What tank company is best ?

[NowGlazeIT]

A lot of this was pre-v3 stands and tanks. The 750 XXL that quite a few people had issues with has been significantly upgraded. Thicker glass, reinforced corners, a 2" steel lip all along the front of the tank, an aluminum strut/brace, etc. This isn't an endorsement of Red Sea - only sharing what the LFS, another friend with a 750 XXL and I noticed with the improvements.

That’s great to hear, they needed to change it up and appears they did in a few ways

 

[N.Sreefer]

Glass tanks are cheap to make so are marketed heavily but they eventually leak or burst. They may be ok for small tanks that are not moved and intended for a few years - for anything large and long term or for any aquarium you plan on ever moving - I would only recommend acrylic aquariums and of those advanced acrylics in SoCal is the best I have found. Acrylic is what virtually all professional institutions and researchers use. You simply can’t even insure glass tanks in professional environments at all. Acrylic is better in every way except scratches. You avoid scratches by avoiding fine sand and using large coral gravel or tlf reactor media or bare bottom and making a routine of cleaning tops and middles first and the bottoms very slowly last with magnet cleaner with diamond scrub on it. It’s a game changer. Even if you get a scratch you can carefully remove it with fine 1500 or 3000 then higher grit sandpaper and the same magnet cleaner while fish and water still in tank. Just run a power filter a few inches away to catch the micro plastics. If you are a careful person then this will become a regular and easier habit. If you are not careful enough to clean the tank correctly maybe you shouldn’t be in the hobby of caring for delicate marine life in a small micro environment. If you want professional grade and can develop professional habits then acrylic is your only choice.

Until the acrylic tank starts falling apart. Its all opinion and personal preference lots of people have glass tanks running for years with no problems. My first tank leaked after 6 years and only leaked because it was moved and wasn't level in the new location (user error). I have a 150 that was running as a freshwater since the early 90s and is currently housing a reef it hasn't been resealed in a decade. My 55 gallon was bought in 96 still no problems and no scratches after moving from NFL to florida and back to NS canada. My favorite tanks are older (pre 2000) Hagen tanks. They don't build anything like they used to aquariums included.

 

[ReefEco]

Had a horrible experience with Custom Aquariums - save yourself the headache. Unethical, rude, ordered 5 tanks which were damaged in transit along with the stand. 400g display had unpolished edges which they tried to excuse away. They tried to force me to take the damaged stand as a condition of remaking the tank. Seriously. Chose them because I got a couple good recommendations - but no one should ever go through what I did. Run. Reordered my tanks trough AGE and have been happy. Just make sure you having shipping squared away, and contingencies in place. Or, choose someone local you can pick up if going custom. Honestly I would have driven a couple hundred miles to pick up if I had that option and could do it again.

 

[WRB]

I'm waiting on mine. I can say their communication has been very good so far. Sometimes it takes 1-2 days to get a response. I've seen some of their tanks in person and they are super clean and top of the line. I was quoted a 3 month lead time, that would put me receiving my tank sometime in August. I've heard some say it's more like 5 months but that was during covid outbreaks and they apparently had a silicone supply issue.

I went for their epoxy coated steel stand as well, it extends their tank warranty. I plan to skin it myself since I'll be making a floating hood so may as well have it match. I'll say their wood work is stellar.

I can keep you posted on the outcome and update here on my overall impressions of the tank and stand combo. IMO with the price point some of these cookie cutter tanks are at, for a little more you can have American made tanks that are tailored to your exact needs and real wood or steel stands. For me when talking about 200+ gallons of saltwater in my living room, around my kids I'm dropping that extra $$ to get what I want and have more trust in. CD was local to me, so I went that route for the same reasons you posted. It was very close between them and GlassCages. Those tanks look amazing as well. That black eurobracing is so sick.

Redsea fails out the **** if you follow their FB page. New tank popping up weekly it seems.... popping seams. Customer service sounds very good but man, I can't imagine dealing with that and being happy.

I just got a quote for a 120 custom since I have limited space. Heard good things and the $200 shipping to curbside is fair but I have a truck and help so that money can go towards other things.
I ask about lead time and the canned response was 4-6 months, "maybe" less. Their stands and cabs are nice but I thought the $2,800 was a bit steep. I have a machine shop that will build me one to my specs for less than a grand and I'll skin it myself too. I'll watch for your updates, Thanks.

 

[zuri]

i have my eye on the new AIO's BRS has
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sumps-tanks-refugiums/tanks/advanced-acrylics.html

 

[Celestion]

best tanks triple thick acrylic , no top brace,. Very expensive...it will never leak..

 

[dyno]

I love Red Sea and am happy with my choice.

 

[Cell]

I have whittled my choices for my next tank down to Planet, Glass Cages, and Cade. It will be a 48"×24"x~20"

I'm out on WB, disappointing QC and CS through personal experience.

I'm out on Redsea, abominable CS during the large tank/stand failure era.

I suppose I'd still consider an IM, but not a big fan of their stands, dont want to build my own and dont want to deal with the stress/time of have one made and hope it fits/matches the tank perfectly.

Cade makes the final list only because I've done zero research on them yet, but it seems owners love them and they are high quality.

Glass Cages speaks for itself, @Joe Glass Cages interaction with the R2R community and transparency with the past quality issues prior to his ownership is incredibly impressive and appreciated. I have zero doubts in the quality of the product and CS. But it would be a bit more expensive than the next option.

Planet Aquariums Crystalline Reef line has really caught my eye. I like that I dont have to shop around and make decisions on the overflow box and sump and it comes with a quality stand that I know is tailor made for the tank.

I'm having trouble finding any complaints about my 3 finalists which is reassuring. Planet might be having some silicone QC issues lately, but that's about it.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I have whittled my choices for my next tank down to Planet, Glass Cages, and Cade. It will be a 48"×24"x~20"

I'm out on WB, disappointing QC and CS through personal experience.

I'm out on Redsea, abominable CS during the large tank/stand failure era.

I suppose I'd still consider an IM, but not a big fan of their stands, dont want to build my own and dont want to deal with the stress/time of have one made and hope it fits/matches the tank perfectly.

Cade makes the final list only because I've done zero research on them yet, but it seems owners love them and they are high quality.

Glass Cages speaks for itself, @Joe Glass Cages interaction with the R2R community and transparency with the past quality issues prior to his ownership is incredibly impressive and appreciated. I have zero doubts in the quality of the product and CS. But it would be a bit more expensive than the next option.

Planet Aquariums Crystalline Reef line has really caught my eye. I like that I dont have to shop around and make decisions on the overflow box and sump and it comes with a quality stand that I know is tailor made for the tank.

I'm having trouble finding any complaints about my 3 finalists which is reassuring. Planet might be having some silicone QC issues lately, but that's about it.

Totally honored to make your list. So humbling.

you have a tough decision possibly. I really believe you would be very satisfied with CADE or Planet. from what I see and hear, great choices.

Enjoy the journey! Maintain patience. Keep a trainable attitude! lastly, the right choice is your choice.

So, get it going. we wanna see some build thread pictures... just kidding.

 

[GermanJosh]

Checkout mode aquarium. There really nice. And if you're in the Florida area I know a custom tank builder and he does aluminum stands with all his tanks.

Who is the custom tank and stand builder?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Lol this is going to have so many replies.

It's preference. I would rule out tanks that have common leaks

 

[Oldreefer44]

1. Reef Savvy
2. Custom Aquariums
3. Glass cages

There are many quality manufacturers but there are major differences in stands. Learned my lesson with an 8 year old 135 gal tank that was still in great shape but the stand started to fail so had to tear it down. Current 180 has a steel stand covered with wood. To me a necessity with any large tank.

 

[ReefEco]

Whatever you do, stay away from Custom Aquariums - one of the most unethical, rude, dishonest companies I've ever experienced. And I'm not one of those people that flames companies. I ordered 5 tanks from them which were damaged in transit, and the excuses, hostage taking, and dishonesty they displayed was astounding. You never really learn about a company or its people until things go wrong, and how they deal with it. Run away from them!

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'll throw in Tank Me USA into the mix, amazing finish & quality on custom tanks.

See his videos on YouTube.

 

[jp_75]

I’d add innovative marine to that list. Their stuff is nice. I have 2 and would buy again. But the next time I go much larger so IM will be looked over.

How long you have their tanks? Any issues?

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

How long you have their tanks? Any issues?

I'm on my 4th. The first generation used terrible pumps and slightly thinner glass. But I never had a problem with them.

Now the glass is thicker and the DC pump is nice enough I'm going to try using it instead of replacing it right away on my newest tank.

I've never had any kind of failure at all. I've been buying them for 7 years now

 

[kenjung]

Shout-out to Joe @ Glass Cages!

Looking like the old Oceanic tank with the middle brace. Oceanic last forever.

 

[naterealbig]

Diehard Glass Cages fan here. Great quality tank, excellent finish, and customer service level that i literally have never experienced before. Joe will treat you like family, and he treats the details with more care than you do. Quick turnaround, amazing communication, and a ton of options. Give Joe a call and pick his brain - you'll be happy you did.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Diehard Glass Cages fan here. Great quality tank, excellent finish, and customer service level that i literally have never experienced before. Joe will treat you like family, and he treats the details with more care than you do. Quick turnaround, amazing communication, and a ton of options. Give Joe a call and pick his brain - you'll be happy you did.

thanks so much for the support! really appreciated @naterealbig

We strive to give you and everyone the best version of ourselves we can. Always available to support.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I don't know what's the best brand but I can say with high confidence it isn't Red Sea.