Closest Tank Manufacturer

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web104tv

New member
Hi All,
Trying to get into this amazing hobby, and I have been reading and reading about approaches I need to complete in purchasing an aquarium. I've been reading so much on to this hobby and becoming so addicted my wife is coming frustrated, and I don't even have a tank yet. I live in Thornton, Colorado and I was thinking about having glasscages.com making me a glass 300g tank. Their in Dickson TN. They will be in New Mexico at the end of May and I figured I could shoot down there and grab it without paying shipping costs. Of course now that I think about it. It may cost me 300.00 dollars to drive my Tahoe down there and back. I can't make my mind up in what I want. I want to purchase one tank that will last a while. This is probably a humerous question but are there any altitude considerations? Are there any tank manufacturers near by? I have looked at some acrylic tanks and they all seem to have scratches on them and I just don't know if that will be acceptable for me. However, I want a tank that will last more than 10years and not leak is most important to me. I'm thinking about building my own stand and nailing the 2X4's to the studs of my wall and then drywalling the stand to make it look like its part of the house. The stand will be 32WX36H. I will put two sliding wood doors to access equipment stained to match the wood in my living room. I was thinking about installing a couple drains under this stand as well (since my basement isn't finished). Also I was thinking about putting the sump, skimmer, in my basement and running lines up to aquarium. What do you guys think of my game plan?
 
Web,
I got my 375 from Aquarium Obsessed. I am happy with it but there are some things I would have had them do different. If you want to stop by and check mine out and I'll give you an idea of what I would change. I am also plumbed into the basement so you can take a look at that also.
Steve
 
300 gallon tank

300 gallon tank

I think you should talk to Randy over at Plasticare Inc
4211 S Natches Ct Englewood, CO (303) 781-1171
before you totally rule out an acrylic tank. This guy has been making tanks for over 30 years. In my opinion the scratches you see or hear about on acrylic tanks is from abuse. Remember if you bump two tanks the glass one will break before the acrylic tank.

My 2 cents
 
The other obvious question that has to be asked is, "Why custom?" There are several good reasons to do it (non-standard size requirements, starfire glass, end or center overflows for a room divider tank, etc.) but if none of them apply you could probably save a bunch of money by going with a stock size.

Gary
 
Hi artful dodger,
It doesn't need to be custom. I just need a tank that is close to 300 gallons and maximum 72L and max 36W. So far it looks like alot of people prefer acrylic for bigger aquariums in Colorado. Does seem more easily to move. I'm not going to pay anyone to help me move a 1000lbs glass aquarium. So far what I have gathered is acrylic seems more appropriate for larger tanks. My aquarium will run parallel with the concrete foundation and will be perpindicularly centered above a steel beam in the floor below it. Should I go for a 500 gallon. Nah.
 
My vote is acrylic also. The only way I would ever go back to glass would be Starfire but for the price just couldn't see that. I just had a 150 made and had a quote from Miracles in Glass for Starfire and almost passed out! I know my tank is only 1/2 the size you are looking for and not plumed the way you want but if you want to come take a look at mine you are more than welcome to. I had a guy in AZ make it for me and think he did a great job. As for rock look at http://www.reefermadness.us/ also. Are you going to buy all the rock at one time? You may even find that some shops (even local) will give you a deal on a huge amount so you may want to call first. It also is going to depend on what type you want. I went with Kaelini and love it. Also look at reefermadness new Aquarium discount page for the deal on live stock they give you. Some people like the TBS http://www.tbsaltwater.com/ rock and they do a cool package thing also but I didn't want to do all the work of getting all the bad critters out.
 
Buy lots of base rock and a lesser amount of live rock. Check Dr. Mac for imported rock...when they have something on sale, it has been the best pricing I've seen. Also you need to at least check out Tampa Bay Saltwater...I haven't used them but there are lots of posts about the diversity of life on their rock. It ain't cheap, though.

If it were me on with a really big tank, I'd get my tank cycled with 50% base rock and 25% live rock. Then I'd order the last 25% from TBS and do the first part of their package, wait for a month and then add the second part.
 
That size would be awfully heavy in glass...I think that the largest Oceanic makes, for instance, is 215. I would definitely go with acrylic (or concrete :p).
 
I would go acrylic for the size you are looking for! A 300 in glass would be a back bracker! My 180 that I tore down was glass and it took four of use to move it. My 300 cube that I up graded to is acrylic and two of us moved it to my basment with ease. It was built local as well.
Martin
 
If you are going the 300 route and need live rock. Maybe you should buy some rubbermaid tubs(you'll need them anyways), stick the base rock in there with some very high quality LR. Might lose some of the photosythetic stuff but then you'll have cured LR when youhave your tank come in.
 
Thanks rkl303. That has crossed my mind. I have read forums state that you should use lights to cure rocks and then I have read you shouldn't. I'm working on getting my hands on some more equipment that I can use for a quarantine tank for my 300 gallon. I was thinkinig about using that same equipment to cure my rock in rubbermaid totes or trash cans.
 
web,

this weekend there are a couple of new reefer meetings where many topics such as glass and acrylic will be discussed. The goal of the meeting is not to create conformity, but to present thoughts, opinions and material to help all of us become more successful at reefkeeping.

The thread is a sticky on the top. You are closer to Cris on Sunday and his tank is simply nothing short of fabulous.

Kip
 
Did I miss this thread for the meeting being this weekend? I think it has it listed as the 26? If not please post when and time.
 
You may not have seen my thread since you are new, but I had a 120g glass tank pee all over my new house and carpet a few weeks back.
It was lilke a new puppy, but this puppy had a 120g bladder. The carpeting pad had to be replaced and it was a total disaster. I will NEVER go glass again after that madness.
I purchased a new 150g acrylic tank from Plasticare in Denver. I am taking my time setting up the tank so I have not yet posted any pictures. I still need to get with Kip on the plumbing.
My stand/canopy should be ready next Friday so I will show you some pics of the tank then.
For better piece of mind I recommend acrylic. Sure it scratches, but I would rather have a scrath than a GIANT crack!
Hope this helps.
 
Kip,
Thanks for the info. on the meetings. I don't think I will make it this week because I work full time and I'm a full time student. I have midterms coming up and I've got behind in my work dreaming and sleeping this awesome hobby. Its almost 11pm and I've been on this forum since 8:30a.m. LOL...
 
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