To those of you that had custom tanks built...

[Teeb]

I'm wanting to get a new tank soon and really want a certain dimension that no one makes. Who did you order it from and how your overall experience was? I'm looking for info on time to build, quality, and pricing. Are there any local builders or talented DIY'ers that do this. I'm looking for glass only, no acrylic.

[Mr Cob]

I just ordered one from DSA.

Custom size: 85g 48 x 24 x 17 tall, 4 drilled holes all in one peninsula overflow (which is custom, normally you would need 2 overflows with 4 holes) with a custom stand 40" tall.

I went through a LFS to avoid dealing with shipping and other details, also had some store credit. LFS store recommended their Ocean View line which is less expensive. I put in my request, they gave me a quote and then I modded the request a total of three times. They got back to me quickly each time.

Now waiting it out. Estimate is about 4 weeks. So far I'm very pleased but I have yet to see the setup.

[Europhyllia]

Same here. Waiting on DSA Ocean View with euro bracing. :)
price is very good.
estimate 4-6 weeks. It's 4 weeks today. Will see when tank actually arrives ;)

[Teeb]

Let me know when it comes in and what your final impressions are. If you don't mind me asking (feel free to PM) what was your cost on it? Who all custom builds? I know of DSA and Marineland, but that's about it.

[Mr Cob]

Glass Cages will custom build I believe???

I'll PM you my costs.

[Teeb]

I've heard mixed reviews of glass cages, so I don't know if I'd use them.

[Mr Cob]

Yeah, plus you have to wait until they have a shipment to Dallas and then still arrange to pick it up....something like that.

[clone]

i think glass cages is ok but you pay for what you get. On the other hand ballers like you should be looking into AGE or leemar IMO.

[glennr1978]

I'm very seriously considering building my own tank. It seems pretty straight forward, I think i can handle it. The dimensions I want are very similar to yours, just a little bigger (52"x26"18"). My tank will be 3 sides starphire. I've done a little bit of price shopping online and it looks like I can get the 3 starphire panels for under $200 + shipping. I've got a friend here locally that owns (actually his father owns the place, whatever) a large glass company so I'm going to see if I can get the glass cheaper through him before I place an order.

[Mr Cob]

Nice tank dimensions Glenn! If I was more of a DIYer I would so love to build my own setup; tank stand and all. But....I have neither the skill or tools.

[Submariner]

Glen where did you find the starfire glass online? I love my custom tank but would like to replace the front and back with starfire since they are scratched a bit.

[BIGBIRD123]

You can order starfire from Glasscages...

[kkiel02]

Like the others- DSA ordered through LFS. It ended up cheaper than glasscages. Not here yet so I dont know how the quality is but from what Ive heard DSA is a great builder.

[Europhyllia]

Guess it's taking that long because they're working on so many MAASTard tanks simultaneously! :D

[Mr Cob]

lol, seriously! Man we should have done a group order! HAHA!

[ReefCube]

always get the best tank you can afford! dont skimp remember you get what you pay for

[Europhyllia]

I don't think the most expensive one is necessarily the best one though. From what I hear the DSA tanks are very good or better than a standard Marineland even though the Ocean View line from DSA may be less expensive than a standard Marineland.

[Europhyllia]

Just spoke to DSA about overflow boxes (Firewater and I are going to be working on a cool project ;) ) and was told their business this year has changed a lot. Hardly any standard aquariums sold. Most orders are custom now so they are running a couple of weeks behind.
He described their process really well and I am super excited now about getting a DSA/OV tank over another brand even if it takes a little longer.
He mentioned something about them having somehow been affiliated or working for/with Oceanic before Oceanic moved/changed or something. The Ocean Views from DSA are build completely different than the old Ocean Views and more similar in manufacturing practices to old Oceanics - or something like that...

[BIGBIRD123]

Sounds like you may be gluing rock to the overflows...like we did here...

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/Picture266.jpg

[Europhyllia]

Yes! Very similar. We are doing the mortar to eggcrate thing from this website:
http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=49
So in order to get started before the tank gets here I needed the dimensions of the boxes. We even got the Emaco and Acryl stuff.

[BIGBIRD123]

I have a 14" saw that we sliced rock to attach to the overflow. It was glass and would have been very unsightly. Within a week, the rock blended in like it had always been there.

If you need to borrow the saw, give me a call.

[Jarob]

Im contacting DSA today about a quote for a custom 40x20x18" tank, im excited just to talk to them!