Acrylic tank and Aquatic Technology

[avaloncourt]

I'm hoping to get some advice. My work takes me into NE Ohio and the Cleveland area specifically three days a week.

I am going to change a 75g glass tank over to acrylic. I've been pricing Tenecor tanks through dealers and direct. If I purchased from them I'd get their 'show tank' build that has filter slots and holes predrilled.

When searching around I came across Aquatic Technology's acrylic tank pricing. There were no real specifics about the tanks on the page so I emailed them and got no reply. I then called and got a woman who seemed to know less than nothing about anything I asked her.

The AT tank price page is a year old. I asked if the pricing was accurate. She told me that the prices would be "a little higher but not much." So, I asked her what that would be and she told me she didn't know. I asked who makes the aquariums and was told they have someone who makes the tanks for them. Since I would have purchased a Tenecor "show tank" that is pre-cut standard for hang on skimmers and UV I asked if there are any pre-cut holes and she said no. I asked if there was a fee for cutting holes. She didn't know. I asked if I should email a cut layout for a quote. She said "John" was the person I needed to get a price from (and also the person who doesn't answer the email) and to email him to get a price.

I did some checking online before calling and have seen some really mixed comments about Aquatic Technology ranging from ok service to snobbish and aloof. I've also read some pretty negative comments about them that were about five years old on a LFS review site but I haven't found anything recent.

I'm sending yet another email tonight to try to get some information. I hope John replies this time.

Can anyone give me some accurate insight on how they are to deal with? The first impressions certainly aren't good. They only reason I'm pursuing this is because their prices seemed decent (Hopefully their tanks are) and I can pick the tank up there. The price difference with the Tenecor plus shipping is almost $200. I'd really appreciate any help. Thank you.

 

[GSMguy]

dont waste your time with aquatic tech they are just so disorganized and sell very few quality products and not really helpfull

i would try talking to james and envision acrylics they make a very nice tank and will buile it any way you like.

 

[avaloncourt]

Thank you SO much. That's exactly the help I needed.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

I bought my first acrylic tank from them. The so-called 60 gallon, which was actually 53 gallons (48"x16"x16"). It is decent quality, eurobraced, and the seams were well done. I would generally have to agree with GSMguy about them. The staff is terrible with customer service - they seem like you are really putting them out by asking any questions or even making a sale at all. Do they care to make a sale? Doesn't seem like it from the way they act. Though they did make the tank in reasonable time and I was satisfied with the quality, I think you'll do better going elsewhere. My newest acrylic is Tru-Vu, and it is very nice and was very reasonably priced.

 

[lawdog]

Ostrom Manufacturing LLC. 325 Lee St Mount Gilead, OH , 43338-1158 Phone: 419-946-6887 FAX: 419-946-6847

Best Custom Acrylic prices and service, quality around... IMHO. I bought my 120 from them a couple years ago and got the tank and oak stand and high canopy for MH lighting for the cost most places charged for just the tank.

 

[chkm]

I agree with GSMguy, my hubby and I have been there a few times and I am less then pleased with the people that work there...not too knowledgable or friendly! Check with Salty Critter in Vermilion...those guys ROCK!! http://www.saltycritter.com/

 

[schmidsa]

I would have to fifth that and say that Aquatic Technology is not worth the trouble. They are so disorganized, and make you feel like you are interrupting their day if you ask them a question.

 

[avaloncourt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10084809#post10084809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
i would try talking to james and envision acrylics they make a very nice tank and will buile it any way you like.

Well, I got a quote response from Envision and they are waaaaay out of my price range. A 75 gallon shipped would run me about $1000. That's a bit too much for me. I'll follow up with the other suggestions here.

 

[cmador]

Have you called Paul at http://www.firstclassaquatics.com/? He made me a very nice internal overflow and the customer service was great.

 

[avaloncourt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10092105#post10092105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cmador
Have you called Paul at http://www.firstclassaquatics.com/? He made me a very nice internal overflow and the customer service was great.

After reading this I did some searching and found some very good reviews. I wrote and requested a quote. Unfortunately, he was worse on price than my previous quote above. While I would have liked to give him the order his quote was for $1000 without any shipping charges.

 

[lawdog]

Ostrom MFG listed above.... call them and get a price quote... Seriously...


They used to have a very nice website setup but it has been down for awhile but they are most definately still doing the work. They manufacture all the acrylic tanks for the Aquarium Adventure stores and Petland USA. Not saying those stores are worth a beans for fish....but they are a giant corp. and Ostrom makes the tanks for them.

I have been very happy with my 120 gallon tank from them and the price was unbelieveable compared to quotes I was getting when I was looking.

Edit to add: Do a search on this forum for Ostrom and you will see. CORA people use them alot because they are closer to Columbus than Cleveland but the price alone is worth the cost of gas to drive and pick it up which is what I did... They do ship though.

 

[avaloncourt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10097983#post10097983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lawdog
Ostrom MFG listed above.... call them and get a price quote... Seriously...


They used to have a very nice website setup but it has been down for awhile but they are most definately still doing the work. They manufacture all the acrylic tanks for the Aquarium Adventure stores and Petland USA. Not saying those stores are worth a beans for fish....but they are a giant corp. and Ostrom makes the tanks for them.

I have been very happy with my 120 gallon tank from them and the price was unbelieveable compared to quotes I was getting when I was looking.

Edit to add: Do a search on this forum for Ostrom and you will see. CORA people use them alot because they are closer to Columbus than Cleveland but the price alone is worth the cost of gas to drive and pick it up which is what I did... They do ship though.

Don't worry, I am. I looked for a website or email address and found nothing. I had a chance to call this afternoon. He gave me a very broad ballpark guess because he didn't have his price list. I asked for his email address so I could send him the specifics and get an actual quote. For anyone wanting to contact them it's ostrommfg1@earthlink.net

I wasn't ignoring you but having an email address for me works a lot better than phone usually. I worked 14 hours today and sometimes I just can't stop to deal with a personal phone call. I do appreciate your information though.

 

[lawdog]

Any luck on the Tank???

 

[avaloncourt]

It's been a very slow process so far on their end. It took two days for them to respond to my email and it was a partial response.

I explained what I wanted and where it needed to be shipped. I also asked them what their lead time was. I got back the tank price, $325, but was told I needed to provide them with the zip code for a shipping quote. I gave them the city and state. I guess they're not familiar with Google. There was no reponse to the lead time question.

I sent the zip code and asked again about the lead time. Another two days later I got a reponse of $200 shipping (from OH to just across the border into PA) plus a $50 crating fee. As the shipping costs would be nearly the cost of the tank I'm going to have to figure out a day I'm over in Cleveland and then continue on down there to pick it up. With regard to the lead time, they take 4-6 weeks.

Now I have to get back to them so they'll send me an agreement to sign and provide a deposit.

 

[lawdog]

Call them... and talk to someone it works wonders.

I think I spoke to them about 10 times before I bought my tank making sure I had all the bulkheads and overflows drilled in the right locations with the right size drains/return lines. They faxed me an agreement I signed it and faxed it back...

I think they told me 4-6 weeks but mine was done in 2 weeks. I would go pick it up for sure... no sense paying for shipping when you are that close to drive.

 

[avaloncourt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10134500#post10134500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lawdog
Call them... and talk to someone it works wonders.

Keep in mind that this all started with a phone call (see above) and the person who answered the phone said he didn't have the price list for the tanks and didn't seem overly eager about taking down my information. At least I'm making some progress with the emails. It's been someone named Hilary writing the emails.

 

[sammie]

Hilary!!!! Well there's your problem!!!

 

[jdieck]

I recently placed an order for a custom 225 gal bay style tank. so I just did some research on the background of several profesional tank manufacturers and the ones that came on top were:
Envision Acrylics, Tenecor and Acrylic Tank Manufacturing.
The three came with quotes very close to each other.
I have detail drawings of the custom bay aquarium I can e-mail you the file (send me your e-mail if you like as the attachment is 800K). The drawing may give you a good idea of what they are working on and how I tried to specify everithing to leave little room for deviation or short cuts.
Although I am sure you may get lower pricing it has been my bitter experience that it comes at a price. Usually thinner material which causes excessibe bowng and require smaller holes on top that are a pita to work trough, imported chinese acrylic with uneven surfaces, partial finishing and polishing, bubbly joints, flame corner polishing that creates crassing rather than hand polishing, etc.

 

[avaloncourt]

Tenecor's price isn't that far off Ostrom for the same size tank. It's the shipping that really hurts. We have one person who related his experience with this manufacturer.

On the update front:

I'm still waiting for the quote finalization response. It's been three days. If I don't hear anything by Monday I'll have to call and see what the deal is. If this continues to be this way I'll just end up going through Tenecor.

 

[sabodish]

give andy at myreefcreations a call...he built my 180 cube and did an awesome job.