Miracles or Reef Savvy?

JoshH · Oct 31, 2017

What's your pick, looking to eventually upgrade in a year or two and would like to hear from everyone what there choice would be? Budget really not an issue but I do live in Canada so not having to pay border fees on a $5000+ tank would be nice but not a deal breaker by any means. Also for those that have gone with a miracles aquarium, did you go all out with starfire? If so how has it held up? Any and all input is greatly appreciated... I do like the look of both

sbash · Oct 31, 2017

Go with Miracles; especially if you are in Canada. My experience with them was not the best, it is detailed in my build thread; however, I have learned I am the exception. My tanks is wonderful, do not get me wrong, they just made some mistakes... Anyway, I was at a coral dealer in the GTA and I immediately could tell his tanks were Miracles, and they were fantastic.

I did not go with starfire, because my build is a through wall, but if I only had one large viewing face I would have done it. I essentially would have doubled the price, and I have never seen a starfire tank (that I know of), so did not know if it would have been worth it. That said, if I have seen a starfire before, then I did not notice the difference, lol.

JoshH · Oct 31, 2017

Fantastic feedback especially if you didn't necessary have a good experience with them first hand. I'll have to read into your thread now. It's definitely hard to make a decision without seeing them first hand, I might stop into there shop when I fly back to Ontario this winter

hart24601 · Oct 31, 2017

I have a 120 rimlesss external overflow. All 3/4” starfire.

Also have 180 eurobraced with external overflow 1/2” starfire.

Both tanks from miracles. The acrylic insert in the 180 was cut too tight and the overflow got a small leak. I sent the owner Derek an email with video. No glass people here in central Iowa so he flew down here and fixed it! No fuss, no blaming stand or anything. Flew in, worked all day, stayed at hotel near airport and out next morning. No cost to me.

He was talking about some of their crazy projects like taking half a house apart and putting in tank with a crane and still came to fix a 180g tank in Iowa with no fuss.

Accidents happen. Sucks the insert was too tight but what really counts is how a place stands by their work.

Other than that both tanks are fantastic. Best tanks and service for any price hands down.

sbash · Oct 31, 2017

JoshH said:
Fantastic feedback especially if you didn't necessary have a good experience with them first hand. I'll have to read into your thread now. It's definitely hard to make a decision without seeing them first hand, I might stop into there shop when I fly back to Ontario this winter

Sorry, I do not see my experience with them in my build thread, but found it here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/need-some-insight-on-custom-tank.311993/#post-3841214

Keydiver · Oct 31, 2017

I have 75 miracles all starfire panes. I purchased it second hand from someone who had it running for 3 years. I have had it set up for about a year and a half with no issues whatsoever. The craftmanship is superb, and while I've never owned a reef savvy, I would say that miracles is a very safe bet.

JoshH · Oct 31, 2017

hart24601 said:
I have a 120 rimlesss external overflow. All 3/4” starfire.

Also have 180 eurobraced with external overflow 1/2” starfire.

Both tanks from miracles. The acrylic insert in the 180 was cut too tight and the overflow got a small leak. I sent the owner Derek an email with video. No glass people here in central Iowa so he flew down here and fixed it! No fuss, no blaming stand or anything. Flew in, worked all day, stayed at hotel near airport and out next morning. No cost to me.

He was talking about some of their crazy projects like taking half a house apart and putting in tank with a crane and still came to fix a 180g tank in Iowa with no fuss.

Accidents happen. Sucks the insert was too tight but what really counts is how a place stands by their work.

Other than that both tanks are fantastic. Best tanks and service for any price hands down.

Keydiver said:
I have 75 miracles all starfire panes. I purchased it second hand from someone who had it running for 3 years. I have had it set up for about a year and a half with no issues whatsoever. The craftmanship is superb, and while I've never owned a reef savvy, I would say that miracles is a very safe bet.

In both of your experiences was the starfire worth the extra money? Have you had any scratching issues?

JoshH · Oct 31, 2017

sbash said:
Sorry, I do not see my experience with them in my build thread, but found it here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/need-some-insight-on-custom-tank.311993/#post-3841214

Well either way I'll be reading your build thread

hart24601 · Oct 31, 2017

I can’t say it if was worth it or not since don’t have any other custom tanks without it. 3/4” is pretty think though so I would think there should be some differences.

I am pretty careful in general to not stretch tanks so no issues. Here is the euro on my 180, no plastic just nice thick glass and black silicon. Even the eurobrace seem to be starfire. The glass isn’t clean in the pic!

Fin · Oct 31, 2017

I would venture to say that the only negative comments you will find out there about Reef Savvy is turnaround time. It is a small company that turns out superior work. I have a Reef Savvy 125 that I am in the (slow) process of setting up. The craftsmanship is excellent. Works of art in glass, really. I enjoy just looking at it empty right now.

I believe you would also find dealing with Felix a pleasure. You are two years out on needing the tank, so turnaround time would not be an issue for you. Shipping and border fees may be. Check out their Facebook page. Felix posts lots of pics of tanks that are finished and about to be shipped. https://www.facebook.com/ReefSavvy/

ws6kid · Oct 31, 2017

The sealant work and prestige come with waiting for a Reef Savvy tank. I basically decided that some air bubbles in the sealant and a shorter lead time was worth saving $6000 on my 210g. My miracles tank has been great. I have starphire on the front pane. Honestly, I can’t tell a huge difference looking at it but photos through the glass seem to be much better. Hard to say. Both are great tanks imo, but it really comes down to what is important to you.

JoshH · Nov 1, 2017

Thanks for all your feedback guys, would still love to hear from others as well. I had originally thought of going reef savvy, sent a quote in 2 week's ago and have yet to hear anything back from them, not that I'm rushed or anything. Might try miracle's and see what they come up with, your euro bracing does look like starfire as well which is nice to know they will do it throughout the build. And for those that have bought a reef savvy, do you still feel it would be worth it if it cost 40% more than what you paid? Which is roughly what I'll be looking at given the exchange rate which doesn't look like it will improve over the next couple years, along with border fees and shipping.

hart24601 · Nov 1, 2017

I wouldn't overlook customer service part I talked about. I already posted about my experiences, but with any company if something does go wrong, how will they handle it and make it right and how long will it take. I didn't even get asked how old the tank was or what stand I had it on. It might be a 1 in 100 or 1000 chance, but it's always there.

lacrosseboss18 · Nov 1, 2017

See if anyone in your area has one that you can check out. I've been lucky enough to see both tanks in person and don't think you can go wrong with either.

I looked into both companies and some others and for the price I would go with miracle. I don't pay too much attention to the silicone so the bubbles wouldn't bother me. Spend too much time admiring what's inside the tank

If you search through some of the older threads I know rev and Adam at battle corals commented on them.

DHill6 · Nov 1, 2017

I had a rimless, starfire on three sides, cube and stand built by Miracles. The stand arrived damaged, it had gotten wet from a snowstorm in Canada. The bottom of the stand was damaged, it had been wet in several areas. Their fix, they wanted me to chase a can of paint that isn’t carried over here from what it contains. They eventually sent me a can and it didn’t match. The second problem is the hardware on doors completely rusted out. I went around with them on this issue, they told me to cut a hole in the stand to vent out the humidity. Really...? I ended up tracking down hinges from a hardware company that carried stainless steel parts for boats , $80 later solved that problem. The star fire glass is nice, thick and didn’t scratch, but I was careful with it. I since sold it and moved on to a Reefer 170 which I am happy with. Smaller and easy to manage.

GillsGoneWild · Nov 2, 2017

Let me throw in another option to consider: TankMe USA. Gaston does amazing work and his Zero Overflow is simply gorgeous. He is on the short list of builders we’re considering for the upcoming build.
https://tankmeusa.com/

Jamcat · Nov 2, 2017

I’m in Canada as well...about an hour away from Miracles. After speaking with them and then with Concept Aquariums, I decided on the Concept tank. A 180g peninsula, starphire on three sides, and they also built my sump and ATO/dosing unit. Having it delivered from Calgary still cost me over a third less than what Miracles quoted. Incredibly happy with their work and customer service. I recommend them highly.

JoshH · Nov 2, 2017

Jamcat said:
I’m in Canada as well...about an hour away from Miracles. After speaking with them and then with Concept Aquariums, I decided on the Concept tank. A 180g peninsula, starphire on three sides, and they also built my sump and ATO/dosing unit. Having it delivered from Calgary still cost me over a third less than what Miracles quoted. Incredibly happy with their work and customer service. I recommend them highly.

I've been in Concepts shop, very busy place, and yes there customer service was excellent (They drilled my current tank with me just showing up with it and asking, no appointment or anything). I might have to look into them as well, free shipping in my truck lol

pizzaguy · Nov 2, 2017

Ive had both. And currently have a miracles all starphire 270 gallon. 3/4" glass. Both incredible tanks and probably 2 of the best on the market but hands down reef saavy wins. There about as close to perfection as its ever gonna get. And i had there stand also which was just as nice.

Jamcat · Nov 2, 2017

JoshH said:
I've been in Concepts shop, very busy place, and yes there customer service was excellent (They drilled my current tank with me just showing up with it and asking, no appointment or anything). I might have to look into them as well, free shipping in my truck lol

I was really pleased with the workmanship. I was pretty detailed about what we wanted and everything was amazing. I still can’t believe the price difference between the two places.