Whats the most cost effective supplier for large tanks?

[dtruitt]

I've been thinking about what I would do for a future large tank build. 300g sounds like a nice number. Lots of room to play with

A lot of hardware costs seem to decrease with bigger tanks. In a large tank, you can run a lot of gear closer to full capacity (heaters, pumps, lights even) and controllers and other bells and whistles dont get cheaper for smaller tanks...

What's got me questioning the viability of an upgrade in the somewhat distant future is the price of glass. All of the 125+ tanks I've seen online run a lot more per gallon than smaller, standard sizes.

I'd like a basic cabinet and glass (maybe rimless) tank with a 125g glass sump. I see a 125g tank for $500 from petco with a stand and lights that will immediately find a new home. Everything else I've seen is $650+ for a 125g tank. I cant believe the cheapest way to get a 125g tank to use as a sump is to buy a kit with the stand and a light.

Not looking for any holes or overflows on a DT. I like to diy.

Where should I go (other than CL) to get some very basic tanks at a price that isnt crazy?

 

[naterealbig]

I've been thinking about what I would do for a future large tank build. 300g sounds like a nice number. Lots of room to play with

A lot of hardware costs seem to decrease with bigger tanks. In a large tank, you can run a lot of gear closer to full capacity (heaters, pumps, lights even) and controllers and other bells and whistles dont get cheaper for smaller tanks...

What's got me questioning the viability of an upgrade in the somewhat distant future is the price of glass. All of the 125+ tanks I've seen online run a lot more per gallon than smaller, standard sizes.

I'd like a basic cabinet and glass (maybe rimless) tank with a 125g glass sump. I see a 125g tank for $500 from petco with a stand and lights that will immediately find a new home. Everything else I've seen is $650+ for a 125g tank. I cant believe the cheapest way to get a 125g tank to use as a sump is to buy a kit with the stand and a light.

Not looking for any holes or overflows on a DT. I like to diy.

Where should I go (other than CL) to get some very basic tanks at a price that isnt crazy?

Not sure what your budget is, but here is where I am getting my next 300g display from. Many standard tank sizes and process listed clearly. 3rd tank being built from them, and an absolute pleasure to deal with.

Glass Cages | Custom Aquariums and Tanks

Glass Cages offers glass and acrylic custom aquariums and fish tanks. We design and build all of our products in-house to ensure the highest quality tanks.

glasscages.com

 

[dtruitt]

Not sure what your budget is, but here is where I am getting my next 300g display from. Many standard tank sizes and process listed clearly. 3rd tank being built from them, and an absolute pleasure to deal with.

Glass Cages | Custom Aquariums and Tanks

Glass Cages offers glass and acrylic custom aquariums and fish tanks. We design and build all of our products in-house to ensure the highest quality tanks.

glasscages.com

I've been looking at them. <$10 a gallon, stand and all. Not bad, but not quite where I wish it would be.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

+1 for GlassCages.

I did a lot of custom quotes, Reef Savoy, Miracles, Custom Aq, SCA, and a few others.

Standard and small tanks they are all competitive. But bigger than 200g, or any kind of alteration to standard size, the prices jump.

Joe @ GlassCages provides excellent customer service and the most competitive prices!

 

[dtruitt]

+1 for GlassCages.

I did a lot of custom quotes, Reef Savoy, Miracles, Custom Aq, SCA, and a few others.

Standard and small tanks they are all competitive. But bigger than 200g, or any kind of alteration to standard size, the prices jump.

Joe @ GlassCages provides excellent customer service and the most competitive prices!

Could they do 300g rimless?

 

[naterealbig]

I've been looking at them. <$10 a gallon, stand and all. Not bad, but not quite where I wish it would be.

Their prices are VERY competitive, and their shipping is the cheapest I've seen. Yes, even the more economical choices will cost you. Remember, the quality difference between them and a "big box" builder will be night and day. Good luck with your search - let me know if you have any questions.

 

[naterealbig]

Could they do 300g rimless?

They are building me a 300g rimless as we speak

 

[Devaji]

They are building me a 300g rimless as we speak

not to high jack this thread but.....hell yes! I have been talking to joe for a future basement BIG FOWLR pleasure to talk to!
do you have a build thread going?

OP seems like you are handy have you thought about a DIY plywood tank? might be up your alley?

 

[dtruitt]

not to high jack this thread but.....hell yes! I have been talking to joe for a future basement BIG FOWLR pleasure to talk to!
do you have a build thread going?

OP have seems like you are handy have you thought about a DIY plywood tank? might be up your alley?

Plywood builds are cheap, but you're restricted to one viewing angle. Maybe two.

Sounds like glass cages is the way to go. $3k or so isnt unreasonable for a large tank.

 

[mfinn]

I've been looking at them. <$10 a gallon, stand and all. Not bad, but not quite where I wish it would be.

It will be tough to beat GC on price. They are rock bottom.
You might want to look for used if they don't fit in your budget

 

[fishguy242]

i would have to agree with,looks like everybody, @Joe Glass Cages ,is great choice ,quality work,personable

 

[mfinn]

is great choice ,quality work,

I wouldn't go that far.
I only said that they would probably be the cheapest.

 

[fishguy242]

I wouldn't go that far.
I only said that they would probably be the cheapest.

ok almost everybody joe has taken glass cages to a new level past 10 months,proof is in the pudding

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

I also see a lot of complaints from many manufacturers, from quality to customer service issues. No one is perfect. Take all reviews (good and bad) and make your own personal decision.

 

[mrbh22]

using my personal expierence i just had a tank (310 gallon) built by planet aquariums. using their MEGA matrix builder on their site i got a great tank at what i believe is a very fair price. my silicone work is flawless the glass looks great and build quality overall is top notch.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

+1 for GlassCages.

I did a lot of custom quotes, Reef Savoy, Miracles, Custom Aq, SCA, and a few others.

Standard and small tanks they are all competitive. But bigger than 200g, or any kind of alteration to standard size, the prices jump.

Joe @ GlassCages provides excellent customer service and the most competitive prices!

Thanks @dreamcatcherr9. just want to support as much as possible. As a company that supports this community, listening on this forum is great. We have learned and grown so much over the past 6 months. We are humbly listening on how we can serve better. The Glass Cages team has certainly raised the bar over here and it appears to be noticed. I am so proud of them. Thank you.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

not to high jack this thread but.....hell yes! I have been talking to joe for a future basement BIG FOWLR pleasure to talk to!
do you have a build thread going?

OP have seems like you are handy have you thought about a DIY plywood tank? might be up your alley?

I so enjoy talking tanks and supporting. its all in the journey. Thanks @Devaji

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Could they do 300g rimless?

That is possible.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

using my personal expierence i just had a tank (310 gallon) built by planet aquariums. using their MEGA matrix builder on their site i got a great tank at what i believe is a very fair price. my silicone work is flawless the glass looks great and build quality overall is top notch.

@mrbh22, Planet is a great builder. Beautiful work. They are a great option for a custom build.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

ok almost everybody joe has taken glass cages to a new level past 10 months,proof is in the pudding

Thanks @fishguy242 for noticing the changes and adjustments. I am proud of the Glass Cages Team. They have taken all the feedback, listened and adjusted. They are a humble team that wants to do the best they can. They deserve all the credit.

This is just the beginning. Put on your seatbelt.