Custom Tank builders - who’s everyone using?

[Bpp124987]

What makes a custom tank good? What should newbies look for?

 

[pirate2876]

I had CDA maeke my 84x26x24 tank and stand. Wait time was longer than quoted, but I'm happy with the tank. I had Reef Savvy quote me the same thing and it was 2 or 3 times the price.

 

[thediscobandit]

Totally agree @JoshH.

Well at Glass Cages we put our tanks through rigorous testing. Today we tested the strength of a 3/4" thick glass 36 x 36 x 36 tank. We threw the following objects at the tank; 2 different cell phones, marker, toilet paper, lighter, shoe, wood plank, water bottle, full soda, fudge round, apple, umbrella, tv remote and a bowling ball. Well the bowling ball was the only object to not only scratch the tank but break the tank with a nicely circular hole. Radical times here at Glass Cages.

Lol radical indeed. I treat 3/4" glass like pure gold around these parts. i couldve saved you the trouble, simply told you the bowling ball would break the glass, and taken the tank home.

I am actually a little surprised the bowling ball broke it.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Lol radical indeed. I treat 3/4" glass like pure gold around these parts. i couldve saved you the trouble, simply told you the bowling ball would break the glass, and taken the tank home.

I am actually a little surprised the bowling ball broke it.

Lol 16lbs going about 20mph would have a lot of force.

 

[thediscobandit]

Lol 16lbs going about 20mph would have a lot of force.

Indeed. Now i am paranoid, going to have to start making my tanks out of thicker than 3/4" glass. I can't risk any bowling balls flying out of the woodworks...

 

[ams_reef]

Also consider a local builder if there are any near you. Sometimes they will build a tank directly in your house and it will be cheaper than building and shipping something that large cross-country. Plus there is no worrying about logistics of shipping, unpacking and getting into your house without scratching/damaging anything.

 

[JCOLE]

Totally agree @JoshH.

Well at Glass Cages we put our tanks through rigorous testing. Today we tested the strength of a 3/4" thick glass 36 x 36 x 36 tank. We threw the following objects at the tank; 2 different cell phones, marker, toilet paper, lighter, shoe, wood plank, water bottle, full soda, fudge round, apple, umbrella, tv remote and a bowling ball. Well the bowling ball was the only object to not only scratch the tank but break the tank with a nicely circular hole. Radical times here at Glass Cages.

And to think I was just about to put a 500 gallon next to my bowling lane. Time to rethink this one!

 

[Deep dive coral]

I used @Joe Glass Cages . He is by far the best in the business. The most caring business owner that I know.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

My buddy just purchased a custom 460g from Miracles. Front glass has low e, and the build quality looks really good. He went with all the bells and whistles and the price was reasonable.

As @Sisterlimonpot said, I just took delivery of my new custom 460 gallon tank from Miracles 2 weeks ago. It truly is a work of art, and Derek was great to deal with. I'll be starting a build thread shortly, but you can see lots of pictures of it here. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/its-a-miracle-s-tank-460-gallons-finally-arrived.705644/ It is now up and running.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Lol radical indeed. I treat 3/4" glass like pure gold around these parts. i couldve saved you the trouble, simply told you the bowling ball would break the glass, and taken the tank home.

I am actually a little surprised the bowling ball broke it.

for sure @thediscobandit. we thought the bowling ball would break the tank but wanted to be sure. I was expecting the full can of soda to do more than it did which was nothing. What a fun thing to do with the Glass Cages team.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Indeed. Now i am paranoid, going to have to start making my tanks out of thicker than 3/4" glass. I can't risk any bowling balls flying out of the woodworks...

That is so true. who would expect us to be dealing with these weird times right now.

 

[naterealbig]

In the planning phase with @Joe Glass Cages as we speak. Responses literally minutes after sending, ensuring every detail is prefect, two prior beautiful tanks from them, clear online pricing, and a shorter lead time, are only a handful of reasons I'm going with GC for my 300 gallon....

Give Joe a call - you will NOT be disappointed!

 

[Jvalle]

Hi I built this myself with a 200 gallon I bought used and a used stand. I put it in the living room and framed it with dolomite brick. Your tank is going to be a monster and it would look really cool in the wall if possible or a full piece with stand. Thx

 

[j0359m]

About to take delivery of a 280g from Miracles, they’ve been fantastic to work with and wait time was reasonable.
I’ve also had a Reef Savvy 225g, it was a great tank but your going to wait a long time for one.

is this the Miracles in Canada (Orangeville)?

 

[JoshH]

is this the Miracles in Canada (Orangeville)?

Yes

 

[JoshH]

About to take delivery of a 280g from Miracles, they’ve been fantastic to work with and wait time was reasonable.
I’ve also had a Reef Savvy 225g, it was a great tank but your going to wait a long time for one.

BTW I called Derek and had that re-routed to my house

 

[j0359m]

Yes

getting a quote for a 200 + stand. I’m in London

 

[JoshH]

getting a quote for a 200 + stand. I’m in London

I don't think you will be disappointed, I will say from a recent experience they seem to be either really busy or they have reduced there staff as a build that was just completed last week for someone here took about a month and a half longer than originally quoted. Not too big of a deal and certainly worth the wait, just good to know in advance.

 

[JoshH]

What makes a custom tank good? What should newbies look for?

Mostly build quality over all,
Are all the panes of glass square?
Silicone nice and even with very little to no bubbles in it?
Silicone is applied clean and tightly on inside edges of glass
Are all edges of the glass polished smooth and clean?
Any holes are drilled neatly with little to no breakout on the edges
Return and overflow holes are drilled to spec?
If internal overflow, is it siliconed properly to the tank?
Is it made to the right specs and located properly?
Any additional bracing/corner reinforcement is applied cleanly

Also not directly related to the tank itself but...
Customer service
Communication turnaround time
And above all, How a company deals with issues

Are all other things to look into when considering a builder for your tank

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I don't think you will be disappointed, I will say from a recent experience they seem to be either really busy or they have reduced there staff as a build that was just completed last week for someone here took about a month and a half longer than originally quoted. Not too big of a deal and certainly worth the wait, just good to know in advance.

Totally agree with @JoshH