Petsmart starphire tanks

[widmer]

This is going to sound like a pretty unintelligible claim because I have no pictures and don't remember the specific names but-

I was at petsmart a few days ago and whatever their store brand aquarium is, is apparently now made with starphire-type glass. They are marketing it as "optically clear". The prices of course have gone up too, but it's very reasonable as compared to standard starphire tanks. I googled it to no avail. If they've caught onto low-iron glass maybe they will eventually produce some cool rimless tanks, in which case I'd be interested.

Anyone else notice these?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I'll have to make a trip to see. Do you remember approx size and prices?

 

[jvdb]

Re: Petsmart starphire tanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14693111#post14693111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by widmer
low-lead glass

I think you mean low-iron glass.

 

[widmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14693125#post14693125 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
I'll have to make a trip to see. Do you remember approx size and prices?

As far as I could tell, they had practically replaced their entire inventory - from 10 to 125 gallons, including bowfronts for those who swing that way (that's not me though)

 

[widmer]

Re: Re: Petsmart starphire tanks

Re: Re: Petsmart starphire tanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14693139#post14693139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jvdb
I think you mean low-iron glass.

I definitely meant low-iron glass. I think I've been spending too much time in front of my cathode ray tube (they avg 9 lbs of lead per TV).

 

[davocean]

There are some brands making a low iron glass.
It's much cheaper to make in China, due to lack of EPA regs.
I presently have a low iron rimless 65g that was made by or for Current USA, it was there demo.
I believe this is what their cubes are made of, and good chance thats what you saw.

 

[widmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14693401#post14693401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
There are some brands making a low iron glass.
It's much cheaper to make in China, due to lack of EPA regs.

Could you elaborate on this or provide a source?

 

[davocean]

I don't know what to elaborate on, and gave you one source, the only one I know.

 

[widmer]

That is a claim, no source or reasoning is listed.

If I have no problem believing that EPA regulations are lower in China, it still doesn't illustrate any reason that it should be more preferable to make low-iron glass over there.

What is it about the manufacturing process that would make it much cheaper to manufacture if you don't have to follow which EPA regulation?

It's super important to back up some of these claims we're making with facts or reasoning otherwise we're just gossiping like geese.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14695190#post14695190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by widmer
That is a claim, no source or reasoning is listed.

If you would have read the post it clearly says

"I presently have a low iron rimless 65g that was made by or for Current USA, it was there demo.
I believe this is what their cubes are made of, and good chance thats what you saw."


If you want more information contact Current USA or Top Fin.

 

[widmer]

Please read carefully before posting, I'm referring to the claim that a lot of low-iron glass is made in China because EPA regulations can be ignored over there. Current USA is not going to tell me "yea we make low-iron glass over there because we can ignore EPA regulations".

I'm still wondering what the origin of that claim is, otherwise I see no reason to believe it, and instead pass it off as an unfounded assumption that someone made at some point.

 

[davocean]

Dude, just answering your original question.
Not trying to start a debate on EPA laws, oversea manufacturing policies or any other crud.
You asked, I answered.
Yes, there are other companies making low iron glass, and proof is sitting right in front of me.
Gave you company name.
Want all the details or for them to elaborate, call them/mail them yourself, I'm not going to do everything for you.
And chill out, I come here to help/give exp/input, and don't expect to be bashed for that!

 

[sassafrass]

Ya know I get all defensive when I'm caught in a lie too !!!

 

[chimmike]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14695190#post14695190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by widmer
That is a claim, no source or reasoning is listed.

If I have no problem believing that EPA regulations are lower in China, it still doesn't illustrate any reason that it should be more preferable to make low-iron glass over there.

What is it about the manufacturing process that would make it much cheaper to manufacture if you don't have to follow which EPA regulation?

You're in college? Have you ever taken business classes?

Do you understand why manufacturing is overseas in countries where workers get paid $0.05/day?

Think about it. Less/no regulations=
1) Less overhead (manufacturer's base costs such as power, water, insurance, amenities for employees)
2) Labor costs less
3) Product manufacturing using hazardous materials has less stringent environmental/employee protection regulations (which directly correlates to lower overhead costs)
4) Cheaper materials costs due to all reasons above

No company is going to tell you they're making something somewhere to avoid environmental regulations, and nobody is making that claim. What they'll tell you is their margin is better if they can manufacture a product somewhere that their costs will be a fraction of what they would here in the states.

 

[96p993]

How quick can you people derail a thread??!!

 

[BrassMonkey]

can anyone put some demensions and prices up when they can.
low iron looks sooo much nicer.

 

[widmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14697281#post14697281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 96p993
How quick can you people derail a thread??!!

lol no kidding.

But even after the sensational commentary, we seem to be lacking an external source that says the low-iron glass in our aquariums is manufactured in China because it's cheaper because they can pollute more when it's made there.

Basically, my motivation to find the proof of this statement (which still eludes me (and after all that energy chimmike)), is because I suppose it might subtract a little bit of the enjoyment fro the starphire tank owners if they felt like the environment got dumped on for them to have clearer glass.

 

[chimmike]

to be honest with you, people buying starphire tanks (the majority of them) are already going to be consuming a large amount of electricity in utilization of the tank, via lights, equipment, etc.....so while it's politically correct to 'think about the environment', I'd say one out of maybe every 200 people buying starphire tanks thinks to themselves "I wonder if the production of this glass caused damage to the environment".

The number skyrockets with anyone buying a tank from petsmart, IMO.

regardless, as has been the problem in the past in so many other areas, quality control would be my concern for a high quality tank manufactured in china.

 

[dcombs44]

To the OP, I don't see what you're driving at. I don't see where anybody made any false claim about anything.

Davocean just made a statement to support why more companies are and will be providing the Starphire tanks that you asked about. I don't think anybody has derailed the thread except for the OP by badgering somebody that responded to his question.

It's a simple fact and common knowledge that many US companies or any other company that sells products in the US often don't manufacture their goods in the US simply because it's cheaper to do it elsewhere.

Take a pill man, as it seems you have access to many

In relation to the original post, I'll be going to Petsmart to check on those tanks.

 

[davocean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14696793#post14696793 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sassafrass
Ya know I get all defensive when I'm caught in a lie too !!!

Who lied?
Look, I was given a tank by a local supplier, the person that gave it to me told me they were having low iron glass made in China, because it's much cheaper due to less restrictions.
I'm not a rep for that company, so I have no specific documentation.
If you want that it's pretty simple, E-mail Petco, or one of companies who's tanks they sell.