Planning a 300 Gallon Build, tank cost questions

revaltion131

revaltion131

New member
Hi everyone! I'm moving in roughly a year and was going to replace my 125 gallon tank with a new 125 gallon that was drilled for internal overflows and made the way I wanted it. But this move is a long-term situation and I've come around to thinking: I'm already spending the money for a custom build, why not be patient, save some more, and get exactly what I want? I still have some trepidation, but it's more about making sure that the house I buy has room for the system and has a strong enough floor to support the weight.. I love the 96"x30" footprint and am hoping to be able to do a peninsula style. So my initial question seems simple, but is probably not:

How much can I expect to pay, before shipping, for a quality build (just the tank)? I am planning on glass but not decided on whether or not I want starphire yet. I saw $1200 as a listed price, but that was Glass Cages so I am assuming this is low. Also, how much would you pay for a used tank in good shape? Large tanks actually pop up on CL around here quite often.

I already have a long list of builders to look into, as well as my LFS which does have an installation service, I just don't know yet who their builders are. Recommendations for builders are always accepted!

P.S. I know I'll need the tank shipped to me and I'll have to have a moving company install it, if I don't go through my LFS.
 
I'd guess you're closer to $3000 for a custom starphire, maybe a little more, before shipping. Drop about $500 from the price if you go with non-starphire.

My Miracles in Glass tank is well built, and Derek's customer service is 5 stars.

If you're seriously considering Glass Cages, do your homework. IMO, a few people get a tank they love at a fantastic price. More people get what they pay for, if you will, with some of the stories being worthy of inclusion in the Guiness Book of Records, and not in a good way. It all depends on how much risk you're willing to assume.
 
My last tank was Glass Cages and I wouldn't let them build a box to hold poo in.

A) Once they had my credit card I was no longer a Priority to them which sucked because I was having the cabinet/wall built to the tank's specs and had to wait 2 WEEKS for a return call.

B) The "precise" dimensions they gave me were wrong. Fortunately they were wrong in the direction the tank still fit it just have a LARGE gap on all sides and on the top. Apparently the tank "Shrunk" 2" in transport to me.

C) Their quality control is ... well it ISNT! The silicone looking like Stevie Wonder did it while swinging from a spinning rope. It literally took us HOURS to get the tank ready for water.

D) Their overflow and cover are built too high. If the system was not controlled very carefully the water level would touch and exceed the "Euro Bracing" around the top. I was never happy with it from day one.

E) They delivered a day EARLIER than they had said and I had to drive an hour to meet them. I explained that I was going to be alone because of the short notice of EARLY ARRIVAL and they told me someone would be there to help me load the 90g into my explorer. I show up and the driver has his arm in a sling so he can't help and the other person was a woman who couldn't (and didn't) help. I single handedly wiggled, slid, pushed, pulled a 90g from their truck down into my explorer.

I have to admit that some others have had good results from GC but I can 100% assure you that they won't get another penny of mine. My next tank will be something like a Miracles or equivalent.
 
Just to be clear, I had seen enough questionable reviews of Glass Cages to not go with them. I'd also assumed that as a result of what I had heard, their listed price of $1200 was very low; ie: cheap builds, cheap quality, and so on. From my initial research, Miracles is sounding like the best choice, unless I find a quality used tank or go through my LFS. I'm still waiting on them to tell me what builders they might use, if they'll help with a set up of this size to begin with.

Thanks a lot for the information so far. I've only bought used tanks or an AIO before, so I really wasn't sure what the costs would be like, other than a couple thousand at least for the tank.
 
I've seen Marineland 300g DD for about 2K. However that is 72x36x27". Anyone else, custom with starphire is 3K+ plus shipping.

You might be able to find a used one for a good deal on CL or your local reef forum.
 
I wouldn't skimp on the tank. Good to hear you're staying away from GlassCages. Remember that their name is derived from the fact that they are more acquainted with reptile displays than aquariums which hold water. From the look of the edges on their glass panels, it looks like they cut them with chain saws. So many of their tanks have failed over the years that I can't believe they're still in business.

I think any of the top custom aquarium builders produce a fine product. Once you go custom, it's hard to go to a stock tank again. I love my 195 (72x26x24) from Coast to Coast Aquariums. If you can spring for Starphire, it's very noticeable in clarity, but you'll pay for it too. Coast to Coast is more expensive than most, but I saved because they are close enough that I could pick it up from their facility and save a ton on shipping 370+ pounds.

It's good that you have time to research and save for what you want. You might change your mind many more times until then.

Good luck!
 
It's really hit and miss with whom ever you get to build your tank, Miracles included, Don't go Acrylic. Locally our best was Aquarium Obsessed but they are no longer in business.
 
ridetheducati said:
Probably the potential for always monitoring for scratches. This hobby has enough things to worry about.
Click to expand...
IMO, the people most 'concerned' with scratching an acrylic tank, are people that never had one. Yes, they scratch, but it's almost as easy to scratch starphire glass, and how are you gonna repair glass?
I've been using acrylic tanks since about 1990...IME...MOST scratches are due to sand/shells caught in the magnet cleaners...and although I'm very aware and careful...I'm not the one scratching the tank!!! ...it's all the friends and family that are fascinated with the magnets and decide to 'HELP' me clean the tank...therefore...NEVER leave the magnets on the tank, where everyone can & will grab them!
 
albano said:
IMO, the people most 'concerned' with scratching an acrylic tank, are people that never had one. Yes, they scratch, but it's almost as easy to scratch starphire glass, and how are you gonna repair glass?
I've been using acrylic tanks since about 1990...IME...MOST scratches are due to sand/shells caught in the magnet cleaners...and although I'm very aware and careful...I'm not the one scratching the tank!!! ...it's all the friends and family that are fascinated with the magnets and decide to 'HELP' me clean the tank...therefore...NEVER leave the magnets on the tank, where everyone can & will grab them!
Click to expand...

This is what concerned me with acrylic, but considering what I may need to do in terms of moving one, not worried about the "filled" weight, the acrylic was more attractive. I have considered picking up someone's cheap frag tank for sale and doing a nano system with one to see just how likely it is to get scratched up,as I have not had an acrylic tank before.

Alex T. said:
I wouldn't skimp on the tank. Good to hear you're staying away from GlassCages. Remember that their name is derived from the fact that they are more acquainted with reptile displays than aquariums which hold water. From the look of the edges on their glass panels, it looks like they cut them with chain saws. So many of their tanks have failed over the years that I can't believe they're still in business.

I think any of the top custom aquarium builders produce a fine product. Once you go custom, it's hard to go to a stock tank again. I love my 195 (72x26x24) from Coast to Coast Aquariums. If you can spring for Starphire, it's very noticeable in clarity, but you'll pay for it too. Coast to Coast is more expensive than most, but I saved because they are close enough that I could pick it up from their facility and save a ton on shipping 370+ pounds.

It's good that you have time to research and save for what you want. You might change your mind many more times until then.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks, especially for the details. I'm a very frugal person so it kills me to not be able to skimp, but I know that if I "don't spend enough" it could cost more than investing in a quality build from the start. The only cheap route will be if a can find a used tank locally in excellent shape.

And I think it's great for me to not have my new house yet, aka a place for the tank, because otherwise I may rush into it. This way, I know I have a nice, long period of time, to have everything saved up so that once I close on a house, I can put in the call to whatever builder I go with and then acquire all the equipment in the build time so I can be ready to go the day the tank comes in. I'll just have to have my friends pace me at the point so I don't go overboard then...but that's a long ways away!

mwminer said:
I just put in 450 96x36x30 acrylic
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k504/mwminer/sandintank.jpg No magnetic cleaners
Click to expand...

Gorgeous build! Do you have a thread? Also, no magnetic cleaners? My LFS has an awesome one for their glass SPS display that also has a razor attached on an arm that you can position the angle of. They said that the company is almost ready to release an acrylic version. I may be going up to 36" deep and yeah...my arms are not long enough to clean with a razor blade that far down...without going for a swim, of course! :D
 
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