Time to upgrade from a 300DD

[StephenGlidden]

I am currently running a MarineLand 300DD, however think it’s time for us to upgrade to a custom tank.

I’ve got pricing from Miracles aquariums and AGE on a custom 96”w x 28”d x 30” T
As well as a custom 60”w x 24”d x 20” t sump.

The whole system should be around 400-420 gallons if I’m not mistaking.

I’m looking for opinions on which tank would be a better choice? Miracles has been great to deal with but I like the lighter weight of the AGE tank.
I’m currently working to make sure my floor can handle the extra weight.

I will upload pictures of my current setup later.

Thanks!

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

Both make great tanks.

Are you sure there is a true weight difference? I don’t think the 1” PVC bottom of the AGE weighs much less than glass.

If you’re going custom, consider flipping your width and height. Reaching down 30” is a challenge for most people, and even making a tweak to 28 or 29 inches of height can add a lot of utility without taking away any of the wow effect. Add that to the width instead, which is always valuable for aqua scaping.

Also, consider a higher tank stand height than you may have had with a store-bought tank. 38-42 inches puts the display higher making people bend down less, and the overall effect is that it appears bigger. Plus, you’ll have more room in the sump area.

Just my two cents.

 

[StephenGlidden]

I built the stand that my 300dd is on I think it’s about 38” to the base of the tank, I had a 180 with a store bought stand, never again will I struggle underneath a 24” stand haha.

This tank is going in a corner of the living room where there’s a wall I’m trying to match to the depth of the tank if that makes sense. I think I can fit a 30” tank and still do what I want.

I think the tank I have now is like 26” deep. I just want it to be a little bit deeper then that to build the rock structures up. 30” may be pushing arms reach though, good point.

 

[PANONHAS]

I previously owned a Miracles Aquarium and it was built flawlessly. I wound up selling it due to the center overflows but I actually regret it now. Both the tank and stand were really well built. Don’t mind the paper fish, that was my son filling up the tank with his selection, lol.

 

[StephenGlidden]

I previously owned a Miracles Aquarium and it was built flawlessly. I wound up selling it due to the center overflows but I actually regret it now. Both the tank and stand were really well built. Don’t mind the paper fish, that was my son filling up the tank with his selection, lol.

Nice looking tank, what size was it?
I talked with Derek he kind of steered me towards the ghost overflows instead of the bottom holes.

 

[PANONHAS]

It was 72” x 34 x 22 or 24i don’t recall exactly. I purchased from the original owner. She had it as a centerpiece of the house so that is why the center overflows. The numerous holes on the bottom were for closed loops. The tank was about 1” Starfire all sides. Derek is a great guy to deal with. I have contacted him numerous times.

 

[StephenGlidden]

So I just stumbled across another builder being customaquariums.com and the tanks they build look like amazing quality. Anyone had any luck with them? Problems?
I also got a price from coast to coast and they were actually very reasonable, more then miracles or AGE but not by much.

 

[ReefLifeTexas]

I just had a 280-300 gal tank made by Jason Gregory out of Washington state, he was the only builder that I could find that would build what I want and still give me a 10 year warranty, the tank I wanted was 72x36x25 just a little shorter than a 300dd I didn’t want any center bracing and I still wanted acrylic, he was able to do a beautiful euro style bracing around the tank and build the overflows into the brace with covers and all, it wasn’t a massive price tag either. As a mater of fact It was in the same ball park as all the other companies I contacted, but no one else would offer a 10 year warranty or euro bracing. The company is called Clear Fabrications Inc. here are some pics:

transferred my livestock over from my previous tank about a month ago, yes I now I need to add some more rock lol

 

[StephenGlidden]

I just had a 280-300 gal tank made by Jason Gregory out of Washington state, he was the only builder that I could find that would build what I want and still give me a 10 year warranty, the tank I wanted was 72x36x25 just a little shorter than a 300dd I didn’t want any center bracing and I still wanted acrylic, he was able to do a beautiful euro style bracing around the tank and build the overflows into the brace with covers and all, it wasn’t a massive price tag either. As a mater of fact It was in the same ball park as all the other companies I contacted, but no one else would offer a 10 year warranty or euro bracing. The company is called Clear Fabrications Inc. here are some pics:

transferred my livestock over from my previous tank about a month ago, yes I now I need to add some more rock lol

that's a nice looking tank and sump setup, the stand looks identical to the ones that i build.
My big problem is price, c2c, miracles and AGE are all in the $5,000-$6,000 range and it appears that CustomAquariums.com area going to be around the $3,500 range. Is that tank you have made from acrylic? i haven't heard a lot of good things about acrylic.

No judgement on the rock, i went 6 months with only like 150 pounds in my 300 lol​

 

[User1]

Acrylic has pros and cons just like anything else. Lighter with regards to weight and brighter with regards to clarity just to name two. However, there is always a risk to scratching it if you are not careful or teach young children how to view it without moving magnets, etc. Main thing is to size and order it for what you have in mind be it glass or acrylic. You will be investing more money to have something you want made with quality so it is more or less a one shot deal. Review one final time (sort of like woodworkers measure twice cut once tip) before submitting your initial payment

 

[PANONHAS]

I would look for reviews on all the Manufacturers you have asked for quotes. I personally can attest for the built quality of the tanks and stands on the Miracles. I did read some not so good reviews on CTC. Just make sure you do your research and make the decision based on that and the customer service end of it also. I would also recommend you reaching out to Crystal Dynamics Aquariums. I am currently having a custom tank built by them. I did as much research as I could. Read reviews and then contacted them. I went back and forth via email with Zoya and she was extremely helpful and very prompt in responding also. In the end that was a major factor in my decision as well as the price point.

 

[StephenGlidden]

So I have talked around with a couple people and I am really interested in the Customaquariums.com tanks (awful name to describe). I really like their h2overflow design.
I am waiting on a price back from them and I did also contact crystal dynamics.
My other problem is I really need to update my skimmer for this new tank as my current one is overworked on the tank I have now.
Thank you everyone

 

[StephenGlidden]

As I also said here are some pictures of my current tank taken by an iPhone X

 

[PANONHAS]

I purchased an H2o overflow from them and definetly was not impressed with the quality or the noise that it made, even though they claim it’s pretty silent. The top portion of the overflow is pretty flimsy plastic in my opinion. Not sure if other people have the same experience as me. As far as the glass quality I have not heard any bad things. I looked through their website and also didn’t think much of the whole sump system the way it’s setup with all the interconnection s.

 

[StephenGlidden]

I purchased an H2o overflow from them and definetly was not impressed with the quality or the noise that it made, even though they claim it’s pretty silent. The top portion of the overflow is pretty flimsy plastic in my opinion. Not sure if other people have the same experience as me. As far as the glass quality I have not heard any bad things. I looked through their website and also didn’t think much of the whole sump system the way it’s setup with all the interconnection s.

Well that's not good lol, I thought that they looked really sleek and i haven't read any bad things about them, did you end up using them or not?
I'm not a huge fan of the sump set up either.

 

[PANONHAS]

I am using it but without the actual surface skimmer portion and I drilled a whole in it and stuck a 1/4 tube to keep it quieter. I am using it on an acrylic aquarium that I purchased from an LFS that has the drains and return on the bottom of the tank vs the rear.

 

[PANONHAS]

As you can see in the second picture the teeth bend very easily and for me I think they are very close together. Just my no expert opinion though.

 

[StephenGlidden]

Here’s an update*

I think I have settled to go with customaquariums.com, their price is awesome.
Ended up with a 96”w x 30”d x 28”tall, either 4 h2overflows or 2 2400gph stealthboxes, and 3 or 4 syphon stopper return lines.

Also either going to do a custom 48”x24”x 18” tall sump or the seamless sump system with a little bit more research into them, they make me nervous with how “different” they are

 

[PANONHAS]

Looking forward to following your build. Good luck. The dimensions are awesome.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

Check out concept aquariums out of Calgary Alberta Canada, I picked up my 73x36x25 a few days ago. Euro bracing, coast to coast over flow and starfire on 3 sides. Cost $3000 Canadian with stand and sump.