Large Aquariums

[REEFAHOLIC]

Need some advise. I want to set up a large reef tank, 300 gallons. What would be the best material to use, glass or acrylic.

Anybody out there have any suggestions.

Thanks tina[/b]

[Chris]

Are you buying it or building it yourself Tina? :shock: That would be a pretty cool project.

For a reef I would personally prefer glass since you'll have that much more LR(as opposed to a FO tank) in there that could easily scratch up an acrylic tank. Cleaning can also be done with a little less care with glass.

Another factor is your lighting too... most acrylic tanks have so much of the top covered that salt creep tends to block out a good amount of light without constant cleaning.

Third, glass is usually a bit cheaper.

Just my $0.02 8)

[Tim Marvin]

There are huge stresses on the seams of a tank that big. Acrylic is sorta melted together and will last probably forever. Glass will be MUCH heavier and will only last around 7 years. Glass tanks will also scratch, but acrylic can be buffed out. You can cut out the top of the tank to fit anything you want in, and you can drill them with normal tools. I prefer Acrylic because they are so much lighter and a thousand times stronger than glass. I have both. My glass tank had to be torn down and re-sealed at the manufacturer. No problems with the acrylic, and we built it here in Austin.

[OrionN]

I think Tim estimate of 7 years for glass tank is way too short. I have had tank that last much longer than that. I know that a glass tank builder guarantee his tank for 20 years.
I prefer glass tank. The one very significant advantage with glass tank is the cleaning. You can clean it using a magnet, which you cannot with acrylic. There are 'acrylic safe magnets' that does not worth a darn and still scratch the acrylic. I just have to use your hand every few day to clean the front, especially a 300 g tank. I have done it before and not happy with it.
Glass tank is much heavier, but howmany time are you going to move your tank after you set it up?

[Tim Marvin]

All the glass tank builders I know Only give a 1 year guarantee. If you made it 20 years you were lucky. Mag-float makes an excellent magnet for cleaning acrylic. As far as moving it? You never know... Acrylic is still much stronger and will withstand numerous moves. I like glass tanks 125 gallons and less, but over I still feel acrylic is better.

[Chris]

Oceanic has a 5 year warranty although you're supposed to purchase the stand as well. I thought AGA had a 3 year warranty as well. :?:

:?

[OrionN]

There is a person who build large custom glass tanks in Austin who give a 20 year warranty (fix the aquarium if any problem, not cover the live stock and damage)
I talk with me when I was looking for someone to build my 450 g in 1999. I don't know if he still in business. I even forgot his name. I end-up order mine form Oceanic.

[Tim Marvin]

If you come across his name I sure would be interested. Of course you can warranty as long as you want, but if you are not in business anymore who is going to honor it. Why did he go out of business? Too many leaks after a few years? :shock:

[OrionN]

Tim,
I am not immply that he is out of business. Just that after I got my tank, I was just not interested or follow this anymore. As I recalled he was in business for quite a few years and have build multiple in house, and in business tanks in size of >600+ gallons.
I would love to see your store when I am in Austin in mid November. Can you give me your address. I only saw your phone number on your web page.
I also would love to obtain an Orchid Dottyback (tankraise). Can you order one for me?
Thanks
Minh Nguyen
My email is minhnguyen@pol.net

[Tim Marvin]

Was the company called Holley Mackerel? They put in a lot of really big tanks.
This is a home business. I can order the tank raised fish for you from ORA farms, but I need to get a complete order. You may be able to get one down there from a LFS. Can't you? If you are in the area just give me a call and your more than welcome to drop by.

[Tim Marvin]

So what is the verdict? Are you going for the glass or Acrylic?

[REEFAHOLIC]

Well, I am going to go for the acrylic. I was thinking of ordering it from Tenecor. Any thoughts, good or bad would be appreciated.

Tina

[Tim Marvin]

Tenecor is the oldest acylic tank manufacturer around. Good choice.

[Chris]

I've heard nothing but good things about Tenecor as well. Definately a top notch quality product from the pictures i've seen.

[Tim Marvin]

I have an account with them still, I think. Do you want me to try to get a wholesale price on it? It may save you a bunch. Have you priced them yet?

[REEFAHOLIC]

Tim, that would be great to get it wholesale. Any money saved can be put some place else. (extra coral or two). I have priced it, on Tenecors web site its approximately 1500 for a bare bones tank. I need to decide on the stand and canopy. I believe one of the Austin members is doing stands and canopies but I have'nt decided yet. Now that xmas is coming, I may have to delay till the New year. I am going to take my time on this project and do it right. My other tanks where done too quickly, there are things I didn't do I wish I had done, but Oh well. Live and learn.

Tina

[Tim Marvin]

Are you looking for curves? What is the size? I know 300 gallon, but rectangle, flat back hex, square, ????

[REEFAHOLIC]

It would be 96 x 24 x 30, rectangle.

Tina

[Chris]

30" deep is going to look nice but man that going to be a pain working on when you need to get to the bottom.

8)

[OrionN]

I have a 34 inches deep aquarium. It is really not bad at all. I have a pair of 2' forceps that I use to pick things up and feed my anemones. I really like the dept of the tank.
I have a magnet to clean the glass and blades on pvc pipe to use to clean spots of coralline algae of the glass.
You will find that you will manage fine with a deep tank.
Minh Nguyen

[Tim Marvin]

OK I tried to hit the dealer pricing page, but it seems they changed their web page and no longer have the price page. I sent them an E-mail so we'll see what I hear back from them. I am also checking to see if I can have it drop-shipped directly to you so we won't have to figure out how to get it there. They will usually charge about $20 extra for a drop-ship, but if it is a lot less you'll make out like a bandit. I don't think they are half price to dealers but let's see what they say. I bet less than $1,000.

[Tim Marvin]

Mag floats work great on deep tanks. You'll also find you can keep mushrooms and brains on the bottom and Acropora at the top. My tank is 30 deep and I have a huge variety of corals in it. Deeper is better...........?

[Tim Marvin]

Well it doesn't look much cheaper. I can get it for you for $1200 even. I guess it would save enough to pay your freight though.

[Chris]

Hey Tim just curious can you get cheaper prices through Oceanic as well? Alamo Aquatics quoted me $300 for a 24 ½ x 24 ½ x 23 ½ tank through Oceanic. That'll be my next species tank... the one I was thinking of putting a cuttlefish in. Haven't found a good source for the smaller species of cuttlefish though so I may end up with a small octopus. :?

[Tim Marvin]

I'm not set-up with Oceanic, but we can build an acrylic tank that small or get one from aqua trends down there. Of course you'll need a good lid for an octopus.

[Chris]

Already ahead of you on the lid. Acrylic would also look nice. Any idea of a price-range something like that costs?

[Tim Marvin]

Around $200. Maybe $150 if you put it together yourself in the workshop.

[Triggerman]

chris,

i checked my sources on that oceanic cube, $300.00 seemed pretty pricey to me coinsidering it's just a 56 gal. empty tank. since it's a custom tank that's why the high price also because of the height and depth they have to use thicker glass. actual cost is about $275.00 so $300.00 is not unreasonable. i'm not sure if you're dead set on that size, but oceanic makes a 37 gal. cube combo 24.5x18.5x21.5 that is about $150.00. other option would be to call aqua trend locally and have them give you a price.

ray

[Triggerman]

chris,

forgot to mention they also have a new 55 cube combo that's 24x24x21
that's $190.00 -$200.00. the other one i mentioned was the wrong dimensions i meant 24x18x23 and that's a 43 gal. combo for about $150.00-$160.00.

ray

[Chris]

Thanks Ray!

The 24x24x21 sounds like a good deal. I'll have to remember that when it's time to buy.

;)

[JesterGrin]

I am looking at a 215 Oceon but now you have me thinking plastic? I was allways told that plastic scratches very easy and not very good for a salt tank? Just trying to figure out which way to go really.

Any help would be great.

[Tim Marvin]

Like I said I like glass for up to about 100-150 gallon, but above that I prefer acrylic because of the strength. I just don't trust the silicon any more for that much stress and since acrylic is actually bonded, melted is probably a better term, together it is almost indestuctable. It can also be repaired easy. You can scratch glass just as easy if you bang it with coral rock. Magnets have also greatly improved and coralline algae loves plastic!