Worthwhile considering a custom tank?

[Zach W]

HI all, I will be upgrading to a larger tank in about a year and am starting to put together my wish list. I have come to the WB 180.5 (60x25x24) as my ideal tank. One thing I am wondering about is if I should consider inquiring about a custom tank? I like the dimensions of the WB, I am just curious if I would be able to get any cost savings for having the tank built? My thought is having to buy the tank/stand/sump/plumbing it would be more expensive then the WB, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this?

 

[ca1ore]

Custom built tanks are always more expensive that make to stock tanks ...... always! IMO only makes sense to go custom once you exceed the size of mass markets tanks.

 

[Greybeard]

I looked at every 'mass market' 5' tank I could find (not that there are many of them!), and wasn't going to be happy with any of them. Too deep, not wide enough. I _really_ wanted 60" x 30" and under 20" tall. So... I ordered one, 60 x 30 x 18, from Planet Aquariums. I was building a custom stand anyway, so that didn't matter... wanted drilled in a particular manner for peninsula application. Been a few years ago now, I don't recall the exact price, but it wasn't bad. Certainly a lot less than the 3k you're looking at for the WB180.5. I probably spent a grand on my rather unique stand, but even the two combined were less than 3k. Now... add in the sump, plumbing, pumps, filtration, automation, lighting... well... 3k starts to look like a bargain. (I guess the WB is 4k, with lighting)

Still, I would not have been happy with a non-custom tank size, and I certainly wanted to build my own stand design, so it worked out for me. If you're going to be happy with the WB 'package'... then by all means, go that way. It'll surely be cheaper when all is said and done.

 

[Zach W]

I looked at every 'mass market' 5' tank I could find (not that there are many of them!), and wasn't going to be happy with any of them. Too deep, not wide enough. I _really_ wanted 60" x 30" and under 20" tall. So... I ordered one, 60 x 30 x 18, from Planet Aquariums. I was building a custom stand anyway, so that didn't matter... wanted drilled in a particular manner for peninsula application. Been a few years ago now, I don't recall the exact price, but it wasn't bad. Certainly a lot less than the 3k you're looking at for the WB180.5. I probably spent a grand on my rather unique stand, but even the two combined were less than 3k. Now... add in the sump, plumbing, pumps, filtration, automation, lighting... well... 3k starts to look like a bargain. (I guess the WB is 4k, with lighting)

Still, I would not have been happy with a non-custom tank size, and I certainly wanted to build my own stand design, so it worked out for me. If you're going to be happy with the WB 'package'... then by all means, go that way. It'll surely be cheaper when all is said and done.

Awesome tank! I love peninsula's and depending on the house I end up buying I would love to do a peninsula! I would prefer a little wider of a tank say 60x30x24, but does 5" really make a huge difference? I am trying to compare tank, stand, plumbing, and sump costs only because that is the package the WB comes with. I am also not versed in the area of stand building so I would have to have someone make something for me.

 

[Greybeard]

I would prefer a little wider of a tank say 60x30x24, but does 5" really make a huge difference?

Does to me. I would have done 60x36, but I was running out of floor space. Also, I like the short height. Keeps my sleeves dry

Enjoy, whatever you choose. I can almost guarantee that the WB system will be less expensive than a custom tank, by the time you add in all of the parts and pieces their system comes with. Then again, price isn't everything

 

[Bossman]

Almost every tank stand I've seen is nearly the same size as the bottom panel of the tank. You have space around your stand which could come in handy. You could almost have your morning coffee and breakfast on the stand while you enjoy the tank. Very cool!

 

[PatW]

It makes sense to go custom if you cannot get what you want in a mass produced tank. For example, it used to be that if you wanted low iron glass, you pretty near had to go custom. But now, with Red Sea, Water Box and Innovative Marine, a wide variety of low iron glass tank are available.

If you want tanks with more than 24” of depth, you pretty near have to go custom.

Or if you want a big, low iron glass tank (like over 300 gallons), you need to go custom.

 

[Greybeard]

Almost every tank stand I've seen is nearly the same size as the bottom panel of the tank. You have space around your stand which could come in handy. You could almost have your morning coffee and breakfast on the stand while you enjoy the tank. Very cool!

Morning coffee? I suppose... Of course, the lights wouldn't be on, unless it was coffee over luncheon.

Honestly, a cold beverage is more my goal. Under the back of that aquarium is some nice glassware, some fine Islay island liquid gold, Kirk and Sweeney 18, Ron Zacapa...

It's my bar

Greybeard's Reef. (Ever seen Donovan's Reef?) I relax in front of my tank with a fine whiskey or rum pretty much every evening. Hey... know what? It's nearly 5 O'Clock

 

[Bossman]

Morning coffee? I suppose... Of course, the lights wouldn't be on, unless it was coffee over luncheon.

Honestly, a cold beverage is more my goal. Under the back of that aquarium is some nice glassware, some fine Islay island liquid gold, Kirk and Sweeney 18, Ron Zacapa...

It's my bar

Greybeard's Reef. (Ever seen Donovan's Reef?) I relax in front of my tank with a fine whiskey or rum pretty much every evening. Hey... know what? It's nearly 5 O'Clock

That sounds very good! Reefing in style.