Glass Cages or Miricles

[mojo~]

Ok everyone. I have searched and read, searched some more. I have tow quotes in front of me and am ready to order one. Tank from miracles is about $1000, and the glass cages tank is about $475 for the same tank. Thats delivery fee included.

Now I have read all the posts about the glass cages tanks. Does anyone have anything good to say about them? any pics of there work maybe?

Thanks Much
Mojo~

 

[xmadcowx]

I don't know about tank crashes anymore, but their silicone work is done by 6 year olds. That said, I'm pretty happy with my tank from them. Would I buy something larger?...probably not. My next tank (possibly a 120) is going to be from Marineland.

 

[ChadTheSpike]

My thoughts on glass cages:

It will do the job. However, workmanship is something left to be desired. I have seen a bunch of examples from them (used to work in aquarium service), almost all had something (frame joint not fitting together properly, excessive gap in the glass cut for the eurobrace filled with silicone, silicone in places it shouldnt be, sloppy silicone work, etc. etc. etc.). If you are looking for a tank that will do the job, by all means go with them, they are about the most affordable custom tank maker around. If the quality is important to you, look elsewhere and pay more.

Me, if it were for a sump or refugium or grow-out tank etc., I would buy from them. A DT that I want in my living room, I would buy from someone else.

 

[rbnice1]

I got a custom 155 from them. Very slippy silicone which took about 5 minutes to clean up. The did the return hole in the wrong place. It is off by 6 inches but its ok. It is built like a brick house tho.

Its really hit or miss with them. It a pole barn out in the middle of no ware full of illegals bulding tanks. When we went to pick up our tank only 1 of them spoke english.

All that said I am happy with my tank, but next time would prob spend the extra money on another company.

 

[SkyPapa]

I had them build a 36 x 24 x 12 in. 3 sided rimless starphire peninsular style and when people see my tanks for the first time after they say, wow, big tank (180g), they like the little GC starphire best. Maybe its's the starphire.
As said, the silicone was a little sloppy but it is built from 1/2 glass like a brick... outhouse.

 

[Rouselb]

I have been pricing and designing my new tank for months. I have quotes from GC (cheapest), AGE, Miracles, Coast to Coast, and Im leaning towards Miracles. They have excellent customer service. AGE is a close second, but their customer service is terrible. Its hard to get them to call or email. I considered GC (due to cost), but no one has a good opinion and every tank Iv seen from them has at least one issue. JMO, but go with Miracles or a company that has great customer service up front.

 

[SkyPapa]

I had GC make this 36 x 24 x 12 starphire rimless. last summer.
As said the silicone was a little sloppy but I am happy overall.

Sorry no closeups.

 

[strout]

I also have been shopping around for a tank and have priced all most all of the companies the same as you. My advice is the same as ChadtheSpikes, if it were just a sump buy the GC tank, if its going in your living room buy a quality tank. I myself am going to order from Miracles. Great tank, great customer service, you can't beat them. Well Lee Mar makes a great tank also.

 

[Kshack]

They did a 250 gal starfire for me. Holes exactly where they should be. The silicone was sloppy, took some time to clean that up. I spend more time looking through the tank and not at it. I would do it again and spend the savings on other equipment or animals.

 

[chriscobb]

I've used GC a 3 times and all 3 tanks were big, the smallest being a 180.....All 3 tanks were eurobraced with NO cross bracing as well. Alll 3 tanks were good, no issues....silicone could have been alittle neater, but nothing I couldn't clean up in a couple minutes.....All holes were drilled correctly (size and placement). On one of the tanks the 240, I had them drill the eurobracing to make plumbing the OM easier!!!!!

Alot of people complain abou the customer service being rude or what not, but in all my dealings with Tom and his wife was actually very good.....All said I would order again from them.

 

[mojo~]

Thank you all. Thanks for the pics. Tank looks great.

 

[broke1]

I agree with all of the above. I am more than happy with my both my tanks built by them, except for the silicone.

 

[lo7100]

mojo, you upgrade again??

 

[eyebedam]

I have a 180 from GC. No issues as of yet. I've been happy with it. If & when I do another tank it's gonna be a ELOS style tank & I'll more than likely have GC build it for me.

 

[epleeds]

Mojo,

I have heard all the horror stories with GC, but I have not heard a bad word about Miracles. In the end, $500 for better customer service and quality...priceless

 

[tmgrash]

I got my 240g with starfire front glass and am happy with it. As others have said the silicone work was sloppy, but the savings was well worth the 10 mins it took to clean it up! Actually, I cant figure out why they dont just clean it up when they build it. To me it is kind of silly not to take an extra 10 mins to clean the thing up and then they wouldnt have all their customers complaining about their sloppy habits. Its almost like they just wipe their hands and tools clean on your tank and then ship it to you, weird.

 

[SkyPapa]

I have no statistics but I would bet that GC sells a lot more tanks than miracles therefore you here more about GC.
No doubt , from the few mentions of miracle I've seen, they build a nice tank.
But they are also in Canada, aren't they?

In the end you get what you pay for, mostly.
Still happy with my gc.

 

[mojo~]

yea I am stll torn, Yes I will be ordering a tank by the end of the week. Going to be selling my 57 rimless illuminata

 

[mojo~]

I have no statistics but I would bet that GC sells a lot more tanks than miracles therefore you here more about GC.
No doubt , from the few mentions of miracle I've seen, they build a nice tank.
But they are also in Canada, aren't they?

In the end you get what you pay for, mostly.
Still happy with my gc.

I would agree with that. have seen one miracles tank in person and its what I am wanting. Just hate to see the extra $$ go. I am not sure I like the delivery on gc either. if something comes up and I can get there then I am SOL. With the other tank it will be delivered to ups frieght and I pick it up there.

Still scratching my head. Tank will be 48x24x18

 

[wdt2000]

Factory fresh from GC, I am happy so far

With water

The stands are PoS if you ask me though. My thoughts were I would have a nice sump if the tank turned out badly. It was very nice.

I also had very good luck with customer service, they were always very polite.