Custom builders, strongly considering Glass cages

[kcinnick]

I am moving and selling my 300+ gallon tank. I am already shopping for my new tank and well, the prices the local store is asking for is astronomical to get a few custom changes. I have sold aquariums, I know what they cost, I don't mind paying for quality, but I am not paying 2X cost for someone phoning in an order for me. ANYWAY, support you local stores... if they are being reasonable.

That brings me to glass cages, it seems like most of the reviews I can find in the past 2-3 years are overwhelmingly positive. I have ordered stuff from them before, but never a tank. How does everyone feel about the quality coming out now? I have to bring this thing up a flight of stars so I won't be going with another 300 gallon tank, but the 195 wide is talking to me!

I want to have it drilled for a external overflow and closed loop. I am torn on doing low iron glass, I know it is clearer but it also scratches easier, undecided now. I shot a message to Modular Marine to see when they are taking orders again, if there is anyone else with a good design I am all ears.

I plan on going skimmerless. I want to do an algae scrubber and honestly I have had tanks with and without skimmers over the years, the tanks without skimmers ran just as well or BETTER than tanks with skimmers and I skip a HUGE PITA factor.

So I guess I touched on a few things, anyway, thoughts and advice welcome.

 

[fishguy242]

hi,call Joe..,best advice i can offer ..quality is key..

 

[kcinnick]

hi,call Joe..,best advice i can offer ..quality is key..

Do you have a glass cages tank?

 

[fishguy242]

Not yet..but have been following since ownership change..nice work.

 

[ReefEco]

Heard good things about Glass Cages as well. Depending on where you live, you can possibly save on a local company and pick up, and not have to go through the cost or worry about shipping. However, whatever you do, don't use Custom Aquariums/Custom Cages... I ordered 5 tanks from them and it was a horror story of incompetence, dishonesty, and excuses. RUN.

 

[kcinnick]

Heard good things about Glass Cages as well. Depending on where you live, you can possibly save on a local company and pick up, and not have to go through the cost or worry about shipping. However, whatever you do, don't use Custom Aquariums/Custom Cages... I ordered 5 tanks from them and it was a horror story of incompetence, dishonesty, and excuses. RUN.

I am patiently waiting my final quote from Glass Cages. I am going with 60"X30"X25" with coast to coast external overflow and having them drill for a closed loop.

I got a quote from custom aquariums, they seem responsive and the tank price isn't bad. I don't like their solution to the external overflow too much and their stand prices were crack pipe high. I know the stand from Glass Cages is pretty basic, but I am painting it white anyway, it can be basic. I like that there is basically ZERO hardware on the glass cages stands to corrode, because it ALWAYS corrodes.

 

[mdb_talon]

I have a couple glasscages tanks and they have been great(had for several years). Would not hesitate to order from them.

 

[nereefpat]

For my next build, I will definitely consider Glass Cages too. He has fantastic engagement here on reef2reef, and I keep hearing great things about build quality and service.

For your other questions:

I am torn on doing low iron glass, I know it is clearer but it also scratches easier, undecided now.

Side by side, you can tell. But I've never looked at a nice tank and thought "man, if only that thing had Starfire Glass." Up to you though, obviously.

I can't understand how one would scratch easier than the other, but maybe I'm the dummy here. It's fairly difficult to scratch a glass tank...just my experience.

I shot a message to Modular Marine to see when they are taking orders again, if there is anyone else with a good design I am all ears.

Fiji Cube is another to look at.

I plan on going skimmerless. I want to do an algae scrubber and honestly I have had tanks with and without skimmers over the years, the tanks without skimmers ran just as well or BETTER than tanks with skimmers and I skip a HUGE PITA factor.

I tend to agree with you on the skimmer. But it totally depends on your philosophies on stocking, feeding, rock, sand, scrubbers, water changes, etc. It is nice to have one in case you need to remove something, or carbon dose, or have extra aeration. I have mine unplugged currently, but I do like to have one.

 

[kcinnick]

For my next build, I will definitely consider Glass Cages too. He has fantastic engagement here on reef2reef, and I keep hearing great things about build quality and service.

For your other questions:


Side by side, you can tell. But I've never looked at a nice tank and thought "man, if only that thing had Starfire Glass." Up to you though, obviously.

I can't understand how one would scratch easier than the other, but maybe I'm the dummy here. It's fairly difficult to scratch a glass tank...just my experience.


Fiji Cube is another to look at.


I tend to agree with you on the skimmer. But it totally depends on your philosophies on stocking, feeding, rock, sand, scrubbers, water changes, etc. It is nice to have one in case you need to remove something, or carbon dose, or have extra aeration. I have mine unplugged currently, but I do like to have one.

I am splurging on low iron glass, it is clearer, I don't think it is a deal breaker but it is a small portion of the budget.

No need for a aftermarket overflow, going with the coast to coast

I mistyped the size, 72"X30"X25 is what tank I am going with.

 

[nereefpat]

I mistyped the size, 72"X30"X25 is what tank I am going with.

Love those dimensions.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I am patiently waiting my final quote from Glass Cages. I am going with 60"X30"X25" with coast to coast external overflow and having them drill for a closed loop.

I got a quote from custom aquariums, they seem responsive and the tank price isn't bad. I don't like their solution to the external overflow too much and their stand prices were crack pipe high. I know the stand from Glass Cages is pretty basic, but I am painting it white anyway, it can be basic. I like that there is basically ZERO hardware on the glass cages stands to corrode, because it ALWAYS corrodes.

Hi @kcinnick. we are very responsive. Did you get your quote yet? Let me know. Customer service is highly important to us. Thanks so much!

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I have a couple glasscages tanks and they have been great(had for several years). Would not hesitate to order from them.

Thanks so much for the support @mdb_talon Thats radical.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

For my next build, I will definitely consider Glass Cages too. He has fantastic engagement here on reef2reef, and I keep hearing great things about build quality and service.

For your other questions:


Side by side, you can tell. But I've never looked at a nice tank and thought "man, if only that thing had Starfire Glass." Up to you though, obviously.

I can't understand how one would scratch easier than the other, but maybe I'm the dummy here. It's fairly difficult to scratch a glass tank...just my experience.


Fiji Cube is another to look at.


I tend to agree with you on the skimmer. But it totally depends on your philosophies on stocking, feeding, rock, sand, scrubbers, water changes, etc. It is nice to have one in case you need to remove something, or carbon dose, or have extra aeration. I have mine unplugged currently, but I do like to have one.

Thanks so much!

 

[ReefEco]

I got a quote from custom aquariums, they seem responsive and the tank price isn't bad. I don't like their solution to the external overflow too much and their stand prices were crack pipe high. I know the stand from Glass Cages is pretty basic, but I am painting it white anyway, it can be basic. I like that there is basically ZERO hardware on the glass cages stands to corrode, because it ALWAYS corrodes.

Yeah, their prices aren't bad for the tanks themselves, but yes - they build their "lifetime" warranty costs into their stand pricing, as you have to buy their stand to get the warranty. But, if you read the fine print of the warranty, you have to crate and ship the tank back to them on your dime to get any warranty coverage, and if the tank gets damaged enroute, you are out of luck. Given how difficult they were to deal with in trying to get damaged tanks replaced, good luck trying to enact coverage on their warranty. It could be $800-$1,000 just to crate and ship a 6 foot tank back to them. I've heard their overflows are loud too...
I just got my 5 AGE tanks yesterday - they are beautiful, and built like tanks (I live in earthquake country...)