Tank builders near Sac?

[Reefugee]

I have to disagree with Elite on the external overflow. External overflows are more likely to fail than in internal overflow. IMO, the space lost by an internal overflow is minimal. It is nice to be able to sit your tank flush against the wall. It also helps minimize noise. I have a HOB closed loop system, so my tank cannot sit flush against the wall. As a result, it is noisier than I'd like.

My recommedation: Go with an internal overflow. If you are doing a closed loop system, have them drill for the closed loop system at the bottom of the tank so that you can sit the tank flush against a wall.

Minh

 

[Elite]

I'm sure you see Pam's tank. She has an external overflow. Does she have any problem? When you say fail, what fail? (not trying to argue here... just want to know more). I'm sure you know a lot more than I do ..

You could be right about the noise when the tank is not sitting against the wall. I think it's help cooling down the tank a bit because more air flow through there. Another thing about drilling the tank on the bottom is if the bulkhead break or something happen, your tank will be bone dry.

 

[Unarce]

Possible Minh may have been referring to the HOB overflow attachments as opposed to the overflow being built outside the tank wall.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

My tank won't be sitting flush against the wall regardless. I intend to have my closed loop on the back of the tank (to prevent bone-dry tank bulkhead breaks, and to give me room to work back there). I am going to be building my stand to actually enclose the back portion where the tank sits off the wall, so the stand will be flush on the wall, and will have access panels for me to get to it.

I would never do a hang-on external overflow, I've heard too many bad things about them. But I don't see what potential harm there could be in an external overflow built into the tank. It's not even really external, it's just an extruded portion of the tank, rather than an intruded. Plus, if I do end up going that way, it allows me to add more surface area to the overflow. I can easily pop in 36 inches, whereas that'd eat a lot of square inches out of my tank if it were internal.

We'll see, part of it will depend on price. I like the idea though.

 

[loup]

I would like to know why external overflow would be an issue as to internal overflow. We are not talking about the HOB where you need a U-tube, now thats a pain in !@@.

Mine has an external overflow box but its on the side as my tank is 3-side viewable. I'll need to get some picture up one day.

Unarce, your welcome to come over when I get it up and running, right now it has fresh water and I'm trying to work out my plumbing issue.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

i think what loup means is something like this my new 280 with and external overflow

 

[Pico1]

^ very nice tank! Colbalt blue backgrounds have always been a favorite of mine.

 

[Reefugee]

I thought you mean a external as in HOB overflow. The other overflow looks great!

Minh

 

[Pico1]

I use a HOB overflow with a u-tube, works great for me and the overflow box is a great place to put chemical media.

 

[Elite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7348616#post7348616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mn95616
I thought you mean a external as in HOB overflow. The other overflow looks great!

Minh

nope.. and yeah those HOBs are suck.. I bought one and having problem using it so I drilled my tank

 

[Inkedsphynx]

I just took a look at the TruVu website (not sure why it took me so long to find it). Does anyone have any comments about their aquariums? I can't tell from the pictures on there, but what bracing scheme do they use? It seems that if I were to end up going with a rather standard size, I could get my tank from them for a few hundred cheaper than any quotes I've gotten thus far. Or I could go a few hundred over and get that 72x24x30 I wanted.

Another thing, if I were to order through a local dealer, would I end up paying exorbitant shipping rates? If I didn't have to pay shipping, I could end up buying 300$ more worth of tank, which means I could get the 225gal.

Ugh, decisions decisions.

 

[Unarce]

The only reservation I'd have about a TruVu tank is the acrylic thickness of their standard tanks. There's a strong possibility you'll experience the bubble effect within a year or two.

 

[Reefugee]

Karl,

I tend to agree. I had a 55G TruVu, and when there was water in it, you would see some bowing on the front and back. I have seen other TruVu tank with the same thing. But at the same time, I have also seen some smaller TruVu tank without this problem.

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7350070#post7350070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce
The only reservation I'd have about a TruVu tank is the acrylic thickness of their standard tanks. There's a strong possibility you'll experience the bubble effect within a year or two.

 

[fishsoldseprtly]

Inkedsphynx- their is absolutely no way you are going to get a cheaper tank from TruVu especially if you want other things added to the tank. In fact they raised their prices substantially just a couple of years ago.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

Apparently you are mistaken.

The only quote I have worth considering at the moment is from SoCal, and it's a few hundred more than the same size from TruVu.

 

[Elite]

What is the thickness of the acrylic that SoCal use? It might be thicker that's why it cost more. If you are getting the standard tank from Truvu, ask how big the access holes are. My 100G's access holes are pretty small. I hate it.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

SoCal would be using 3/4th inch acrylic for the entire tank, including the eurobracing.

I'm still leaning towards going with SoCal, even if I could get more tank for the price from TruVu. I like the fact that the 3/4th inch acrylic should be stronger than I need it to be, so there won't be any bowing or sagging anywhere.

That is still pending the other quotes I'm waiting on though.

 

[fishsoldseprtly]

.

 

[fishsoldseprtly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7352158#post7352158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Inkedsphynx
Apparently you are mistaken.

The only quote I have worth considering at the moment is from SoCal, and it's a few hundred more than the same size from TruVu.

if TruVu was cheaper it was because the acrylic thickness was not the same, because if you wanted the exact custom specs and acrylic size TruVu would cost more especially if its custom work and not standard size.

but if you can get the same exact size and specs and acrylic thickness from TruVu for less, then why not go with TruVu since its closest and they have been in the undustry for years.

 

[Elite]

Sound like a very nice tank...

BTW. I sent you a PM