Squidmotron
New member
I am thinking of doing this, as I'm not the DIY type. What are the pitfalls of hiring someone to do this type of project. Is it much more expensive than a standard tank/stand?
Having a custom tank/stand built
- Thread starter Squidmotron
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Squidmotron
New member
Yeah. I assume it will be more expensive but I was curious if it's WAY MORE expensive or just a little more expensive. Probably a dumb question as it depends upon what I ask for.
I may just go the route of getting a stock tank/stand and modifying it. For instance, I'm very much amazed that no tank stands I see anywhere have backs. I would love to use my tank as a room divider with well-placed holes for outside access. I also see there are no tanks that are 7 feet long which is absolutely the perfect length for where I want to put it, etc.. Oh well. We'll see I guess. I wish I was handier.
I may just go the route of getting a stock tank/stand and modifying it. For instance, I'm very much amazed that no tank stands I see anywhere have backs. I would love to use my tank as a room divider with well-placed holes for outside access. I also see there are no tanks that are 7 feet long which is absolutely the perfect length for where I want to put it, etc.. Oh well. We'll see I guess. I wish I was handier.
Squidmotron
New member
Kind of. I guess you're scaring me away from the idea.
As a greenhorn, I basically got my current 135 gallon setup from someone for free. Apparently, it's difficult to get rid of this stuff.
The stand is obviously homemade and one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. It also has no room for anything underneath so that has presented an enormous problem for me as I expand what I'm trying to do. The tank is not drilled at all and has a big overflow box. It also has a giant brace in the middle that blocks a lot of light.
I recognize that I could probably get a stock stand/tank that fixes 95% of these issues I have with it.
I was curious, however, since I was upgrading if I could go for tank nirvana and get exactly the right thing... yes... furniture, if you will, that fits the room nicely. But I'm not sure I want to pay up the nose. Will investigate more, however. A year and a half ago I went cheap getting in to see how I felt about the hobby. Turns out I love it. Now I feel like I know what I want better.
As a greenhorn, I basically got my current 135 gallon setup from someone for free. Apparently, it's difficult to get rid of this stuff.
The stand is obviously homemade and one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. It also has no room for anything underneath so that has presented an enormous problem for me as I expand what I'm trying to do. The tank is not drilled at all and has a big overflow box. It also has a giant brace in the middle that blocks a lot of light.
I recognize that I could probably get a stock stand/tank that fixes 95% of these issues I have with it.
I was curious, however, since I was upgrading if I could go for tank nirvana and get exactly the right thing... yes... furniture, if you will, that fits the room nicely. But I'm not sure I want to pay up the nose. Will investigate more, however. A year and a half ago I went cheap getting in to see how I felt about the hobby. Turns out I love it. Now I feel like I know what I want better.
The biggest monitary mistake people make in this hobby - IMO - is buying a cheap tank and thinking they are out of the woods financially. The reality is that a decent stand (if we are talking something approximating quality furniture) costs WAY more than a tank. Sorry.
That ignores all the other large costs of this hobby. But for some wacky reason, people focus on the cost of a tank, when - frankly - that's often one of the smaller costs. A decent stand is nearly always more than the regular full price of any tank.
But that's my observation. If others have seen different, please pipe in.
That ignores all the other large costs of this hobby. But for some wacky reason, people focus on the cost of a tank, when - frankly - that's often one of the smaller costs. A decent stand is nearly always more than the regular full price of any tank.
But that's my observation. If others have seen different, please pipe in.
Squidmotron
New member
Yeah, I noticed shopping around that even ordinary stands are not cheap and I wish I had paid more attention to the initial stand I was getting and what I could contain within it. What I have looks like a Frankestein of an aquarium right now as I can't even fit the ATO bucket inside. A big issue I want to address.
newreefer92
New member
I purchased a custom lee mar drilled overflow 125 gallon starfire glass reef aquarium. That tank was the most expensive piece of my hobby, my stand cost me 75 bucks to build.I can give you a couple of good ideas as far as weight allocation and specific needs for the stand. I am not a professional just a biochemist, but I might be able to help you out.
Squidmotron
New member
To be honest, I have never built a single thing. Ever. In my entire life. Sad but true. I can recognize the difference between hammer and nails and what probably hits what, but I think it would take me a long time to get up to speed.
Hey, can I hire you to build my tank?
Hey, can I hire you to build my tank?
biggles
Premium Member
Couldn't agree more. It never ceases to amaze me when i see a reefer hoping a second hand or new damaged tank etc will be ok to save money. Then they drop thousands on state of the art flow pumps and lighting etc. Considering the tank and a sturdy cabinet are all that stand between you and severe injury not to mention the financial loss in damaged equipment it should be your highest priority when planning a new system - i'm not directing this at you btw Squidmotron
A cabinet maker will cost you a fortune compared to DIY , i think 5-10 times the cost for a nicely finished unit. From what you've said i don't think you should attempt a DIY - no offense meant mate.
I think buying a reef tank stand from your LFS will be a good compromise and you can always go the custom cabinet on your tank upgrade ( the one you don't know will happen yet but it will once the reef bug bites you bad ) lol. Good luck whichever way you go my friend.
Squidmotron
New member
Well, I basically am of two minds about it.
On one hand, yes I agree that I wished I had gotten a more "ideal" setup in the first place.
On the other, my inexpensive tank and stand has been adequate to run a reef tank. It's just extremely ugly and twice as much effort as it would've been otherwise. The livestock has not suffered and I've never lost a fish. There's just all manner of tubes, pumps, and such going into and out of the stand that is horrid to behold. But it did get me into the hobby and allowed me to explore it quickly. Now after a few years it will no doubt be a lot of work to move stuff in a tank, but so be it.
The only reason I'm even considering the custom job is this *is* my upgrade. I'm ready for this to be the "final" tank per se... at least for a decade or so. I want something I'm comfortable with for the long haul.
But we'll see. I'm having someone come out today.
On one hand, yes I agree that I wished I had gotten a more "ideal" setup in the first place.
On the other, my inexpensive tank and stand has been adequate to run a reef tank. It's just extremely ugly and twice as much effort as it would've been otherwise. The livestock has not suffered and I've never lost a fish. There's just all manner of tubes, pumps, and such going into and out of the stand that is horrid to behold. But it did get me into the hobby and allowed me to explore it quickly. Now after a few years it will no doubt be a lot of work to move stuff in a tank, but so be it.
The only reason I'm even considering the custom job is this *is* my upgrade. I'm ready for this to be the "final" tank per se... at least for a decade or so. I want something I'm comfortable with for the long haul.
But we'll see. I'm having someone come out today.
d2mini
Premium Member
Check around your local clubs. There are lots of hobbyists out there that also do woodworking. I had my 135g cube's custom stand built for less than $500. I designed the look of it and handed over the reigns. The tank cost more than twice that.
Or look around for good cabinetry guys in your area. Will cost more, but IMHO it's important to make the stand fit the space it's placed in. And the opportunity to have it built to your spec (height, spill pan on the bottom, vents for humidity, a ledge around the tank, etc). This is worth the cost to me. If this is not as important to you, you can buy an off the shelf stand. Maybe a coat of paint or new stain is all you would need to do to make it work in your space.
Or look around for good cabinetry guys in your area. Will cost more, but IMHO it's important to make the stand fit the space it's placed in. And the opportunity to have it built to your spec (height, spill pan on the bottom, vents for humidity, a ledge around the tank, etc). This is worth the cost to me. If this is not as important to you, you can buy an off the shelf stand. Maybe a coat of paint or new stain is all you would need to do to make it work in your space.
biecacka
Active member
Check out the thread in the DIY forum on custom stands. It's helpful. Yes they can get expensive quickly but it's all perspective. A quote I just received for a custom 48/48/24 cube was 5100$ delivered. I hope my stand wouldn't cost more than that!!! :lol:
Agreed with Dennis check your club and see if anyone in your club does woodwork
Corey
Agreed with Dennis check your club and see if anyone in your club does woodwork
Corey
newreefer92
New member
I can build it if you like, you just pay for the shipping.
