Marineland 220g versus custom?

Just as example, when I bought my ML265 in late 2013 I paid around $1,500 for just the tank. Probably could have gotten it a couple of hundred cheaper if I had looked around, but I wanted to support my friends LFS. At the time, I also solicited a few custom quotes for tanks of comparable (though not exactly the same) dimensions. Glasscages was the least expensive at nominally $2K all in, the others were north of that, some significantly so. I just figured that there was nothing wrong with the ML tank so that’s the route I took. With my current tank, 96*36*30, custom was the only option.
 
Just as example, when I bought my ML265 in late 2013 I paid around $1,500 for just the tank. Probably could have gotten it a couple of hundred cheaper if I had looked around, but I wanted to support my friends LFS. At the time, I also solicited a few custom quotes for tanks of comparable (though not exactly the same) dimensions. Glasscages was the least expensive at nominally $2K all in, the others were north of that, some significantly so. I just figured that there was nothing wrong with the ML tank so that’s the route I took. With my current tank, 96*36*30, custom was the only option.

When I was planning my current tank, I didn't want anything bigger than a 125 because of weight in my living room. It's gotten full of coral now and out of space, but at the time I was looking at customs and was blown away at prices. The 125 I have is a marineland reef ready and was only $350! Couldn't pass that up!
 
You can check out the company glass cages. They are in Tennessee I believe, and will deliver. This company is the most affordable that I could find for custom tanks. They have many different sizes available, and can customize to almost any size. Low iron options are available, and custom or stock stands as well as canopies. I was very close to purchasing from them but found a good deal on a marineland tank. It is a 150g, 72x18x27. I have 2 Marineland tanks that I am happy with. I like the black silicone they use and they have really clean silicone lines compared to some other major brands.
 
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Check out waterbox they make a 220. It’s 4,700 with lights
 
Go custom if affordable. I love Marineland BUT ,... Too many tank fails I have seen or heard of over the last 15 months or so. Not sure what has happened with them and tanks but not good to see these failures suddenly
 
Here we go, bashing Marineland. Not going to get into that as it has been discussed in other threads.

I think the plugs in the holes was a great idea. Wished I knew about that 10 years ago:) and the corner overflow are generic but can be customized as you see.

I have had my 180 for 10 years. Never doubted its quality at any point. Before that a Marineland 90, before that a Marineland 55. I have had them for a long time, will not say how long, but my tank now is in use 10 years, so..

I do agree, I cannot not say same for the dd tanks.
 
I had 2 Marineland stock tanks... A 150 and 300DD. Both failed and cost thousands in damage to my home which took 3 years to settle in court.
My advice... GO custom.

Try TankMeUSA. The owner Gaston built me a custom 350 that I absolutely love and it cost less than the Marineland 300DD setup I had.
 
Have had 2 marineland 300 deep dimension fail in less than 3 years and like someone else stated this time they are low balling settlement saying they can’t rule out other thing that led to leak.Stay away from marineland
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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