Your thoughts on custom tank manufacturers?

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I actually started one on this today. Not a lot of traction yet, but I'm hopeful it will be a good discussion. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/l...o-are-they-who-do-you-recommend.896436/unread

I saw that! Thank you

 

[ssdawood]

I see reef savvy has 121 votes. So 121 people in this forum ordered 121 tanks thru them ?
Even with 9 month wait 121 tanks were sold?
Or people voted Felix based on good word from others.

Not a hater. Waiting on a quote from him.
On Facebook I saw Felix post this
100x44x39

Sweet I am looking for something similar 120x36x36

Joe this is what you gonna build Bud
Minus the metal
Plus low iron perimeter bracing
You ready
That tank is 100x44x39

Mine you build is 120x36x36 pretty close.
Joe here is the top pic of my tank

In my peninsula it's hard to get water movement on the other side
I am not going to make that mistake again
Divider wall and two towers.
Also extra hole in every overflow for wires.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I recently purchased a 400 gallon tank from glass cages. 96x36x27. There’s a build thread on here as well. In terms of build quality I couldn’t be happier with glass cages. Ive had more than 3 custom tanks and I’m blessed to have played professional sports so I really wasn’t chained to a set budget but bang for your buck you’d be hard pressed to find a better tank and hands down the best customer experience I’ve had in any tank purchase.

Joe walked me through the design and laid out exactly what I was thinking in my head. I went with a standard bracing top as I’m more of a fish than coral guy (this tank will house a pair of bluespot stingrays as it’s centerpiece). the tank is peninsula like only the front and one side are viewable so they are low iron. I also added holes for a closed loop.

The tank was on schedule delivered to a local terminal due to it being over 84” packing on the tank was great and now it’s just sitting in my garage waiting for the snow to melt so I can get it in through my sliders.

joe and glass cages will be building my tanks from here on and we’ll be adding a BIG one in the spring or summer for our new CDJR store.

thanks so much for sharing @MBinNY

that was a fun build. Can't wait to see water moving in it.

Thanks for the support and kind words. We are here to support all the time!

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Joe this is what you gonna build Bud
Minus the metal
Plus low iron perimeter bracing
You ready
That tank is 100x44x39

Mine you build is 120x36x36 pretty close.
Joe here is the top pic of my tank

In my peninsula it's hard to get water movement on the other side
I am not going to make that mistake again
Divider wall and two towers.
Also extra hole in every overflow for wires.

Hi there @ssdawood

So sorry for the delay in my reply.

That will be epic. Do you want to talk this one through?

 

[ssdawood]

Hi there @ssdawood

So sorry for the delay in my reply.

That will be epic. Do you want to talk this one through?

Sure
One day when we both have time.
I am gonna be ordering by June
This way I can be setting it up by December

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Sure
One day when we both have time.
I am gonna be ordering by June
This way I can be setting it up by December

for sure. Always a time to talk tanks. Thanks so much.

 

[Tenecor Aquariums]

Hey, can we get in on this ?

 

[JoshH]

Hey, can we get in on this ?

Ofcourse you can, I just have to renew my sponsorship to edit the list and add you. Been kindof hesistant about it but I'll get around to it soon.

 

[Tenecor Aquariums]

Ofcourse you can, I just have to renew my sponsorship to edit the list and add you. Been kindof hesistant about it but I'll get around to it soon.

Outstanding! All the best.

 

[takoarm8]

Haven’t seen a single review of innovative marine? I was looking between crystal dynamics and innovative marine but man crystal dynamics isn’t getting very good reviews here.

I’m looking to build a 72x30x24 tank.

 

[JoshH]

Haven’t seen a single review of innovative marine? I was looking between crystal dynamics and innovative marine but man crystal dynamics isn’t getting very good reviews here.

I’m looking to build a 72x30x24 tank.

To my knowledge Innovative Marine does not make custom aquariums which would be why they aren't on this list. Innovative Marine do make very nice Aquariums, you don't see too many negative things said about them.

 

[takoarm8]

To my knowledge Innovative Marine does not make custom aquariums which would be why they aren't on this list. Innovative Marine do make very nice Aquariums, you don't see too many negative things said about

To my knowledge Innovative Marine does not make custom aquariums which would be why they aren't on this list. Innovative Marine do make very nice Aquariums, you don't see too many negative things said about them.

A little Nervous about their stands being aluminum instead of steel.

 

[JoshH]

A little Nervous about their stands being aluminum instead of steel.

What makes you nervous about that? Aluminum should last much longer

 

[takoarm8]

What makes you nervous about that? Aluminum should last much longer

wouldn’t steel be much stronger?

 

[takoarm8]

The top custom guys seem to use steel frames

 

[Lowell Lemon]

The top custom guys seem to use steel frames

Steel is cheaper to build with than aluminum. Even after powder coating steel can rust. Aluminum does not rust and steel does. Yes it is that simple. I would lean towards aluminum designed for the load or water proof plastics. Just my experience.

 

[ssdawood]

Haven’t seen a single review of innovative marine? I was looking between crystal dynamics and innovative marine but man crystal dynamics isn’t getting very good reviews here.

I’m looking to build a 72x30x24 tank.

Yeah no custom work. Thos thread is about custom manufacturers.

But they are great tanks at great prices. You will not find something that affordable. Plus their metal stand is amazing.

So is fiji cube. I have a 76 gallon frag tank and they are amazing too. Waterbox is another.

Custom is good, I have Coast to Coast custom. But next time I am going with one of these guys. Custom costs too much money.
15 to 20k just for tank and stand .

You better of buying corals. Plus the wait times.
If you have a specific spot where you want a tank. And it is weird dimensions and you have cash go for it.

Otherwise compromise, buy something Innovative etc and spend it on stocking fishes and corals.

 

[takoarm8]

I guess that was more of my question is custom worth it from one of these builders if you are getting a standard sized tanks. Sorry I hijacked guys.

 

[ssdawood]

Steel is cheaper to build with than aluminum. Even after powder coating steel can rust. Aluminum does not rust and steel does. Yes it is that simple. I would lean towards aluminum designed for the load or water proof plastics. Just my experience.

Maybe cheaper, but to us end consumer we pay same. I see some aluminum vendor making tank stand kits for 120 gallon for 800 dollars. You still have to skin it etc.

I have a 1.5in steel powder coated stand for 4 years now.
No skin on it, as I am lazy.
No rust. Still look new. I don't think we keep tank or stand long enough for it to rust.
We always upgrade etc.

 

[ssdawood]

If your going custom tank, get the stand from same manufacturer. Some of them will double warranty.

Like for me Coast 2 Coast gave 2 year warranty on my stand.
Buy 10 years if I bought their stand. Not even a thought I went with C2C.

But yes aluminum is better. It's just that you have to buy it in pieces. Or pay someone to assemble the kit.

Then you put it together. Make sure level it. Then skin it etc
Also if you never dealt with extruded aluminum stand before it gets confusing.
Once you ready to order tank you will understand pros and cons of custom aquarium, steel stand and aluminum stand.