Guidance On This Build Please.....

[BigBoi5680]

I am in the early stages of planning a new tank build and would like some insights and suggestions from the pros.

First, a little background....my current tank is a Perfecto 225 gallon (or so....its 72X24X30) and I run a 48 gallon sump with a Reef Octo 300SS skimmer and a WB7000 internal pump. For flow, I have 2 3/4 Sea Swirls and 2 MP40s. Lighting is provided by 3 Gen 2Radions.

I finally got my wife to sign-off on a larger tank! After I let her start picking out some fish, she was all for going bigger! The plan is.....to take EVERYTHING out of the living room and have only the TANK and a couch on the opposite wall....and the TV mounted over the fireplace of course. So the tank WILL be the focal point of the living room....which is why I decided on a 375 gallon (96x30x30)....that and because the wall runs between the bedroom entry way and the foyer and will fit 96" perfectly! She is all in, as long as I make sure that aesthetics remain a priority! That being said, I reached out to Reef Savvy for a quote, which came back a bit more than what I wanted to budget for a tank, about 3k more actually, which I TOTALLY understand because of their rep and quality! I just need to explore some more options first.

I was really impressed by the ghost overflow system they have, and was wondering if I got the tank built by another company, could I still use the ghost overflows with them if purchased separately??

Also, what skimmer would you all recommend? I ideally would want a cone style skimmer with an internal pump for space concerns.......Ive had my Reef Octopus for a while now so I am not up to date on the latest and greatest.

What about lighting suggestions!?

Any other reputable tank builders I should reach out too that could make that tank for around 4-5k!?

Thank you.

 

[shocker444]

Hi i ordered my 800 gallon tank 96x48x40 from D.A.S aquariums and it was vary reasonable priced but that is glass not sure if you want acrylic and as far as the ghost overflow they will drill it any way you want your paying for it its up to you i was back and forth with them on my design till it was wright the ghost overflow is really sweet and I'm going with super reef octopus 9000 they make the best stuff i think now if money is an issue then glass cage is super affordable and despite what people say i just got a 180 tall from them and while i was caring it on a dolly it fell on me i lost my footing and down it and me went from 6 feet not a thing happened to it built like a brick **** house just got to clean up some extra silicon in some areas with a razor blade not a big deal but again thats glass hope this helps good luck with your build

 

[Reel North]

I just ordered a custom from Miracles here in Canada. It's a 315 gallon 84x 36 wide x 24 tall. All 5/8" class, eurobraced with a full calflo coast to coast drilled with a bean animal overflow. It's an in wall, so the front panel is Starphire.

Keep in mind that since you are in the states, the currency exchange alone will save you almost 25%.

Give Miracles aquarium a call. They have a great reputation and you can order it any way you want.

Check out calfo overflows, they are dead silent and unbelievablely efficient at skimming.

For a tank this size you will want a MINIMUM of 5/8" glass with eurobracing.

 

[deleau]

Planet Aquariums in Texas made my tank which it a bit smaller than your new tank, and I saw a recent tank built by them at a LFS that was almost your exact dimensions. I'm really impressed with my tank and recommend them. They only sell through a retailer, so you'd need to get in touch with a LFS to get you a quote and such, but they are very good about building it exactly how you want it.

There are multiple quality tank builders out there; no harm in contacting all of them for quotes, ideas, etc. and work with who makes you the most comfortable.

 

[Ricardo18]

Check out REEFSAVVY in Miami. They ship Nation wide.They built my 550 and the quality is superb. They are not cheap, but they are worth it. Felix is the contact (owner).He uses a "Ghost" overflow that is low profile and very unique.

 

[Finland]

I got quotes from several tank builders for my 280 ( 72X36X25). I ended up going with Miracles and couldn't be happier. Quality tank.

 

[Reel North]

Hey Finland. How do you like the 36 wide?

 

[Finland]

I am really happy I went 36. So much more you can do with aquascape.

 

[BigBoi5680]

@Ricardo18 I got a quote from Reef Savvy, it was just a bit more than I wanted to budget for the tank itself, but understandably so because their work is pretty amazing from what I've seen! Wanted to explore some more cost conscious alternatives first as I'm sure others are capable of great tank production as well!

Finland do you have a difficult time working in the back of the tank @ 36" ftb!?

 

[CuzzA]

I just purchased a starphire 96x30x24 from customaquariums.com. I'm expecting delivery any day, so the only review I can offer at the moment is their pricing is fantastic. The parent company is Serenity Aquariums. They cornered an aquarium leasing market where they set up tanks (mostly freshwater) in hospitals, doctors offices, nursing homes and businesses and charge money to lease the aquarium and maintain it. Recently they started offering their aquariums direct to the public which includes shipping and a lifetime warranty if you use their stand. I'm using a steel stand, but I thought the lifetime warranty speaks volumes to the fact they stand behind their product.

Anyway, they don't offer any type of overflow that would work well in a marine tank. Their patented H2Overflow and 1/2" Siphon Stopper are definitely better suited for freshwater. But they can drill holes wherever you want. So I too will be using an internal/external overflow with a bean drain. I'll just have a local acrylic fabricator make it instead of them. I suspect they will eventually start offering better overflows as they gain popularity.

Here's a link to their website. It looks like for you a starphire 96x30x30 with 3/4" glass would be $3,350 including shipping. I bet that's probably a third to half of some of the quotes you've been receiving. I'll be sure to post a detailed review with pictures once I receive the tank.

http://customaquariums.com/p-81-400-gallon-glass-aquarium-30h-x-96l-x-30d.aspx

 

[BigBoi5680]

Wow @CuzzA!! I will definitely be tuned in to see how your setup goes!! And you're right about the pricing I've received thus far too! Lol.

 

[Finland]

I guess I should have mentioned that it is a peninsula with an external overflow on the end.

 

[jjk_reef00]

I guess I should have mentioned that it is a peninsula with an external overflow on the end.

Only the best I see! I love peninsula tanks. You will still want access from both sides even at 30". My tank is 375 acrylic FOWL so I'm hardly ever in it and there is no way I would want to try to work in a large tank having access to only one side. Make pannels in the wall, whatever you have to do but plan for easy access with a lot of clearance above the tank.