will be the complete package, with sump, skimmer, ato, etc. Not the exact size you wanted but very close.

[austinp]

Reef Savvy. Check out the site and reviews, Felix over there builds amazing tanks. All perfect silicone, starfire glass. He builds the best tanks I have seen, that's why I got one

 

 

 

 

talk about overkill (or expensive tastes )

 

have you asked your local reef club if anyone builds tanks? Theres always one or two guys in the group that does. I had a guy build mine for $150 less than the two popular builders in my area wanted. And he drilled all the holes for free!

 

BTW you only need starphire on tanks that are 1/2" or over thick.

 

also - why would you put starphire on a side that is facing a wall (i assume your overflow will be against one of the walls and not hidden dead centre in the tank)

 

if you got the cash (i envy you if you do) get an ELOS mini for like $1500 - it will be the complete package, with sump, skimmer, ato, etc. Not the exact size you wanted but very close.