Upgrade Questions.

[mckinleyw]

So im looking at upgrading my 36x18x18 aquarium and i looking at the 4 ft 120 gallon tanks. Ive found a couple on amazon. My first question will be what brand of aquarium? Also wanting to ask about the reef ready model or nondrilled and adding a ghost overflow? I just dont like the one down and one up on most predrilled tanks i love the bean animal design but ive never used it.

Im looking for your opinions please.

 

[Oscar47f]

I would personally go with the ghost overflow as opposed to a traditional overflow.. reason being a ghost overflow is compact and allows for more room to aquascape.. second in my experience my overflow collects a lot of detritus and its fairly difficult to clean out.. you won't have that problem with the ghost and its fairly easy to clean in comparison.. the bean animal overflow is also superior to the standard because it has two emergency over flows just in case.. whereas mine does not because it was drilled with two holes instead of 3

 

[mckinleyw]

Here is a like to the tanks I have found.

120 predrilled "AQUARIUM MASTERS"

120 predrilled "PERFECTO"

Here is one nondrilled

"SEAPORA"

 

[Mandrew]

If I were going to do it all again I would drill my tank myself and use an overflow kit from glassholes. I've done it in the past and I loved the results. Quiet overflow, sleek design, plus doing it yourself is more exciting and rewarding. And then you don't have a big ugly tower in your tank hogging up room.

 

[Denisk]

If you want an aquarium that was built well and affordable, I would go with sc aquariums. Great customer service as well.

Unless you want to go with something high end, I would go with reef savvy.

 

[mckinleyw]

I would personally go with the ghost overflow as opposed to a traditional overflow.. reason being a ghost overflow is compact and allows for more room to aquascape.. second in my experience my overflow collects a lot of detritus and its fairly difficult to clean out.. you won't have that problem with the ghost and its fairly easy to clean in comparison.. the bean animal overflow is also superior to the standard because it has two emergency over flows just in case.. whereas mine does not because it was drilled with two holes instead of 3

How hard is it to drill? I've never drilled glass. I have watched videos on it just not confident enough to attempt and break a large aquarium.

 

[BlueCursor]

Reef ready vs drilling and adding your own overflow? This makes me wonder how ready and prepared you are to do your own drilling, plumbing etc. Are you ready to put a glass drill to a $1,000+ tank? If you are, I wonder why you would even consider a reef ready model.

You need to decide what you can take on and what part of that you are willing to actually do. Go from there.

As far as brands of tanks, do your research and consider manufacturer reliability and longevity (my DSA tank is great!, but the manufacturer closed shop 2 years after I bought it). Also consider what materials you want: regular iron glass, low iron glass, or shell out the money for sapphire glass. Rimless, plastic rims, or polished aluminum rims? Once you make these decisions, your manufacture choices will be very limited based on your criteria. Then just pick one.

Where are you putting this 120 gallon tank? Is it a piece of furniture? If so, now you have to consider stand quality. Do you want a cheap stand in your family room?

And of course, what is your budget. This may limit you to an Aqueon aquarium, or may give you the freedom to get a highly customized aquarium from https://www.customaquariums.com, pre-drilled with thinner ultra clear tempered glass all around.

 

[mckinleyw]

If you want an aquarium that was built well and affordable, I would go with sc aquariums. Great customer service as well.

Unless you want to go with something high end, I would go with reef savvy.

those tanks are cool looking but this build I gonna kinda be a peninsula build.

 

[Oscar47f]

As stated above you need to plan things out pretty well before deciding.. and im sure there are manufacturers that will drill the glass for you so you don't have to.. i would call SC aquariums for a quote and call any other manufacturers you've been looking at and sort prices out

 

[mckinleyw]

Reef ready vs drilling and adding your own overflow? This makes me wonder how ready and prepared you are to do your own drilling, plumbing etc. Are you ready to put a glass drill to a $1,000+ tank? If you are, I wonder why you would even consider a reef ready model.

You need to decide what you can take on and what part of that you are willing to actually do. Go from there.

As far as brands of tanks, do your research and consider manufacturer reliability and longevity (my DSA tank is great!, but the manufacturer closed shop 2 years after I bought it). Also consider what materials you want: regular iron glass, low iron glass, or shell out the money for sapphire glass. Rimless, plastic rims, or polished aluminum rims? Once you make these decisions, your manufacture choices will be very limited based on your criteria. Then just pick one.

Where are you putting this 120 gallon tank? Is it a piece of furniture? If so, now you have to consider stand quality. Do you want a cheap stand in your family room?

And of course, what is your budget. This may limit you to an Aqueon aquarium, or may give you the freedom to get a highly customized aquarium from https://www.customaquariums.com, pre-drilled with thinner ultra clear tempered glass all around.

Awesome, this tank is going into the walkway by my bedroom and office area one side visible from room other from desk. I am somewhat handy. I have only used a 210 all glass that was predrilled my other tanks have all been hang on back over flow boxes. hate the hob look though. I think I may go with drilling this time. stands and canopies are easy ive built every single one of my stands. and canopies. My only concern is if I can trust the tank to hold up for a long time. The type of glass is kind of cost dependent. I am a budget reefer. Everything so far has been second hand besides skimmer, lighting, and other misc things.

I really appreciate all the input.

 

[mckinleyw]

If you want an aquarium that was built well and affordable, I would go with sc aquariums. Great customer service as well.

Unless you want to go with something high end, I would go with reef savvy.

I was looking at the synergy reef model. 16"

 

[Mandrew]

Drilling a tank is super easy. I've only done it once and I feel like a pro lol

 

[Jimbo662]

As stated above you need to plan things out pretty well before deciding.. and im sure there are manufacturers that will drill the glass for you so you don't have to.. i would call SC aquariums for a quote and call any other manufacturers you've been looking at and sort prices out

I was going to suggest SCA also. Great tanks, I've had two with no issues.

 

[mpjmeyer]

I was looking at the synergy reef model. 16"

I have the Synergy Shadow overflow and was also nervous about drilling my tank. However with the sturdy template they provided, drilling couldn't have been easier. It is very solid and water resistant which was great since I poured water as I drilled. Simply tape it on, insert the bit and let the drill do ALL the work.

 

[mckinleyw]

I have the Synergy Shadow overflow and was also nervous about drilling my tank. However with the sturdy template they provided, drilling couldn't have been easier. It is very solid and water resistant which was great since I poured water as I drilled. Simply tape it on, insert the bit and let the drill do ALL the work.

AWESOME THANKS!!

R2R RULES. I'll have more questions as I go just wanted to start keep them coming. any suggestions. I love getting everyone .02

 

[mpjmeyer]

I was going to do an HOB and am very happy I sold it and decided to drill. Very slim design giving more room in tank





I'm telling you, the drilling template made this so easy. I kinda felt ridiculous afterwards that I was that nervous about drilling when it turned out to be the easiest part of my build

 

[mckinleyw]

I was going to do an HOB and am very happy I sold it and decided to drill. Very slim design giving more room in tank

AWESOME!! that looks good. That's kinda what I was wanting. I think I am gonna put mine on the 24" side with 2 holes for returns. not sure just a thoughts. I'm still in planning phase.

 

[mpjmeyer]

The Synergy requires you to drill 2 holes which is easy with their template and has 3 drain outlets. 1 main, 1 secondary and an emergency drain.

 

[Oscar47f]

I would use all 3 personally but its up to you lol, you can always get a sump to match the bean animal over flow style

 

[Oscar47f]

The Synergy requires you to drill 2 holes which is easy with their template and has 3 drain outlets. 1 main, 1 secondary and an emergency drain.

This is what i meant lol