soulpatch
New member
This is what many don't realize is the cost to get a stand made by local shops. I was quoted as high as 4K for my 150 stand with nothing special about it...
People just need ot be aware of what they are walking into.
SC Aquariums Owners Thread
- Thread starter OceanWolf
- Start date
This is what many don't realize is the cost to get a stand made by local shops. I was quoted as high as 4K for my 150 stand with nothing special about it...
People just need ot be aware of what they are walking into.
Ya just get the stand built by s local shop. I am doing a miracles 180 build and just got the stand done by local shop that my lfs referred me to. They have a sample stand in their store. I just picked it up, maple wood. Beautiful!! Hard to see the details from the pic.. but I think lots of builders can get you nice looking stand for $1-2k. If you want under $1k, it will be pine.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wow wow, this is Beautiful!!!
davocean
Active member
Yeah as a cabinet maker myself I'd say expect to pay at least $1,000 and that is not for anything fancy, that's why usually getting it from the manufacturer is often a better deal as most are mass produced and/or it's a combined package.
Honestly I don't even like to build them anymore because everyone compares to petco popout pricing.
It's too bad, I know SCA's page post showed excitement at having a local USA builder, but it's so hard to be competitive around here and stay in business, and hard to find good labor, those guys must be feeling some serious frustration, just as you are I'm sure.
I do still think they make the best tank for the money though.
Honestly I don't even like to build them anymore because everyone compares to petco popout pricing.
It's too bad, I know SCA's page post showed excitement at having a local USA builder, but it's so hard to be competitive around here and stay in business, and hard to find good labor, those guys must be feeling some serious frustration, just as you are I'm sure.
I do still think they make the best tank for the money though.
$1,000 for a 24"x24"x36" I think that's a little high. Plus SCA is not mass producing at this point they are just going from shop to shop to try and get something decent made, but as I said since this will be placed in my living room I can't afford it not looking 100% and my wife not liking it, made that mistake once and never again I'm returning to the hobby after years being out and I wanna do it right this time around and hoping to go bigger once I'm successful with this one.
RogueGrown
New member
Am I going need to be worried about the plywood stand I just paid extra for??? Or is this just a custom build issue with sca?
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
soulpatch
New member
Call around but be prepared for a hefty price. LIke I said I was quoted as high as a few grand for a 60" long stand and the minimum quote I had was 2K. Even if you take 1/3 of that you are still at 600 so 1K really is not too far fetched.
Still even a couple grand for the stand and tank is the least of your financial worries setting up a reef tank. I spent more on my calcium reactor setup than I did buying my tank and stand/canopy. Really in the grand scheme of things the tank and stand are the cheapest part of the hobby....
Rogue - I doubt you will have any issues. From the last couple pics I would think you might have to adjust the door slightly at worst. That is a few turns of a screw driver on the adjustable hinges. Please take the time to prep the stand though and caulk the seams and I recommend painting the interior with a white appliance epoxy paint. Not only will it brighten up the interior of the stand but the paint also holds up to water and abuse like a champ.
davocean
Active member
Right, this is exactly what we builders hear too often, so this is what happens, now a tank manufacturer is squeezed to be competitive, he squeezes on builders, and they have to whip things out or cut corners to make what they need to stay in business and pay overhead.
This is the issue, people don't think about material cost and how many days it takes to make it properly, or the tools needed, upkeep, overhead.
It's a very frustrating situation, what I used to enjoy doing, making cabinets for fellow reefers has become such a headache now I don't even build them anymore unless it's for friends or returning favors, or someone I feel deserves and needs.
soulpatch
New member
I wish ya lived closer Dave. We would def talk about a custom stand for me I would like doing. I would love to know a local cabinet guy who I could talk fish tanks to and help design a cool stand with since you would know the equipment and such that I would want slide outs for.
RogueGrown
New member
I have already planned on taking my time with this build as it could be up to 9 months before it gets wet. I an definitely going to paint the inside bright white and seal the seams. I also plan on making a couple of additions to the stand on the exterior for an electrical cabinet and another for an ATO. Thank you for the advise!!!
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
davocean
Active member
Yeah I doubt you'll have any issues either Rogue, they stand behind their products, that's why I encourage others on their behalf, keep the cool folks goin!
Yes SOULPATCH, there are a number of people I meet/see on the boards I wish lived close enough to work with or even talk shop with.
Yes SOULPATCH, there are a number of people I meet/see on the boards I wish lived close enough to work with or even talk shop with.
RogueGrown
New member
One thing I mentioned to Steve was that his support from RC about his customer care is second to none and was a driving factor to me choosing to go this route.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
soulpatch
New member
If you look at my build thread I have both done the stand interior as well as made an external wall cabinet for my electronics. Quite a few other SC build threads in the tank journals section as well that should give you some stellar ideas.
soulpatch
New member
Well you find yourself anywhere around the NY/Philly/Baltimore area let me know.
I have met at least 10 people from the boards and swap gear/frags with em. It's nice to have people with the same interests. Heck in a couple weeks I am going "shopping" at a local guys house for some walt disney acros and a few other named pieces. Can't wait.
RogueGrown
New member
I will definitely go check it out later this evening when I get home and have time to spare. I browsed briefly through the first section of your build. I had what you did in mind with the white paint, sealed seams, and LED strip lighting around the top. I wonder if I can rig a switch to the LED to come on when I open the door and turn off when I close it. I plan on having a small fuge so there will be a small light for that as well... I have so a few ideas running through my head but can really pull any triggers till the tank arrives hopefully later this week.
RogueGrown
New member
This is the one I really wanted. I think it's about $4000 ... the builders wouldn't even return my email cause they so busy. Still happy with the one I got at a third the price.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I hate seeing things like this. Im going to get my tank in, build the stand grab a beer and poke my bottom lip out cause it will never compare to such art like this.
davocean
Active member
Never measure yourself by what others do or have, that there is the key to an unhappy life!
davocean
Active member
Thank you for the kind words, one day I'll get some travel in out yonder!:beer:
davocean
Active member
This is the one I really wanted. I think it's about $4000 ... the builders wouldn't even return my email cause they so busy. Still happy with the one I got at a third the price.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm not sure of them and if they build just for tanks or do home cabinets too, usually it's a LOT easier to get a fair price for a house where that type of expense is more acceptable since most people and their significant other can clearly see that as adding value to the home, where a fish tank is often seen as going the other direction by many!
RogueGrown
New member
I hadn't intended to make that post sound envious by anymeans and after reading it again i could see how that would be assumed. We all work very hard for what we have and do.
I plan on customizing mine to my liking. It may not turn out like that gorgeous stand but at least I'll be able to say "I did this and I'm proud of it"
if only I had followed my father's steps in wood working, he was always much more patient than I am with it. I can say, I'm excited cause I just checked the tracking on my new tank and it will be at the shop Thursday. I'm impressed by the quick freight. I wait for car parts from Reno for 3 days, and that's only a 4hr drive!!!!
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Similar threads
