What would you do?

Paul_PSU

Paul_PSU

In Memoriam
I am looking to upgrade and had my heart set on a 48 X 30 X25 150 gallon with braces. I started seeing all the cube tanks out there and I can get a 36 X 36 X 24 135 gallon rimless for only $40 more. What route would you go? I could probably use my 75 gallon DT now as the sump for the 150, but I would probably have to use the existing 30 gallon long sump for the 135 or get another sump. I am leaning toward the 135 cube. I have a DIY MH/T5 light setup so canopy won't be an issue as I was going to make one from scratch anyways. I am also going to build the stand so that won't be an issue either.

I would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks

Paul
 
Tough decision.

The 150 is going to give you more surface area (10sq ft vs 9) and more water volume and it is cheaper.

I would go with the 150. How much more would it be if you went 48x36x25?

--Ray
 
I agree that's tough... are both tanks custom made? I'm not familiar with those dimensions for a 150g tank?

- A 36" width is very nice, and not to mention it's rimless... However, I would be concerned with the support and stress on the seams on a rimless tank that large. Who built the rimless tank?

Also... if you're going to use a canopy... rimless shouldn't really be a priority IMO, because you'd be covering up the top rim anyway. Most rimless tanks I've seen are used in combination with some type of Pendant style or hanging lighting fixtures.

What makes the rimless cubes look so sharp IMO is that top clean sleek edge on the tank.

CronerTank1.jpg


Anyway some things I would think about... is either tank new? What type of glass is each made out of? How difficult would daily maintenance be? Manufacturer of the rimless tank?

Also, with the dimensions you're looking at... I think aesthetics would be the real priority, because you're not talking about a HUGE increase in water volume or anything like that. So I would basically try and think about which would look nicer in your home.

Just my .02 I'm sure either option will look very nice. :)

Here are some more pics of rimless tanks:

DSC_0020.jpg


Toronto179.jpg


Here is a 112g:

36" x 36" x 20"

009-7.jpg


Here is a 135:

36" x36" x 24"



 
That would be about $175 more. My doorway is about 30 1/2 into my den where my tank is so I could fit it in. I was concerned about weight but the tank will be set up like your Ray as a peninsula and just have one of the short sides up against the wall. My current tank is actually parallel over 1 joist, but the new setup will go perpendicular over 2 joist and one of them is a double wide hoist. My subfloor is 1" thick and my hardwood floors are 3/4 inch. I should be ok. I was actually considering the 190 if I decided to not go the cube route. decisions, decisions..........
 
I guess I used the wrong word when I said canopy. I am going to make an all aluminum light fixture and either hang from the ceiling or make a bracket to come up and over the side of the tank nearest the wall. I haven't really got the mftg picked yet. I had looked at oceanic, glasscages, and marineland tanks. I know about the glasscages stories, but I have also spoke with several people that love their glasscages tank and had no issues. money is sort of a factor. I mean I am not going to spend 1200 on a tank. I am not going the low e glass just based on cost. I like that 135 cube you have a pic of. That look is one of the main reasons I was considering it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14083806#post14083806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
That would be about $175 more. My doorway is about 30 1/2 into my den where my tank is so I could fit it in. I was concerned about weight but the tank will be set up like your Ray as a peninsula and just have one of the short sides up against the wall. My current tank is actually parallel over 1 joist, but the new setup will go perpendicular over 2 joist and one of them is a double wide hoist. My subfloor is 1" thick and my hardwood floors are 3/4 inch. I should be ok. I was actually considering the 190 if I decided to not go the cube route. decisions, decisions..........
Click to expand...

Go for it!!

Who is making the tank? I know marineland makes 36 inch wide tanks now.

-Ray
 
This is what I am trying to decide now. I have most of the money saved up already. I just need to figure out who can make me those dimensions for a 190. I called Elmer's and their answer was that I could have a custom tank made but only the height would be custom and that the width and depth (front to back) would have to be standard sizes??? That doesn't make any sense to me. Any suggestions?
 
Yeah Manufacture's tanks are only custom by height and they will NOT make it rimless. Basically manufacture's tanks can only be custom in height and they can use starphire if you like and that's about it.

I heard mixed reviews of glasscages, seems like the quality depends on what worker(s) make it for you.
 
DO NOT go with glass cages whatever you do.

A friend of mine just had 2 custom rimless tanks made by them, and it's got to be the worst craftsmanship I've ever seen. That makes it 3 rimless tanks I've seen in person made by them that are an absolute joke. I would never have a tank made by them, regardless of how good a price they gave me.

There's a thread on here somewhere where a guy had a large rimless cube built by them, and the seams were stretching like crazy. He ended up having to add extra glass pieces for support, or the thing probably would've failed.

I also like the 135 w/ black silicone in the picture... I think the guy said the manufacturer was A.G.E.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14084068#post14084068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
This is what I am trying to decide now. I have most of the money saved up already. I just need to figure out who can make me those dimensions for a 190. I called Elmer's and their answer was that I could have a custom tank made but only the height would be custom and that the width and depth (front to back) would have to be standard sizes??? That doesn't make any sense to me. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
The Marineland Deep Dimension standard sizes for sale are:

150g - 36" x 36" x 27" tall

200g - 48" x 36" x 27" tall

250g - 60" x 36" x 27" tall

300g - 72" x 36" x 27" tall


...and you can choose either regular or Straphire glass.
 
My next tank will probably be the 300g marineland, but that will not happen until I turn my spare garage into a fish room.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14085994#post14085994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
The Marineland Deep Dimension standard sizes for sale are:

150g - 36" x 36" x 27" tall

200g - 48" x 36" x 27" tall

250g - 60" x 36" x 27" tall

300g - 72" x 36" x 27" tall


...and you can choose either regular or Straphire glass.
Click to expand...

I like the dimensions on the 150 and the 200.....hmmmm
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14087588#post14087588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by raynist
I have been following that thread :)
Click to expand...

I like his setup. I have been following that also. My wife keeps telling me I need to get off of RC cause I get too many ideas off of here....:lol:
 
The tank I really liked a lot when I saw it in Aquaworld was the 265 gallon tank (84"x24"x30"). My eventual goal will be to have a custom 4'x4'x2' or 5'x5'x2' tank and dedicate an entire room for it with the tank being the focal piece, or else to have it in a very open living area. I'm partial, but at this point for me, I'm going as big as I possibly can and thinking that one more upgrade will be it. I love square tanks, but think you lose some by only letting them be 3 sides viewable..although the overflow is a lot less tricky that way. That 200 gallon tank seems like a good deal to me. I've also had my eye on glasscages for a while, so if you do go that route, let me know how it turns out. I'd thought a lot about just ordering the custom panes from them and building the tank myself, but am worried that they wouldn't even polish the edges of my glass right (one of the main complaints I've read about them.) Either way, I think your new tank will be awesome.
 
I dread 265s you are basically swimming in it to reach the bottom! Especially if you have short arms. A 24" tall tank is more comfortable for sure.
 
i found a link to this place on another thread. 160 XWIDE 48 1/4" 30" 26 1/4" $524.95. Anyone hear anything about them? They only ship on orders over $1500 but I see they can deliver to the Cleveland/Toledo. I wouldn't be opposed to a 3 or 4 hour drive to pick up my tank...:D


http://greatlakesaquariums.com/rpl.php
 
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