old school tanks

[rtague]

Does anyone still prefer the old school tanks,aqueon,marineland etc, with the black rim and nice pine stands as opposed to your red sea,waterbox,sca systems?, outside of the fact that they cost way less(ok you get your sump included) but simply just on looks, not a big fan of the "modern" look myself.it seems people need to have the latest thing.

 

[dbl]

It's obviously a personal preference for sure. I like the look of the "modern" tanks mentioned but I actually have a standard, blacked framed 120g. However, the way I built my stand and canopy, you can't see the black frame. So I ended up with the clean look I wanted without breaking the bank on the glass. As like most things in this hobby, there's more than one way to skin a catfish.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I love the modern aquariums like Red Sea but just can’t justify the price.. my current build is a aqueon 40 breeder on simple steel stand.

 

[miPapareef]

I really like the modern looking stand and a rimless tank. I ended up getting the 75 gallon marineland tank just to save money and I want to build the system myself. Also I told myself the 75 will make a great sump on the dream tank in the future.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Huge quality difference between the two types of tanks. The framed tanks are thinner, cheaper green glass, with ugly silicone seams that look like a preschooler put them together as a hurry up project. They also have a tail light warranty and often leak right out of the store during the "dollar a gallon sale". But they are cheap...did I mention they are only what they sell for during the "dollar" sale that is right "cheap". Great for a fish room or breeding room but not high on my list for a long term display.

The other tanks are carefully assembled with no messy silicon smeared all over the corners and are made of thicker low iron glass that is clearer, has polished and mitered edges, and no bubbles in the seams. The effect is that of a cube of water without any container in many lighting situations. More like art work that preschool work in execution. Warranties are generally better and the products draws admiring glances even when empty. Yes I do prefer quality assembly and workmanship. However they are not cheap. You often get what you pay for.

By the way I don't make them or currently sell them but I do by them over the local pet super store throw away aquariums.

I am twisted though as I did manufacture acrylic tanks for over 20 years and love the clean, clear, and strong product acrylic produced. However they do scratch...but acrylic can be polished much easier than glass.

To each his own.

 

[rtague]

Lol, I've nothing to say.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Lol, I've nothing to say.

I apparently said too much. Lol.

 

[jda]

My general thought is that if you are looking at the tank trim, then you might be missing the point and should be focusing on the corals. There seems to be a new phenonomen of "the build" being more important to some folks than the tank a year later.

My new tank just has a powder coated aluminum trim on a welded steel stand with some wood veneer.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

I LOVE the way the RedSea setups look. I just wish I had the money to afford one.

 

[ca1ore]

Meh, I think the old brand tanks are fine. Not entirely sure that there really are ‘quality’ differences. Maybe the glass is thicker on the Red Sea tanks, and if so that’s fine; but the fit and finish on my recent marineland tanks were just fine. I alwsys make my own cabinets/stands, so no opinion there one way or the other.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

To me, with a "regular" tank, the beauty lies solely inside the tank. With the RedSea tanks (and others like that), it's the inside AND outside that is part of the beauty.

 

[rtague]

My general thought is that if you are looking at the tank trim, then you might be missing the point and should be focusing on the corals. There seems to be a new phenonomen of "the build" being more important to some folks than the tank a year later.

My new tank just has a powder coated aluminum trim on a welded steel stand with some wood veneer.

No,not missing the point or staring at the trim,simply wondering with all the "modern" looking set ups if some people still preferred the old school tanks, that's all.

 

[MIKE NY]

How old are we talking.....I still have an Odell all tempered and obviously built to last. LOL. My DT is acrylic so can’t really comment, but if I get a new one it will be a modern design. IMO better looking and more options for overflows etc.....