MODE Aquariums
- Thread starter Cwentz758
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lilchris_357
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2016
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Go on you tube, look up eat,sleep reef. He has a build with a mode aquarium. Also inappropriate reefer is doing a build.
Andrew9909
Active Member
Last year I purchased a 45gal CadLights frag system. However the sticker on the aquarium was MODE. Not sure if the two companies are affiliated in any way but regardless the tank made very well. The quality and workmanship were excellent. Only complaint I had was that they used uPVC ( better but less obtainable) plumbing which is sized different then regular PVC.
Mr.Z
Active Member
Any updates on your research into MODE aquariums? I haven't found much and am considering the 50G myself.
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Cwentz758
Do you even Reef bro?
Just been following some people on YouTube. They have the 135g though. I haven’t found anything glaringly bad about them. I personally like the way the have the overflows made into the tank and that they give you the plumbing you need. My only current concern is the euro brace on the 135g, I don’t want to upgrade my lights again with something that hangs from the ceiling. I’ve reached out to see if they have and customized options and I have some ideas to reach out to someone with a 3D printer to make something to mount my “rimless tank” mounts to.
Mr.Z
Active Member
My main concern is the little bit I've found about them is their terrible customer service. Although that mostly relates to CAD Lights, which they are connected to, but separate from somehow.
Hard to stay away from them though because they offer a few unique things that other manufacturers don't provide. I love the metal stands with fully removable sides as well as the external overflow.
I have a 100g but have not set it up completely yet. I am doing custom plumbing and haven’t found the time to plumb it yet. I can say that they look really nice in person, the stand is nice from the standpoint that the side panels come off but feels a little light in person but I’m not worried about it enough to go with something else. I will say the one thing I’ve run into is that plumbing is all in metric so make sure you keep that in mind while plumbing. The sump seems pretty nice, glass and sturdy but bare bones (which is fine for me). If you live in the LA area, Tongs had a 100g on display in Fountain Valley. That being said I think it was an early one or something as mine looks nicer in all reality, theirs has some weirdness with the black back and had some stray silicon from what an employee told me. As far as customer service it so far seems meh, I have dealt mostly with tong which was amazing as he took care of anything I needed but when I called to ask a question to mode directly they didn’t seem super enthusiastic to help. I may have had a strange question (apparently they changed sumps for the 100g between when they started and supplied one to tongs and when they delivered mine) so that may have contributed to the confusion.
Mr.Z
Active Member
Thank you for your insight! That is helpful to know that they have at least responded to your questions, albeit unenthusiastically. Some reviews I saw indicated that they just could not get in touch with MODE. I'm planning on keeping stock sump and plumbing, but want to make sure there is a company I can go to if there are any major warranty issues.
Yeah I called them up and got an actual person on the line. I can’t comment on ordering directly through them as I bought mine from Tongs and he personally talked to Mode and they had a few deliveries in our area (San Diego about 90ish min South of both Mode and Tongs) a few days later and were able to hand deliver it. The guy who delivered it was very enthusiastic and seemed proud of the product and was excited to tell me about all the features. If you do end up going with them, make sure to get all the plumbing pieces in the right spots before glueing. They all come pre cut but with no labeling or instructions. There is another user on here who I think flipped 2 pieces and had an issue with their standpipe that they had to trim it.
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Cwentz758
Do you even Reef bro?
I think Mode is owned by the same people as CAD but is run by a completely different set of people. Someone will always have a bad experience so I will give them the benefit of doubt. I just love the tank dimensions.
I know this is a month late but I got an Artisan Cadlights aquarium 1 year go that showed up in Mode aquariums packaging. I like it quite a lot. The stand was well painted and one small area of damage was remedied quickly with them mailing me a small amount of the same paint to cover up the small defect. I am tempted to buy from them again.
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Cwentz758
Do you even Reef bro?
I’ve recently changed my mind and am going with a full custom lagoon style tank.
Also had 0 responses from mode about questions i asked here and emailed directly to them, so I’ve since moved on.
Also had 0 responses from mode about questions i asked here and emailed directly to them, so I’ve since moved on.
Mr.Z
Active Member
Which custom manufacturer are you going with?
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Cwentz758
Do you even Reef bro?
Glass Cages, joe at the company was more than flexible with my wants and is even entertaining my smoked glass door/insert idea for the cabinet. Also the pricing is great for a custom tank,stand, and sump.
haven’t ordered yet, just waiting out to see if I’m staying in my current home or moving before pulling the trigger.
Joe Glass Cages
Passionate Glass Cages’s Team Member
Thanks @Cwentz758. Looking forward to supporting you on your journey. Pricing, lets help everyone get into this hobby without getting a second mortgage. So much fun. We love building!
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Fieg19
New Member
That is the customer service we need. Never take a man, and business that treats customers like he does for granted.Thanks @Cwentz758. Looking forward to supporting you on your journey. Pricing, lets help everyone get into this hobby without getting a second mortgage. So much fun. We love building!
