Why Reef Savvy Over Miracles?

[Kengar]

I am ready to place order for 240 custom from Miracles or Reef Savvy. I spoke briefly to Felix last week but have not been able to reconnect with him since then (don't know why. . . . . . .). I have been told by the woman who answers phone at RS that RS has a six-month wait, and from what I gather cost is likely higher than Miracles (though without return call from Felix to discuss the design/cost I obviously can't know). So, here's the question. What is it about RS tank and presumably higher cost that would justify going that route instead of Miracles? I approached RS first given what I've seen here and based on LFS recommendation, but if they don't return calls/emails, well, I have to wonder and consider taking the business elsewhere, but I would want to know what I'm giving up before doing so.

Thanks.

 

[Zorba]

Ive seen reef savvy tanks in person. They're to die for.

 

[Kengar]

okay, but WHAT, precisely, makes them "to die for" over a Miracles tank? I have seen reference in other threads here and/or elsewhere to the edges being polished/better polished as compared to Miracles. Is that still true? Are the seems better on RS? I've seen threads -- albeit older -- that talked about Miracles seems having some clouding/haze. Does that issue still appear from time to time in Miracles tanks? I also see reference to RS armored seems. That is a feature that, depending on what it turns out to be, may be the deciding factor for me since I've had tanks start looking carppy due to clean too close to seems and tearing the silicone; I want to avoid that. Thanks.

 

[Patrick Cox]

I bought a rimless tank 3 years ago and I considered Reef Savvy and Miracles among others. I ended up buying Miracles because the cost was less and the wait was less and I had read many good comments about their aquariums. Their service was also very good and I have been very happy with my purchase. This year I have been planning a tank upgrade and I will likely go with Miracles again for the same reasons. I have seen Reef Savvy tanks in person and yes, they are very nice, but so are Miracles. I think you would be happy with either. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Kengar]

12 inches narrower (28 inches instead of 40) and using two ghost overflows, this will be my tank (7 foot by 28 wide by 24 high):

Go Felix!

 

[markster33139]

I was in the same predicament myself and had concerns both over the price and the 6 month wait. In the end I decided that this was a purchase that above all other concerns I wanted to make sure that I was buying the aquarium equivalent of a Rolls Royce, and that there would be zero concerns about the quality. I sucked it up paid my deposit and 6 months later my beautiful RS arrived. The strength of this aquarium with the iron seams and phantom bottom is amazing, I have never looked back and I definitely don't regret it. Felix is the man go with RS, you will be glad you did.

 

[Kengar]

my wife was upstairs while i was on the phone with felix, talking with someone about re-doing the kitchen in a way consistent with this being the "forever house." I figured moving a 7-foot tank downstairs also makes this, de facto, the forever house since having nearly sheared my kneecap off five years ago trying to get the 5-footer Oceanic 156 back up those stairs when the system crashed (rookie mistake while moving in killed off everything), I know the 7-footer is staying down here for good. Hence, like you say, suck it up, sit back and plan, and no regrets at all.

I will not be doing phantom bottom. I plan to put down a sheet of perforated plastic, supported by the bottom perimeter bracing, and intermittently run a flushing flow of water down below the substrate a la a reverse UGF to raise detritus from the substrate. Therefore, even though the perf plastic will not go all the way up to the vertical panes of glass, I will hide it via the lip on a wood stand. Hence, bottom will be hidden so no need for phantom. (It also would have increased price by over 600 bucks.)

And re felix, despite being overwhelmed with work, we spent 1.5 hours on phone yesterday addressing a wide range of issues, and he suggested -- as I am now quite happy he did -- that I flip height and width to get what will be stronger and, at same time, more aesthetically pleasing tank.

 

[Kengar]

and the zero-quality-concerns issue also led me to go this way. although i have read many good things re Miracles' quality as well as customer service when addressing problemsn, I've seen a few threads where the seams were imperfect or, I believe in once case, rear overflow separated. The edges, though, did not look to be beveled to the same level of artistry as the RS edges. Simply put, I, too, wanted the Rolls Royce for my forever system

 

[d2mini]

What are the "iron seams"?

 

[markster33139]

Iron seams are the new reinforced corners that Felix is using on his tanks, basically an extra piece of glass hidden and attached where the corners join to further reinforce the bond.

 

[ClownsRCoo]

I think he calls them armored seams

 

[Kengar]

correct. "armored seams." They are primarily to protect the portion of silicone that flares out from the joint from getting all scraped/torn up by cleaaning magnets/blades

 

[markster33139]

Sorry about that, nevertheless I have them on my aquarium, and I feel they also contribute to greater overall structural integrity, Felix is really an innovator in this area

 

[ClownsRCoo]

I really like the idea of the armored seams. I've been very careful when cleaning around the silicone seams of my current tank and even still have noticed that some of them have gotten nicked up. I wish other manufacturers would offer that. I really want a reef savvy tank for my next one but his price is already a little over my budget and his shipping is really high which puts it out of my range.

 

[Kengar]

BUT! You pay half to order then have half a year to come up with the rest of the funds!

 

[nuxx]

Would be really interested to see a huge Reef Savvy tank in person.

Where do their tanks max out?

 

[Kengar]

don't know. per felix y'day, he's currently working on an 18K or 30K unit (don't recall the number) for someone in orbes top five list. . . . . MULTIPLE billions for the to-be owner.

 

[nuxx]

Nice

Probably going Starphire on the next tank... not sure what size but probably 12+ x 4 x 3 or so. No anytime soon, but interesting to see who does glass tanks like this.

 

[hart24601]

I looked at both manufactures and got quotes (along with other places). I went with Miracles for my custom tank. Price had nothing to do with my choice, after doing research IMO miracles and RS are of the best quality, but Miracles has a better reputation for support. During the process of my custom build I found Miracles reputation to be justified. They answered my questions very quickly (via email and phone) before the build providing me with diagrams and kept me up to date during the build. I made a large change during the build and they were very cool about it and happy to help and accommodate my design change. While RS makes fantastic tanks I would go with Miracles again in a heartbeat.

 

[Kingsixx]

What kind of money are we talking about when it comes to a Reef Savvy Aquarium? I know it depends on certain variables like size or complexity of the build but for a standard 120 gallon tank, how much (ballpark figure) would one go for?

OR

Those that have RS tanks, if you guys are comfortable, how much approx did you pay for them?