CustomAquariums.com Reviews Needed

[CuzzA]

So, I'm working on an upgrade to a 96x30x24. I've been searching for that size tank and came across this company. www.customaquariums.com

Their prices appear to be excellent, even considering starfire and/or tempered glass panes. A 96x30x24 starts at $1398 including crated curbside delivery.

They offer these H20 Overflows and claim they can handle 1,200 gph or more. I'm not sure how, but the guy I talked to guaranteed it and said it can handle more than what they list. They are $70 each. I'm thinking I would need 3.

They also offer their Siphon Stopper returns for $27 each. They are locline compatible. But at a 1/2 inch I don't think that would be big enough for a tank this size.

They charge $25 per drilled hole. So, 7 holes is $175. I would probably temper the back pane.

They offer baked enamel paint on the back glass. For this size tank it would be $128. I would do black.

The tank braces are made from anodized aluminum.

I don't care for their Seamless Sump. Seems to be more for freshwater. I'll probably go with a DIY 75 gallon.

For what it's worth, I asked the guy why they're much less expensive than other custom tank builders and he said they build everything in house including all of the parts. The only thing that is outsourced is the tempering of the glass.

So, can anyone offer their thoughts, reviews or experiences?

I ask that you use good decorum if you had a bad experience and just list the issues you had. No name calling, etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[ThaBeast]

Following along, looking for similar sized tank in the spring

 

[Reefer PT]

I hope someone can answer you. I was looking at there 300g the other day. Prices are very attractive. Of course If I'm getting into a 300g I should just forget the price of stuff now.

 

[CuzzA]

I hope someone can answer you. I was looking at there 300g the other day. Prices are very attractive. Of course If I'm getting into a 300g I should just forget the price of stuff now.

Right. Lol. They sound like they know what they're doing. I really like the aluminum bracing considering all the tanks I've seen lately where the plastic braces have failed.

After some more thought, I think I would temper the bottom pane and not the back. Incase I needed to drill more holes. Also, I'm unsure about 1/2 glass, but it is 24 inches tall which I believe is the max for 1/2 inch.

I've asked Uncleof6 to chime in. Hopefully others with large tanks can add some insight.

I'm looking at using a Sicce Syncra 16 pump rated at 3466 gph at 5 feet of head. So I'm curious if the 3 overflows would be enough and if I could in fact use their 1/2 inch returns.

 

[watsonj]

I have had a few aluminum braced tanks in the UK that were anodized they corroded like a mother at the joints.

 

[CuzzA]

I have had a few aluminum braced tanks in the UK that were anodized they corroded like a mother at the joints.

Hmm, I wonder if they used a different metal to weld the joints. From being a boat owner and living next to the Gulf, mixing metals is guaranteed to corrode. The aluminum should also be coated with zinc chromate prior to powder coating.

But I'm glad you mentioned it. I'll be sure to ask the manufacturer.

 

[watsonj]

It always occurred over time anytime the anodizing gets scratched and exposes bare metal, also when they would weld already anodized aluminum so the weld area ended up being untreated and corrode.

 

[CuzzA]

So, after doing some calculations it appears I would need 4 of those overflows to handle my intended pump. "If" I even go that route. Coast to coast would be the best solution, but also the most expensive and would take up a lot of room behind the tank that frankly I don't have.

Also, as for their siphon stopper, it would require 7 of their 1/2 returns to handle the pumps output. So those are definitely out. I'll likely just DIY 4 1" returns over the rim to minimize the amount of holes going through the back glass and of course add siphon breaks to each of them.

I am on the fence, however, as to which panes to temper. I'm leaning toward the bottom only. Also, I don't think the starfire is not necessary. Kind of like comparing two HD tv's at the store, but once you get the lesser one home it's impossible to tell that much of a difference. Plus my understanding is starfire is a weaker glass and less scratch resistant due to striping of the iron in the product.

My next dilemma is if it's necessary or wise to go 3/4" glass on the bottom pane. If it's tempered my understanding is the glass strength increases substantially. However a deep scratch from any live rock would create a weak point and possible failure. And obviously thicker is better. This tank will be sitting on a powder coated steel stand.

Perhaps I'm answer my own questions here, but I would still like to hear some more insight from those with large tank experience. If this thread doesn't get anymore activity, maybe a mod can move it to a more suitable forum.

 

[jschultzbass]

On a tank that big, is it really worth getting the bare minimum? At that price it sounds like that would be what you're getting. I might be totally wrong though since I don't know the company. My 300 was made by AGE who uses powder coated stainless steel for bracing and a 1" PVC bottom. Couldn't be happier.

 

[CuzzA]

On a tank that big, is it really worth getting the bare minimum? At that price it sounds like that would be what you're getting. I might be totally wrong though since I don't know the company. My 300 was made by AGE who uses powder coated stainless steel for bracing and a 1" PVC bottom. Couldn't be happier.

On the company website you can upgrade whatever you like. Like I said, "starting at". I'm not suggesting bare minimum, more like sufficent. Sure, I could overkill everything, but how much of a difference is it going to make, besides my checking account balance?

You haven't really answered my questions. I could go 3/4 inch tempered all the way round, but is it necessary. I don't know. From all the research I've done so far it appears that 1/2 is more than sufficent for the front, back and sides. But I haven't found any info on how thick the bottom should be. I assume it should be tempered because almost all tank manufacturers temper the bottom glass.

I would have to believe aluminium bracing would be more than suffcient given a lot of the name brand tank manufacturers are using plastic or glass on their large tanks.

Again my concerns are the overflows and how to go about choosing which glass thickness and which panes to temper.

 

[mtlreeffreak]

tagging along..

 

[watsonj]

This is a brand new company (Aug this year) can they give any references?

 

[CuzzA]

This is a brand new company (Aug this year) can they give any references?

So, I just got off the phone with them and you are correct. Apparently their parent company is Serenity Aquarium Service which has been around for a few years setting up systems for hospitals, business, etc. Basically for companies wanting to lease a system and pay for the maintenance. Interesting concept.

The main company is Serenity Aviary Services which I was told has been around for 17 years and has done projects for Busch Gardens, Zoos, Jack Hanna, etc.

Of course none of that really matters. The only thing that matters is getting a quality build. I asked about doing a PVC bottom and he said he would get back to me by Monday.

He's also a member here at Reef Central, so perhaps they will chime in as I told him about the thread I started.

 

[Shawn O]

Their tanks look pretty good but did you see the prices of their stands and canopies? Seems way too much for a basic stand with not much room for customization. All canopies are open-topped, which seems like it would kind of limit light mounting internally.

Requested quotes for their 48"x18"x24" and a 60"x18"x24" tank. The 48 was around $475 plus hole cutting and the 60" jumped up to about $900. :O

Seems odd that many companies don't do a 60" long tank. 48" is a bit short for the area I want a tank and 72" is just a bit too long.

 

[CuzzA]

Their tanks look pretty good but did you see the prices of their stands and canopies? Seems way too much for a basic stand with not much room for customization. All canopies are open-topped, which seems like it would kind of limit light mounting internally.

Requested quotes for their 48"x18"x24" and a 60"x18"x24" tank. The 48 was around $475 plus hole cutting and the 60" jumped up to about $900. :O

Seems odd that many companies don't do a 60" long tank. 48" is a bit short for the area I want a tank and 72" is just a bit too long.

I didn't even look at the stand and canopy pricing. When I researched for my 90 I thought all of the companies out there were out of their mind. So I built my own for about $300 and it's much nicer than anything I could buy. This build is going on a steel stand and DIY skin.

As for the 90 I got an Aqueon new from a dealer for $325 including the overflow. So now you got me wondering if their prices are that much better than others. Hmmm. Although Aqueon is not custom and they're pumping out tanks like Model T's.

 

[watsonj]

Did you buy a tank from these guys yet?

 

[kybreos]

I vote no on the aluminum, old fish tanks use to come with them. For freshwater they are fine but saltwater is no good. You get a light shock and eventually you will get pitting. Trust me about 25 yrs ago I had one. I also would go 3/4 inch all the way around and the bottom. Temper the bottom for sure too.

 

[Shawn O]

I didn't even look at the stand and canopy pricing. So I built my own for about $300 and it's much nicer than anything I could buy. This build is going on a steel stand and DIY skin.

Just the bare smaller tank was $475, with stand & canopy it was around $1,400~1,500. Granted, they have nice looking stands but still essentially basic in that they have two doors on the front and it is one single compartment inside. I'd rather have one end a separate compartment for the associated electronics to prevent moisture or splash damage. Maybe it's just me.

 

[CuzzA]

Did you buy a tank from these guys yet?

No. I've decided to use a coast to coast overflow. This company does not do anything custom. Only tank and drilling holes, that's it.

I vote no on the aluminum, old fish tanks use to come with them. For freshwater they are fine but saltwater is no good. You get a light shock and eventually you will get pitting. Trust me about 25 yrs ago I had one. I also would go 3/4 inch all the way around and the bottom. Temper the bottom for sure too.

Water under the bridge at this point as I won't be using this company. However, if done right Aluminum can be corrosion resistant. As evidence from aluminum boats and boat parts.

Just the bare smaller tank was $475, with stand & canopy it was around $1,400~1,500. Granted, they have nice looking stands but still essentially basic in that they have two doors on the front and it is one single compartment inside. I'd rather have one end a separate compartment for the associated electronics to prevent moisture or splash damage. Maybe it's just me.

Yes, typically of most stands you would buy from retailers. For that kind of customization you would have to DIY or order it custom from a builder.