Tank recommendations

spieszak

New member
Looking for recommendations in the 300 gallon range. The only requirement is glass, not acrylic. Leaning towards the marineland DD. If you have a tank in that size/range, love it or hate it, can you post it up here and note the why? I have a bunch of research to do, but looking to hear some real feedback from the folks that have them...
 
From what I hear ppl love the 300DD tanks and they are stock build so usually more affordable than a custom tank. However I heard marineland is stopping production of the tank and changing it to special order only so it might be "harder" to find one.
Corey
 
definitely try to go with something off the shelf....once you add the word "custom" to a price quote it jacks the price up big time...trust me I know. I was looking at the 300dd and could have gotten a brand new one for $1500 from my lfs where they sell tanks at cost. But because I had it stuck in my head that I wanted an external overflow and it to be a little bigger I ended up paying more than twice that.
 
I'm in the process of building a 200g DD. I love the dimensions of the 300g DD. I agree anytime you go custom you are going to double your cost for the tank...unless you find a used custom that you want. I say pull the trigger on the 300g DD.
 
For purpose of discussion, lets pretend budget isn't an issue... it of course always is, but i'd rather evealuate without it in the equation at the moment...
i don't think i care to have custom regardless, but adding budget concerns in here takes away from the pros cons of each tank.. and the pros and cons speak more to what i'm looking for in responses
 
while I dont own the 300DD I will tell you why I didnt go with it...internal overflows. while you dont need to stick your hand in there often or get under the tank to adjust the bulkheads, I really wanted the overflows to be easily accessible for cleaning and adjustments to the bulkheads if ever needed. My 80g frag tank has an internal overflow and I hadnt cleaned it out in about 6 months....I couldnt believe the junk that had built up in there.
 
Steve, I'm gonna plug the holes and drill for a coast to coast if I go 300DD. or maybe use the holes(2) for returns but unlikely.
Yea I can get the 300 for a decent price and I looked at smaller custom tanks that cost WAY more. Coast to coast in NJ was 5100$ shipped for a 48/48/24 cube 240 gallons. AGE was 2400 plus shipping. Miracles was 2800 shipped all for the same tank. GC was 1300-1800 shipped spending on options got. Non of these tanks are including starphire either except e 300DD
Corey
 
Budget is always an issue... but it scews the discussion. For example it changes to recommendation to the marine dd because its affordable.
i don't know that i'm overly concerned with internal overflows, mostly because I think i should be able to setup with decent access top and back to allow for cleaning. At least thats somewhat the plan, backing it up to my fish room/closet such that its kinda/somewhat built in...

Anyone have the DD and hate it? Anyone recommend another brand/bulder?
I'm just flushing out ideas now. All i really have is a "decent" budget, the desire to go at or around 300, and that I won't do acrylic because i've had bad experiences with scratching and access...
 
I just built a house and am planning an in-wall tank...I looked into the Marineland 300 DD also- my LFS says it is discontinued also. They offer various big tanks every month with manufacturer's discount... can get a 180-210g drilled or undrilled at approx. $1000 anytime. (just what I'm seeing here)
 
It is discontinued but many lfs still have access to some and I heard they are going to still offer it as a special order item
Corey
 
I've heard discontinued also, but my LFS can get one.
I've read some pretty not cool stories about them blowing out too... not enough to necesarily take them off my list, but enough to feel like i should be cautious...
 
I would try to find a system that is wider than it is tall. There is something that just looks more artificial (if that make any sense) when you get the same rectangular block of water except bigger.

There are some hybrid tanks that I didn't know that were available with pvc or acrylic bottoms and glass sides which seem like a good idea. There are now adjustable overflows which seems like a good thing to have.
 
Which part of the U.S are you from? It helps to know to recommend nearby builders...

You need to narrow down your dimensions and type of overflow.
 
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