Best tank for high volume? (250+ gallon)

[HewFoE]

I am doing research to start planning on a future mega build. I currently have a redsea reefer xl 350. I love this tank but the 3xl 900 isn't a large enough display and to be honest, although I have had zero issues with my 350, I am sort of nervous about frameless when the size starts getting that large.

Can anyone recommend a company for a 250-300 gallon display, an included stand is preferred but not required. Sump also not required.

Also... Acrylic or glass at this size? I stayed away from acrylic for maintenance sake in my last build.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

I researched a lot to. I went with GlassCages. I like glass over acrylic (cleaner look for me). It’s heavy! And people will say at large sizes acrylic is better. But I love glass. Rimless at that size not recommended. Check out my build thread if you have a min. Link above near my user name.

 

[rusty hannon]

I researched a lot to. I went with GlassCages. I like glass over acrylic (cleaner look for me). It’s heavy! And people will say at large sizes acrylic is better. But I love glass. Rimless at that size not recommended. Check out my build thread if you have a min. Link above near my user name.

Very Very awesome

 

[HewFoE]

I researched a lot to. I went with GlassCages. I like glass over acrylic (cleaner look for me). It’s heavy! And people will say at large sizes acrylic is better. But I love glass. Rimless at that size not recommended. Check out my build thread if you have a min. Link above near my user name.

That's pretty awesome.

At quick glance, not a bad price for the 300g at all. I did see a couple posts with some horrendous reviews... But then again I can find the same for red sea blowing out.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Crystal Dynamic in Oceanside Ca. they make custom tanks usually Euro braced but they also build rimless, Concerning your decision on what material for your tank, are you going up or down any stairs, are you going up a very steep driveway, around some tough corners? ETC

 

[HewFoE]

Crystal Dynamic in Oceanside Ca. they make custom tanks usually Euro braced but they also build rimless, Concerning your decision on what material for your tank, are you going up or down any stairs, are you going up a very steep driveway, around some tough corners? ETC

I am not concerned about moving the tank, I care about the actual functional design. But to answer the question straight forward, it will be in my basement which has a walk out.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

That's pretty awesome.

At quick glance, not a bad price for the 300g at all. I did see a couple posts with some horrendous reviews... But then again I can find the same for red sea blowing out.

GlassCages has owned up to its bad reviews. They have tried to turn their reputation around. Hence why I did go with them. Like you say, everyone has bad reviews somewhere. Go with what works for you (budget, style, time frame). You’ll have a fun journey ahead.

Do you plan to plumb yourself?

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Ok I have seen videos where they are moving very heavy aquariums downstairs and so forth, not fun. Check out CD facebook page they show lots of their aquariums and they do ship.

 

[fishguy242]

agree glass cages is under new ownership,high quality work!! personal service ,and backed up,worth the call good luck ,be waiting for that monster build thread

 

[ca1ore]

Get the biggest tank you can fit. Unfortunately every tank becomes too small at some point. My 8’ 450 is now full. Plenty of threads discussing acrylic versus glass - up to you you decide where the pros and cons fall. I went acrylic.

 

[HewFoE]

GlassCages has owned up to its bad reviews. They have tried to turn their reputation around. Hence why I did go with them. Like you say, everyone has bad reviews somewhere. Go with what works for you (budget, style, time frame). You’ll have a fun journey ahead.

Do you plan to plumb yourself?

I will have whatever I get come with the overflow, bulkheads etc but the plumb lines I will be doing since I will be routing it to a utility room where my sump will be. I plan on making one big systen connect my reefer 350 and this new tank to the same sump. I don't want multiple science experiments on water change/test days.

agree glass cages is under new ownership,high quality work!! personal service ,and backed up,worth the call good luck ,be waiting for that monster build thread

Awesome thank you!

Get the biggest tank you can fit. Unfortunately every tank becomes too small at some point. My 8’ 450 is now full. Plenty of threads discussing acrylic versus glass - up to you you decide where the pros and cons fall. I went acrylic.

Ya, that is what I am finding with my reefer 350. Corals fighting, fish I want just shouldn't go in it, etc.

I have checked out acrylic vs glass threads I just haven't seen anything specifically mentioning the larger aquariums. They usually discuss the general pros and cons.

 

[Thaxxx]

Get the biggest tank you can fit. Unfortunately every tank becomes too small at some point. My 8’ 450 is now full. Plenty of threads discussing acrylic versus glass - up to you you decide where the pros and cons fall. I went acrylic.

Any regrets? Any? For going acrylic

 

[ca1ore]

Any regrets? Any? For going acrylic

My approach has been glass for smaller/medium tanks .... and then acrylic for large. My 450 is actually my first acrylic tank. Prior 265, and everything before it, was glass. There is no question that acrylic scratches MUCH more easily than glass, but if you are careful you can avoid them. A good quality magnetic wall cleaner is a must, and for 1” thick walls they are stupid expensive.

I have had my 450 up for almost three years and have no buyers remorse. The clarity, aesthetic appeal of the corners and ability to handle it when empty (475 lbs. versus 1,200) all are as promised. Well made, corner welds also worry me less than a bit of silicone rubber holding back thousands of pounds of water. I did go slightly thicker than the builder recommended ..... glad I did .... no panel bowing at all.

 

[HewFoE]

My approach has been glass for smaller/medium tanks .... and then acrylic for large. My 450 is actually my first acrylic tank. Prior 265, and everything before it, was glass. There is no question that acrylic scratches MUCH more easily than glass, but if you are careful you can avoid them. A good quality magnetic wall cleaner is a must, and for 1” thick walls they are stupid expensive.

I have had my 450 up for almost three years and have no buyers remorse. The clarity, aesthetic appeal of the corners and ability to handle it when empty (475 lbs. versus 1,200) all are as promised. Well made, corner welds also worry me less than a bit of silicone rubber holding back thousands of pounds of water. I did go slightly thicker than the builder recommended ..... glad I did .... no panel bowing at all.

The scratching is what worries me. I am starting to notice some scratches in my red sea panels after 3 years from my tunze magnetic cleaner. (Gravel getting in it I'm sure).

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

That's pretty awesome.

At quick glance, not a bad price for the 300g at all. I did see a couple posts with some horrendous reviews... But then again I can find the same for red sea blowing out.

Hi @HewFoE, we've done a lot at Glass Cages over the past 10 months after the leadership transition. Thanks @dreamcatcherr9 for the support. Your tank is gorgeous.

Below is a brief outline of what is going on at Glass Cages.

During October of 2019 there was a major transformation at Glass Cages.

Glass Cages Transformation:
• Leadership Change
• Quality Assurance with QA Check Points
• Digital Production Tracking
• Improved Customer Service
• CAD drawing and approval processes
• Major Investments in Fabrication Equipment
• Polished Edges are now standard on all builds

We are not stopping with these improvements. Please see our reviews after October 2019 on Facebook, google and Reef2Reef. We have asked our new customers to share the truth. Knowing the truth allows us to reinforce the good and correct our challenges.

I am so excited and proud of our Glass Cages Team. We look forward to hearing from you about how we can serve you better now and in the future.

Thanks again and we look forward to supporting everyone's journey.

 

[ReefDude716]

Lot of people prefer glass because acrylic has a more distorted view and scratches a lot easier. The main benefits are tanks that are really large are cheaper for acrylic and they are stronger so there’s pros and cons to both. But if I did a 300 I would do glass. If I went more than 500gallons I would go acrylic

 

[RJKain-777]

I recommend @Joe Glass Cages . His customer service is top notch.

 

[rusty hannon]

Hi @HewFoE, we've done a lot at Glass Cages over the past 10 months after the leadership transition. Thanks @dreamcatcherr9 for the support. Your tank is gorgeous.

Below is a brief outline of what is going on at Glass Cages.

During October of 2019 there was a major transformation at Glass Cages.

Glass Cages Transformation:
• Leadership Change
• Quality Assurance with QA Check Points
• Digital Production Tracking
• Improved Customer Service
• CAD drawing and approval processes
• Major Investments in Fabrication Equipment
• Polished Edges are now standard on all builds

We are not stopping with these improvements. Please see our reviews after October 2019 on Facebook, google and Reef2Reef. We have asked our new customers to share the truth. Knowing the truth allows us to reinforce the good and correct our challenges.

I am so excited and proud of our Glass Cages Team. We look forward to hearing from you about how we can serve you better now and in the future.

Thanks again and we look forward to supporting everyone's journey.

Awesome , company sounds great and hope someday I can do business there

 

[mitch91175]

Get the biggest tank you can fit. Unfortunately every tank becomes too small at some point. My 8’ 450 is now full. Plenty of threads discussing acrylic versus glass - up to you you decide where the pros and cons fall. I went acrylic.

Acrylic doesn't scratch as easy as people believe. If you get sand between a strong enough magnet and glass, it'll scratch glass too.

 

[ca1ore]

Acrylic doesn't scratch as easy as people believe.

Perhaps, perhaps not! Either way, it scratches more easily than glass does.