Planning 400G build need opinions

[chris o]

I am planning my new 400G aquarium and want some opinions. I currently have a 230 but it just is not wide enough so I am upgrading to a 400G 72L X 42W X 30H (3/4 glass just I as current tank. Yes overkill). I am still on the fence on tank vendors and build style. I am looking at Customaquariums.com, AGE and reef savvy. My current is glass cages and have been happy with it but at this size and the mixed reviews I have elected not to look at them.
I have received two of the three quotes back and customaquariums is lower by almost 2.5 times. Don't get me wrong I am willing to pay for quality but can it be worth 2.5X? I am a little nervous about a framed tank (customaquariums ) that big because it seems like you would want the bottom fully supported but they say it will be no issue. The other vendors get rave reviews and is full bottom supported hybrid but again 2.5 makes me question it. I am interested in people's perspective or even other suggestions.

Thanks
Chris

 

[chris o]

Anyone?

 

[jbvdhp]

Lol congrats but give it some time... Some one will answer you I'm sure


Sent using your IP address

 

[sfsuphysics]

Well CustomAquariums definitely puts out some inexpensive tanks, can't say too much about them though other than they're rock bottom cheap, cheaper than Glass Cages even IIRC. Now how is their build quality? I can't say, I don't think they've been doing these aquariums for very long so they don't have a huge track record. There are a few people on RC who have build threads, the one guy with the 720-2 thread I believe is still on page 1 of the Large Tank forum.

That said, ask yourself "is this tank I want to last for 10-15 years?" If yes, then I would do a quick calculation of everything you plan on buying for this tank, then do a quick calculation of electrical & other maintenance (salt, etc) costs over the next 10 years or so. And see if 2.5x the cost of the tank is still significant. It very well may be, but there's a chance it might not too.

Quite a few people (me) would go with the cheaper one because it's cheaper, and every dollar saved is a useful dollar. Others realize that it's going to cost a butt load of money anyways, so might as well go with the one who has a proven track record even if it's significant more upfront cost.

 

[jrpdriver]

if you are already nervous about the other builders you mentioned, it will constantly be on your mind, pay the extra money and sleep at night.

 

[chris o]

Any opinions on standard frame style aquarium (all the weight on the frame edges)vs. "flat bottom".

I am also curious on peoples experience with reef savvy as I requested a quote last Saturday and have not heard anything back yet.

Thanks
Chris

 

[chris o]

Bump

 

[chris o]

Anyone know of a good way to get hold of Reefsavvy? I have sent two emails and left two voicemails over the past 10 days trying to get a quote but have not heard a peep from them. Everyone speaks highly about them but if you can't talk to anyone not sure how it will work.

Chris

 

[hobbzz]

Their customer service has gone downhill recently. Imho reef savvy is extremely overpriced. You're paying for the name with them. Lots of other builders that have the same quality but will actually want your business. So far the reports I've read about customaquariums have been great. And their parent company has been around in the commercial tank industry for a while, they're not new. You can try DSA too. They would be through a local retailer.

 

[n8rad]

DSA is no longer in business.
You couldn't pay me enough or even give me a free glass tank that big. Acrylic FTW.

 

[fixmgood]

I have an AGE 96x36x30 could not be happier. Do a search and you will see why it is better to go with tank builders who specialize in larger tanks.

 

[fixmgood]

Anyone know of a good way to get hold of Reefsavvy? I have sent two emails and left two voicemails over the past 10 days trying to get a quote but have not heard a peep from them. Everyone speaks highly about them but if you can't talk to anyone not sure how it will work.

Personally I find them extremely arrogant.If you can't reach them now what are you going to do if you have a problem?

 

[chris o]

That is exactly my concern. I have been speaking with AGE and have seen nothing but good things here and elsewhere. That said I am still struggling to reconcile the 3X diff in price given the good reviews of CA.

 

[shocker444]

Ill try to shine some light on this for you. I bought a 780 from a tank builder thats was cheep and i said wow now i can spend more on lights and other stuff. Three months later my tank arrives and the fist problem is they never told me it was coming and its not like they can just drop a 2,000 lb tank at your door so thats one. Then i open the crate and the tank is taller then was quoted thats two. Then the tank made its long and hard journey to my living room and i began to fill and boom leak 350 gallons of water on my living room carpet. Call them will they help no they won't even answer the phone so i payed 7,000 for a glass box that i can't use just to save a few bucks. I ended up ordering a 1200 gallon tank from AGE and its amazing could not be happier about how it went with AGE top notch take it from me and don't do what i did PLEASE.

 

[chris o]

Thanks shocker. What ultimately made you go with AGE over the others and was your first tank framed or euro?

Chris

 

[chris o]

n8rad, With all of the large glass tanks on here why would you say that?

Tried Reefsavvy again with no luck so moving on.

Chrfis

 

[fishome25]

I service tanks for people and I no longer accept clients with acrylic aquariums. takes too long to clean. too delicate. I love my 420 from coast to coast.

 

[shocker444]

Thanks shocker. What ultimately made you go with AGE over the others and was your first tank framed or euro?

Chris

I tried cost to cost and miracles and there just out of my budget and really did not take the time to talk to me like i was not serious about the size tank i wanted. Not to say they are bad just think they are way over priced and don't offer anything special. When i contacted AGE they worked with me there was a lot of back and forth to make the tank perfect for me and they had no problem with my picky ness great people to deal with i won't buy from another company for the rest of my time in this hobby.