Building a tank, how hard?

[ReefOne]

I've seen glasscages, you get what you pay for. Maybe it was the tank i saw, but the edges were off and it really looked like a diy tank. I mean it was cheap, alot cheaper than a comparable custom tank.

[aggman]

Is there a point where it becomes cost effective to make your own tank?

Let's say a 36 x 36 x 12 tank (front and sides starfire)....would it be just as cheap to have someone like glass cages make it for you than to purchase the glass yourself and try your hand at it?

And do local glass shops sell starfire, or is this primarily used for aquarium applications?

building your own small tank is more for the accomplishment not the financial. you have to buy the materials at retail, even shops that claim wholesale pricing are marking it up-unless they are manufacturing the glass. you will end up paying more than to just buy one from a aquarium builder. when size increases exponentially, then so do the savings.

now i am no expert, but this is the idea i get when reading all the diy pages on multiple forums.

~alex