Large Tank Manufacturers

Aciambronevt · Feb 11, 2019

I am starting the process of getting bids for our next tank.

We moved last year and I sold our 225 made by DSA.

Dimensions of the new tank will either be 98x30x30 or 120x30x30.

I am planning on getting bids from:
- Reefsavvy
- Miracles
- Coast to Coast
- Crystal Dynamics
- AGE
- Plant Aquariums

I am looking to see if anyone would recommend any manufactors not listed or have good/bad reviews for manufacturers listed above.

Mical · Feb 11, 2019

Have you checked these out - https://www.fishtanksdirect.com/400-gallon-fish-tanks.aspx

User1 · Feb 11, 2019

Not sure of your location but I would at least call concept aquariums in Calgary. I had them build a 210 gallon for me and the price was perfect. Also had them make a steel stand. Shipping wasn't too bad either to California. No complaints, good quality, friendly, and it arrived in once piece. If you are putting out bids it doesn't hurt. Then just search the interwebz to see what others have had from the sources and enjoy.

BZOFIQ · Feb 11, 2019

Lookup @Tankme USA

See his gallery on the web, fall in love instantly.

gtrider · Feb 11, 2019

I've got a 65g C2C starphire tank. the tank is stunning. they do very nice work.

BZOFIQ · Feb 11, 2019

gtrider said:
I've got a 65g C2C starphire tank. the tank is stunning. they do very nice work.

There is no warranty if the stand is sourced elsewhere and the steel tube stand was VERY expensive vs. virtually any other option I've looked at.

HB Fisheye · Feb 11, 2019

I bought my tank from Crystal Dynamics. Love it. Good people.
If I'm not mistaken I think AGE uses Crystal Dynamics.

Dragon52 · Feb 11, 2019

Mical said:
Have you checked these out - https://www.fishtanksdirect.com/400-gallon-fish-tanks.aspx

I bought a tank from them & never again. After getting the tank They never returned Emails or Calls

Aciambronevt · Feb 11, 2019

HB Fisheye said:
I bought my tank from Crystal Dynamics. Love it. Good people.
If I'm not mistaken I think AGE uses Crystal Dynamics.

This is interesting if it is true, I will have to do some digging. Why deal with a middle man and pay an increase premium.

saf1 said:
Not sure of your location but I would at least call concept aquariums in Calgary. I had them build a 210 gallon for me and the price was perfect. Also had them make a steel stand. Shipping wasn't too bad either to California. No complaints, good quality, friendly, and it arrived in once piece. If you are putting out bids it doesn't hurt. Then just search the interwebz to see what others have had from the sources and enjoy.

I guess location is important information - We are in Virginia.

BZOFIQ said:
Lookup @Tankme USA

See his gallery on the web, fall in love instantly.

Dragon52 said:
I bought a tank from them & never again. After getting the tank They never returned Emails or Calls

I am in the insurance field, so naturally overly stress about everything. Having 450+ gallons of saltwater in my family room. For my sanity, I need a manufacturer that will manufacture a tank that is as leak / fail proof as possible and if the worst case happens, will answer the phone if it happens.

BZOFIQ · Feb 12, 2019

Aciambronevt said:
I am in the insurance field, so naturally overly stress about everything. Having 450+ gallons of saltwater in my family room. For my sanity, I need a manufacturer that will manufacture a tank that is as leak / fail proof as possible and if the worst case happens, will answer the phone if it happens.

It is my understanding that @Tankme USA provides superb product. The comment by Dragon52 relates to a tank built by FishTanksDirect.

Tankme USA · Feb 12, 2019

BZOFIQ said:
It is my understanding that @Tankme USA provides superb product. The comment by Dragon52 relates to a tank built by FishTanksDirect.

Good morning everyone and thanks for compliments and concerns... This is Gaston Bianchi speaking.
Besides having a policy coverage for 2mill. Our goal is to never have to receive that phone call...
When comes to how, what thickness and bracing is required for certain sizes we have set some rules different than some mass production companies.
Such as 1.25” or 1.5” thick floating bottom 3/4” glass body, corners seams reinforcing braces, double euro braces and sometimes even adding an aluminum powder coated top and bottom frame will be required.
Obviously in case of a disaster a specialist will be assigned to the case to determinate the cause.
We never had any issues but I personally have seen some Aquariums from others manufacturers coming to and end, and sadly I like to say that 90% of the time was because a poorly built stand,off level and one time also seen an overweight load on the canopy such as a chiller and 50 gallons ATO.

Dragon52 · Feb 12, 2019

BZOFIQ said:
It is my understanding that @Tankme USA provides superb product. The comment by Dragon52 relates to a tank built by FishTanksDirect.

That is Correct

Aciambronevt · Feb 12, 2019

Tankme USA said:
Good morning everyone and thanks for compliments and concerns... This is Gaston Bianchi speaking.
Besides having a policy coverage for 2mill. Our goal is to never have to receive that phone call...
When comes to how, what thickness and bracing is required for certain sizes we have set some rules different than some mass production companies.
Such as 1.25” or 1.5” thick floating bottom 3/4” glass body, corners seams reinforcing braces, double euro braces and sometimes even adding an aluminum powder coated top and bottom frame will be required.
Obviously in case of a disaster a specialist will be assigned to the case to determinate the cause.
We never had any issues but I personally have seen some Aquariums from others manufacturers coming to and end, and sadly I like to say that 90% of the time was because a poorly built stand,off level and one time also seen an overweight load on the canopy such as a chiller and 50 gallons ATO.

Gaston, Thank you for personally responding. I have sent you a PM. Your tanks are absolutely beautiful. As you stated, majority of the time a tank failure is related to the stand or a unsupported floor and not the tank itself.

Silver14SS · Feb 12, 2019

I have not a single complaint about my TankMeUSA tank and stand, I'm absolutely thrilled with it. It was an excellent experience beginning to end.

lolgranny · Feb 12, 2019

Have a 400g AGE. Love it.

Aciambronevt · Feb 13, 2019

lolgranny said:
Have a 400g AGE. Love it.

Love the tank! What are the dimensions? Did you have a hard time getting hold of AGE?

lolgranny · Feb 13, 2019

Aciambronevt said:
Love the tank! What are the dimensions? Did you have a hard time getting hold of AGE?

I can get you the info of my contact I used through the fish gallery. I didn’t have any issue, customer service was great. The tank arrived in a massive crate. Thing weighs a little over 1000lbs empty so that was a total headache to get inside. Luckily I have some gym buddies who look like silverbacks LOL!

The tanks 8’x30”x30” if and when I do it again I will definitely go 10’ x 36”+x 28” tall. I’m 6’5” and I cannot reach the back bottom. The bottom itself it a pain and I’ve got long arms. Just keep that in mind. Lmk if you have any other questions!

Greybeard · Feb 13, 2019

Two years ago, I did an extensive search for a custom glass 140g (60" x 30" x 18") system. Talked to a dozen manufacturers, at least. Based on quality and price, I ended up with the following two on my final list:

Planet Aquariums
CustomAquariums.com

CA was slightly cheaper, and had the H2Overflows that I wanted, but the glass they wanted to use was slightly thinner.
PA was my final choice. Dealing with PA can be a pain. You've gotta have an aquarium shop between you and them. If it hadn't been that I had a friend that owned an aquarium shop, I'd have probably gone with CA.

Two years later, I'm VERY satisfied with my choice. My custom, rimless tank looks every bit as good as those from manufacturers costing multiple times what I paid. The edge bevel and polish is excellent. Silicone quality is virtually perfect. Holes were drilled EXACTLY where I wanted them (I sent them a CAD layout). I did buy H2Overflows and Siphon Stopper returns from CA. The overflows are good, I like and recommend them. The returns? not so much. I had to alter them significantly to get them to work, and honestly, could have done a DIY return using some black PVC that would have been better.

ssdawood · Feb 13, 2019

Here is my C2C with their stand
72x24x36

Aciambronevt · Feb 13, 2019

ssdawood said:
Here is my C2C with their stand
72x24x36

I am going to show my wife this picture! Just last night she stated she didn't want the aquarium to be the first thing people saw when they walked into our house.