Acrylic or Glass for new custom tank

[JOHF]

Hi everyone,

New guy here. Quick question, I want a custom tank built for a space that a run of the mill Petland or Petco tank can't fit and take the entire space [I have about 68" worth of space for the length of the tank]. I'm looking get a 60"L tank, and have a good 6" between both sides so that nothing gets scratched during install.

I've called Miracles in Canada, Coast to Coast aquariums, GlassCages, and a custom installer that my place of work used for a project. All of the quotes are quite astronomical, I won't say who quoted what, and won't include GlassCages beacuse I've read they suck and don't deliver; but for the most part the quoted price was from $3,100 to about $4,000. Now, I have checked out TruVu [$1,005 for a 60x24x24 with 2 overflows and everything required for the drain and return] and other acrylic tank builders, and they don't even come close to $2,000!

So my question is this, besides the material being more expensive and high end [low iron glass], what advantage would me having the tank built in glass give me to explain to the Mrs. why I dropped the equivalent of a Caribbean vacation on the tank alone? I know glass does not scratch as easily and all, but a scratch on acrylic can be buffed out.

Your input is much appreciated.

 

[albano]

I'm about to order a new custom built 6', 350g acrylic tank from Maximum Reefs in Yonkers...a few weeks ago, I saw a 6', 300g that they had just built and it looked good, so I've been designing my next tank since then.

 

[JOHF]

I'm about to order a new custom built 6', 350g acrylic tank from Maximum Reefs in Yonkers...a few weeks ago, I saw a 6', 300g that they had just built and it looked good, so I've been designing my next tank since then.

What's your quote looking like? Of course yours is a much larger tank, but it would give me an idea to see if a call is warranted to them. Thanks for the info.

 

[piranhapat]

Johf, I'm looking like you for a new tank. Debating on glass or acrylic too. Ebay has brand new 60 x 24x24 for $799 which are reef ready. I was looking at there 150 and 180. The only bad thing was shipping which add to cost. $225! But check it out. They not to far away. They build tanks in Pennsylvania. Look under Acrylic fish tanks you will see lots of new tanks. But Albano said something good and I will check out price from Max reef. I saw than build they acrylic tank once. Plus you won't have to paid shipping.

 

[albano]

I don't have the quote on mine because I haven't finished the plan/design yet... I THINK that Ralph told me that the custom 300g DD acrylic that they built was ~$1200, BUT I can't guarantee that! Please give Ralph a call to check the price.

 

[ssminnow81]

Johf, I'm looking like you for a new tank. Debating on glass or acrylic too. Ebay has brand new 60 x 24x24 for $799 which are reef ready. I was looking at there 150 and 180. The only bad thing was shipping which add to cost. $225! But check it out. They not to far away. They build tanks in Pennsylvania. Look under Acrylic fish tanks you will see lots of new tanks. But Albano said something good and I will check out price from Max reef. I saw than build they acrylic tank once. Plus you won't have to paid shipping.

I've looked into this guy also. Prices are great but shipping kills
You. Even though hes in pa I think it's a 5 or 6 hour drive from Brooklyn.

U could also try Reefoman, that's who I ended
Up Going With.

 

[JOHF]

Johf, I'm looking like you for a new tank. Debating on glass or acrylic too. Ebay has brand new 60 x 24x24 for $799 which are reef ready. I was looking at there 150 and 180. The only bad thing was shipping which add to cost. $225! But check it out. They not to far away. They build tanks in Pennsylvania. Look under Acrylic fish tanks you will see lots of new tanks. But Albano said something good and I will check out price from Max reef. I saw than build they acrylic tank once. Plus you won't have to paid shipping.

I saw that too, the guy's name is David Bombara. I'll get the name brand pricing first because they should have some sort of warranty; if the prices are way off from what the eBay guy has I might just consider him since I got brothers in PA, and both have SUV's.

 

[JOHF]

I don't have the quote on mine because I haven't finished the plan/design yet... I THINK that Ralph told me that the custom 300g DD acrylic that they built was ~$1200, BUT I can't guarantee that! Please give Ralph a call to check the price.

Thanks a lot man! ~$1,200 for a 350 gallon tank is a grate price. Do they build it themselves or is it ordered from a vendor like TruVu?

 

[albano]

Thanks a lot man! ~$1,200 for a 350 gallon tank is a grate price. Do they build it themselves or is it ordered from a vendor like TruVu?

That price was for a 300g built to 300DD specs...they are built on site by Ralph's brother, who also builds custom sumps ...

 

[empire]

I've dealt with the guy in PA. His work is pretty good.

 

[JOHF]

Johf, I'm looking like you for a new tank. Debating on glass or acrylic too. Ebay has brand new 60 x 24x24 for $799 which are reef ready. I was looking at there 150 and 180. The only bad thing was shipping which add to cost. $225! But check it out. They not to far away. They build tanks in Pennsylvania. Look under Acrylic fish tanks you will see lots of new tanks. But Albano said something good and I will check out price from Max reef. I saw than build they acrylic tank once. Plus you won't have to paid shipping.

Just spoke with David [PA guy], got quoted for $550 under what Midwest Custom Aquariums wanted for the same tank design; only bad thing is he has a 3 month wait list!

Also spoke with someone from World Class Aquariums in Brooklyn [glass], they were $200 [if regular 1/2" glass] and $600 [if Starphire 1/2" is used in 3 panels] more than Midwest Acrylic.

I called Maximum Reef and left a message for Ralph with the dimensions, I hope he gets back to me soon because I got to get the ball rolling since I don't know how long it will take them to build it.