Anyone have experience with custom aquariums?

mrsaltwaterguy · May 1, 2017

I'm looking at getting a custom tank made and I'm thinking of going through custom aquariums. Does anyone have experience with them or other vendors that you'd recommend? Thanks!

James Martz · May 1, 2017

I received my tank from Custom Aquatiums last July (120"x30"x24"). Love it. Updates on tank progress were a little scarce, but tank was delivered on time. Packed incredibly well and had no issues with shipping.

I went with a custom steel stand, their stands were too pricey. I also have 4 of the H2Overflows no 4 siphon stoppers with reservoir tub.

I'm sure I forgot something, if you have any questions just ask.

mrsaltwaterguy · May 1, 2017

James Martz said:
I received my tank from Custom Aquatiums last July (120"x30"x24"). Love it. Updates on tank progress were a little scarce, but tank was delivered on time. Packed incredibly well and had no issues with shipping.

I went with a custom steel stand, their stands were too pricey. I also have 4 of the H2Overflows no 4 siphon stoppers with reservoir tub.

I'm sure I forgot something, if you have any questions just ask.

Did you use the stealth box as well or just the overflows and have them pumped directly to your sump? How's the noise level on those?

James Martz · May 1, 2017

Did not use the stealth box. Returns go directly to sump. Noise of the overflows isn't bad, noise when draining into sump is a little loud. Should get better once I skin my stand.

GoVols · May 1, 2017

I like Reef Savvy.

He has a long wait time and if I used him then I'd have to drive down there and pick it up. His shipping cost are through the roof.

But a Reef Savvy is a Reef Savvy.

Crashjack · May 2, 2017

I've got a 142 gal (72x24x19) on the way so I can't speak to the actual quality but can give you my experience so far and why I went with them. Like James said, they don't give you much info. on progress. Based on advertised lead times, my tank and stand should be delivered sometime between last Wednesday and next Wednesday (Wednesday the 10th), but I haven't heard anything. They were real good about answering questions pre and post-order, and the lady I've worked with is knowledgeable... a lot more knowledgeable than someone who just answers the phone. They put everything in writing, including tank dimensions, holes cut, and so forth and make you sign every page and fax or email back. That might be a turn-off to some, but it was a turn-on to me because it protects me as much as them. I wanted a rimmed tank, and the only negative is that the cross-braces are 2 3/8" wide, and there are 2 cross-braces. I've never had a tank this big, but that seems a little wide, though that also includes the lip where you would rest a glass or screen top. My plan is to have open areas or put polyps, lps, etc. directly under the braces.

The reason I went with them was of course the price, but also a local guy who installs and maintains FW tanks for businesses and such recommended them to me. He had a lot of problems with Glass Cages and switched to Custom Aquariums and never had another issue. He said the tanks, service, etc. we're night and day difference. I also talked to Miracles and Reef Savvy but they were high, and Reef Savvy's lead times were ridiculous. I might have gone with Miracles if I wanted a rimless tank, but it would have cost $1,100 or so more.

hart24601 · May 2, 2017

I have two Miracles tanks and really wouldn't consider any other place for a custom tank. Really top notch all the way around.

A lot of places can make great custom tanks, but what about customer service?

So my ~180g Miracles tank got a leak in the external overflow. I sent them a video of it, and with some back in forth they determined the acrylic overflow insert had been cut to large and when it swelled it damaged the external overflow. They asked if there were any local glass stores that would fix it at their expense and with parts they would send. But no place here would touch it.

So Derek the owner flew to Iowa and fixed my tank! No cost to me.

Now they make around 10,000 tank a year, and he was showing me just the week before they had made a 12ft long tank and had to use a crane and take off the side of someone's house to get it in - but the owner of the company flew to Iowa to fix a ~180g tank that only took a couple hours.

Even with a top notch builder mistakes can happen, how easy is it to get service and how well will a place stand behind their products is what matters to me. I didn't get grilled about what stand I was using or any sort of attempt for them not to fix it. They didn't ask how old the tank was, or if it had been moved a lot - they just made it right.

mtraylor · May 2, 2017

I had my custom tank made my AGE. I would look at them before you buy. Great company.

klp · May 2, 2017

Crashjack said:
I've got a 142 gal (72x24x19) on the way so I can't speak to the actual quality but can give you my experience so far and why I went with them. Like James said, they don't give you much info. on progress. Based on advertised lead times, my tank and stand should be delivered sometime between last Wednesday and next Wednesday (Wednesday the 10th), but I haven't heard anything. They were real good about answering questions pre and post-order, and the lady I've worked with is knowledgeable... a lot more knowledgeable than someone who just answers the phone. They put everything in writing, including tank dimensions, holes cut, and so forth and make you sign every page and fax or email back. That might be a turn-off to some, but it was a turn-on to me because it protects me as much as them. I wanted a rimmed tank, and the only negative is that the cross-braces are 2 3/8" wide, and there are 2 cross-braces. I've never had a tank this big, but that seems a little wide, though that also includes the lip where you would rest a glass or screen top. My plan is to have open areas or put polyps, lps, etc. directly under the braces.

The reason I went with them was of course the price, but also a local guy who installs and maintains FW tanks for businesses and such recommended them to me. He had a lot of problems with Glass Cages and switched to Custom Aquariums and never had another issue. He said the tanks, service, etc. we're night and day difference. I also talked to Miracles and Reef Savvy but they were high, and Reef Savvy's lead times were ridiculous. I might have gone with Miracles if I wanted a rimless tank, but it would have cost $1,100 or so more.

There are many listing for Custom Aquariums on the internet. Which one did you use?

Mark Gray · May 2, 2017

Following

Crashjack · May 2, 2017

klp said:
There are many listing for Custom Aquariums on the internet. Which one did you use?

This is where I bought from https://www.customaquariums.com/ . Found out today tank is ready, stand is close, and it will be delivered on time (e.g. within the stated 8 - 10 week lead time).

mrsaltwaterguy · May 2, 2017

I'm debating SC Aquariums as well, they have such great prices and I can upgrade both my seahorse tank and reef tank for the same price as just getting one tank through custom aquariums.

Crashjack · May 2, 2017

I don't think SC Aquariums offers custom sizes. If going with standard sizes, you have a lot of options.

Maddlesrain · May 2, 2017

I got my latest aquarium from Miracles, and although I haven't added water yet, I was very happy with my experience ordering from Derek.

mrsaltwaterguy · May 3, 2017

Maddlesrain said:
I got my latest aquarium from Miracles, and although I haven't added water yet, I was very happy with my experience ordering from Derek.

How was the shipping price?

mrsaltwaterguy · May 3, 2017

Crashjack said:
I don't think SC Aquariums offers custom sizes. If going with standard sizes, you have a lot of options.

They will make custom tanks but they have a wait period of about 10-12 weeks.

Maddlesrain · May 4, 2017

mrsaltwaterguy said:
How was the shipping price?

The shipping was included in the overall pricing so I can't say for sure, but the cost was reasonable in my opinion for what I was asking for. I'd shoot an email and see what the quote is so you'll know in comparison to others.

I contacted many different places, and had one company try charging me 8x what I paid for for the exact same thing and then laugh in my face when I mentioned that what they were asking was a bit overpriced in comparison. Definitely play the field and see how agreeable the companies are before ordering.