tank supply or custom builder

[txstateunivreefer]

ok so i am done with school and now i get to build "the system" first off i gotta find the tank

i am lookin for a 72Lx36wx25-30t not sure about acrylic vs glass but my plans are for an external coast to coast calfo on one of the ends lots of holes for closed loop eurobraced for unhindered lighting

i know glass cages is one of the perfered venders that alot of folks use but i was curious if anyone knew of other builders that i should shop around with.

[RayAllen]

Others will chime in but im pretty sure there is a local company now that does them. Im a previuos glass cages customer and was very happy with the product I recieved.

[BIGBIRD123]

Aquarium Environments...top of the line.

[txstateunivreefer]

aquarium environments... thats AGE right?

BB where are you getting you tank from ?

[txstateunivreefer]

also what yall think glass or acrylic its gonna be a penenusla tank so if i went glass it would be starphire on 3 sides

[hobogato]

glass - acrylic is a pain to keep clean w/out scratching IME.

[txstateunivreefer]

ive seen what a mag float in the hands of the foolish can do to an acrylic tank

[RayAllen]

Glass

--Pros
Does not scratch as easily
Will not warp under MH heat
Cheaper
--Cons
Glass breaks/chips
Heavy
Seals are more likely to leak versus acrylic

Acrylic

--Pros
Light weight
easily drilled
Comes in many shapes
--Cons
Easily scratches
Doesnt react well with really hot lights
More money

[jl1199]

Glass

[erikharrison]

starphire? :)

[txstateunivreefer]

starphire on three sides if I went with it im gonna need to see it in person first.
if you look at the RC october 2005 TOTM (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/totm/index.php)that is what im going -- a room dividing penensula tank. this is for reason that its versitle, that way if i move from matagorda no sweat patch the hole in the wall and make a new fish room the only diffrences are that my stand will be steel with a honey oak facade covering the canopy will be somewhat taller as well so that i can house ballasts and other non water friendly items "upstairs".

[erikharrison]

I recommend a 600g then, much like GMFett's :D

You had better do a big, lengthy, picture intense blog!

[LoneStar]

Sounds like this will be a nice tank once its built.

AGE would be on the top of my list. They are expensive though. Plus when you factor in starphire, the price is sure to be high...but you probably are aware of that by now. I like the AGE tanks because you can get them with the PVC bottoms. If you want to go barebottom, or if you want to run a closed loop, their better suited that way. Plus if you know what type of bulkheads your going to use, AGE will router the holes and keyways for an exact fit with their CNC cutting machine.

Other than AGE and Glasscages, there is Aquarium Obessed. There are a few builders out in Arizona and California but I don't recall their names. Anything built outside the radius of Texas will cost more to ship though. Or you can break the bank and take out a few more student loans and get a ELOS custom tank!!

[txstateunivreefer]

im thinking of going with glass cages but i have a few questions for em. as for barebottom vs sand... im a sand man i want to do black aragonite and scape it out with fiji and tonga and if possible have pillars bridges and all kinds of cool stuff like this months RC totm (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-11/totm/index.php). oh erik the thought did cross my mind

[txstateunivreefer]

This is what im thinking everyting would be run underneath up the covered side and on top
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w244/cr1161/tankscale.jpg




http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w244/cr1161/tankscale2.jpg

on the bottom towards the front would be the closed loop intake that will be elevated above the sandbed and hidden within the rockwork (red)
the green will be closed loop outputs on an OM4 they will help rotate the tank around in a circle
the purple will be the returns on seaswirls to help distribut the fresh water and mix things up a bit

above will be three DE lumenarcs 2x250s and a 400w in the middle
atinic support will be provided by 4x60in T5s running down the tank and if needed possibly some 24" T5s in between the halides

Skimmer i need some help with the stand should allow a skimmer 42" tall deltec, euroreef, ASM or ??

Feedback?

[cpreefguy]

I got my Starphire cube from Aquarium Obsessed out of Canada. I thought it was very reasonable including the shipping

[wesheltonj]

Look at deepseaaquatics.net, its the old Oceanic workers. You can get stock or custom Glass. Any store in town should be able to get them

[erikharrison]

deep sea also sells brick style aquariums from what I've heard. Mine's a brick!