Custom Tank Depth Question

[jimroth]

Getting read to order a pretty big tank (not so big around here, but big to me) from GlassCages. I wanted
68 X 24 X 29 (high) . I was told I had to choose between
68 X 24 X 24 (high) and
68 X 24 X 31 (high).

My instinct is that, since I'm going BB, 31" is a long way to reach down, even with my 36" sleeve!

Also, that light would penetrate better in the 24" depth.

Of course the 31" depth has a lot more water. (169+G vs. 219G).

Does anybody have opinions/experience to share on this matter? I'm slightly flummoxed.

[Bebo77]

If you can go wider than taller it looks better IMO. see if you can get a tank 68 x 30w x 24t. that would look nice!

[CodeBlue]

I had a 30" deep tank. I am 6'3" I found it to be too deep. Yeah I could scrape the alge off the bottom area of the glass or get a frag that fell down in the front. But if it fell back a bit or under a rock ledge, forget about it. I would not go that deep again, unless it was a huge tank.

[jimroth]

Gee, I'm 6'3" too. I didn't think about the "down and back" distance. That's the kind of info I was looking for!

[orion76]

My tank is 40" deep... I'm 5'10" and the reach is not a problem, that's what aquatongs are for :)

Something to consider though, 68 X 24 X 31 is not an optimal size for aquascaping, your rock scape will be a vertical wall and it will be hard to create nice ledges for your corals to sit on. IMO it's best if width is equal or greater than height.

Unless you have space restrictions 68 x 31 x 24 or 68 x 31 x 31 is a much better configuration. You really can't have too much front to back depth :)

[leeehawkins]

I just went from 15" wide to 24" and I love it! More width is the way to go.

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6347567#post6347567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
If you can go wider than taller it looks better IMO. see if you can get a tank 68 x 30w x 24t. that would look nice!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6348674#post6348674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by leeehawkins
I just went from 15" wide to 24" and I love it! More width is the way to go.

I agree with both Bebo77 and leeehawkins... Go wider then 24"... I bought a used 220gal that was 72x24x30 thinking that would hold me over, well that was a few months ago and its still in my garage with no water in it... About 2wks after getting the 220gal I was on the phone with Will at AO getting my 600gal (96x48x30) ordered :) I would go with at least 30 to 36" front to back depth if you can, even if it's only 24" high...

You may want to check out this thread on GlassCages if you have not seen it already...

GlassCages Thread (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=579007)

[windsor-aquatic]

Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious, but if the manufacturer can offer a tank at 31in. high, why can't he make you one at the height you wanted, 29in. high? The manufacturing procedure is exactly the same, just a slight adjustment required at the glass cutting stage.

[orion76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6350187#post6350187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by windsor-aquatic
Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious, but if the manufacturer can offer a tank at 31in. high, why can't he make you one at the height you wanted, 29in. high? The manufacturing procedure is exactly the same, just a slight adjustment required at the glass cutting stage.

I guess they buy the glass panes pre-cut and only have those sizes in stock...

But windsor makes a good point, if they can't supply it in the size you want there probably are other places that can ;)

[windsor-aquatic]

It would suggest to me that the supplier is not the manufacturer. Custom built should mean exactly that; the tank is built to your requirements (obviously taking into account accepted safety practices and guidelines). If that's the case, go directly to the manufacturer.

[mbunaman]

My buddy had a tank built by them and it was a horror story. Well the problem was fixed 6 months latter. It started with them shipping the tank truck freight. We go it setup and put water in it and the tank started to crack in multiple places. Then we had to wait two months more for them to come to a show and bring a replacement. When they attempted to bring the tank out of the truck the crew dropped the tank on the movable platform and cracked two panes glass on the tank. Then finally we recieved the third tank. Then when we recieved that we had to wait an additional month for the silcone to cure. I would spend the extra money and get it built somewhere else. This is a big investment. So take that into consideration. The dimenstions are 60" x 24" x 36".

[jimroth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6350425#post6350425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by windsor-aquatic
It would suggest to me that the supplier is not the manufacturer.
If you saw these tanks you would know that isn't true. :p

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6350253#post6350253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by orion76
I guess they buy the glass panes pre-cut and only have those sizes in stock...

But windsor makes a good point, if they can't supply it in the size you want there probably are other places that can ;)
My tank and stand budget is around $1200, would you tell me who can supply a similar tank for that price? With the drilling, of course. ;)

I know, if you go with Glass Cages there are compromises. The height thing was a surprise to me, too. My second choice was the 178 Oceanic, 60.5 X 24 X X 29", even sold "at dealer cost" it was $1500 for the tank and stand. If I drill any holes in it, I void the warranty. By going with Glass Cages I can get it with the CL holes already drilled and (I think) with a horizontal overflow. I've seen their tanks in person and the workmanship doesn't bother me.

Hey if I had the dough, I'd get a Miracles in Glass tank with an external overflow, a beautiful stand and such, but I'm working within a fairly tight budget. I really want to do this this year and I'm not willing to go into debt for it.

Here is a list of tank manufacturers who I have read "horror story" theads about:

AGA, Oceanic, InterAmerican. Even Miracles has recently been cited for an odd mistake. You really pays your money and you takes your chances.

Hell, If I had any common sense, I'd use the money to remodel our decrepit bathroom. And switch hobbies to coin collecting.

But I don't.

[windsor-aquatic]

The heading of the thread was Custom Tanks; I merely pointed out that a custom tank is just that, not custom built as long as you have it 24in or 31in high. I'm still not sure why the can't make what you ask for; it's certainly nothing to do with the sheet size of the glass. Perhaps the answer is the cost factor that you mentioned, and not being familiar with USA tank prices I could not comment on that aspect.

[jimroth]

I am puzzled as well. Maybe its about stacking tanks in the truck?

[jimroth]

Geez, people really hate that GlassCages, don't they? Now I don't know if I wanna get a tank from them.Who here thinks I should suck it up ang get the Oceanic 178? C'mon, whaddya think?

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6350725#post6350725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mbunaman
Then finally we recieved the third tank. Then when we recieved that we had to wait an additional month for the silcone to cure. I would spend the extra money and get it built somewhere else. This is a big investment. So take that into consideration. The dimenstions are 60" x 24" x 36".

mbunaman, I am not sure why you needed to wait an additional month for the silicone to cure as I believe it only take like 7 to 10days before you can add water ?? Maybe windsor-aquatic or someone else can comment...

[tsalter]

I do think they have the glass pre cut at least in height. When I ordered mine I wanted to go 32 but it was 30 or 36" wide.

With glasscages it is hard. I had a hole that was chipped out pretty badly and a chip in the end of one of the sides of glass. Not something that gives me great piece of mind when I put 200 gallons of water in my house. I took pics and sent them to the owner and he said it should be fine. So I took his word for it. Would I rather have a perfect tank hell yeah. Would I pay double what I paid at glasscages from miracles? Maybe. I just wish there was someone building tanks in the north east that I could pick it up from and not pay the hundreds of dollars in shipping.

But my tank is up and is doing fine. I beieve it will be fine for the long haul. But would I buy again I dunno. I imagine for my next tank I would pony up for a manufacturer that will make my tank perfect. I believe if you where closer to Glasscages you could address the problems early. When I picked up my tank at a local show it was paid for so what do you do send it back and wait 3 months to get a new one or maybe they don't send one?

I believe their tanks are structurally sound and their build is solid its the little things like drilling that is the problems. maybe have them take pictures of the holes before they send the tank. If they won't do this ask for your money back.

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6352433#post6352433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tsalter
I just wish there was someone building tanks in the north east that I could pick it up from and not pay the hundreds of dollars in shipping.

Will at AO...

[windsor-aquatic]

Regarding curing time, whenever we build a tank on site, we advise the customer to allow 1 day per mm of glass thickness for curing time; aquaria made in our workshop are not delivered until the silicone has cured, so that the customer may use it as soon as he wishes. Living where I do I have never heard of any of the manufacturers mentioned earlier, but I have heard of AquariumObsessed, and have had several conversations with Will, their president. Based on those conversations only, I have to say that I was quite impressed with his professional approach to the business and his willingness to supply what the customer required, rather that what happened to be convenient to the company.

[mbunaman]

Thats what they told us for the warranty.My buddy could of lied and said "I waited" but if the problem occurs he would have to wait for the cure date. They write the cure that on the glass. Have no clue why they enforce this. I would imagine one week is enough. Also they are pretty sloppy with the silcone. I would think when they deliver they would clean the globs off in the bottom. And clean the glass on the exterior where silcone should not be. I agree for the money they charge its great. But buyer beware. Dont have your hopes on setting it up on a time frame. Custom tanks are a hit or miss.

[windsor-aquatic]

Globs of silicone off the bottom? Silicone on the exterior? Forgive me for being sceptical, but they sound more like cake decorators than aquarium manufacturers! There is no excuse acceptable for sloppy workmanship, irrespective of the price paid for the finished article. It takes the same amount of time to build a tank that is pleasing to the eye as it does to make one that's an eyesore. Cleaning the finished product, however large it may be, should be part of the manufacturing procedure.

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6353215#post6353215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by windsor-aquatic
Globs of silicone off the bottom? Silicone on the exterior? Forgive me for being sceptical, but they sound more like cake decorators than aquarium manufacturers!

ROFL, that is too funny :) Well said windsor-aquatic...

[nyvp]

I was going to go with them as well, but after hearing all the horror stories I went with exotic aquariums in miami florida was even cheaper than cages.

[jimroth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6358779#post6358779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
I was going to go with them as well, but after hearing all the horror stories I went with exotic aquariums in miami florida was even cheaper than cages.
Do they have a website?

Asnatlas, what is Will at AO.?

[tony13]

Jim did you look into Aquariums For You? There in Long Branch so you could pickup and save money on shipping. They're doing my 210 FBH with starphire on 3 sides, nice tanks built like tanks. Mine was supposed to be ready last week but no luck, like some one said I guess locking them down on a completion date is impossible, I still don't know when mine will be done.
Tony

[windsor-aquatic]

tony13 makes an interesting and frequently repeated point, the difficulty of tying a supplier to a definite delivery date. I personally don't think it's beyond the capabilities of the manufacturers to give a fixed date and even time for delivery, as we do here. We know that the unexpected occasionally happens, but it is only occasionally. Perhaps if a penalty clause was inserted in the sales agreement stating that, for example, a 10% reduction on the purchase price would would apply for each week beyond the agreed delivery date? And, of course, no money changes hands until the tank is delivered, and the customer indicates his satisfaction by signing the delivery note. It works for me!

[tony13]

Windsor I wish you did business around here. You sound like a person that stands behind his work and word. It's funny you talk about the penalty, I know there is one if I don't pickup the tank after a certain completion date. In the big picture it doesn't matter that much to me when it get done, I've been planning this for year so what's a couple of more weeks, but as long as the quality is there.

[jimroth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6358992#post6358992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tony13
Jim did you look into Aquariums For You? There in Long Branch so you could pickup and save money on shipping.

Thanks, I requested a quote on 64 X 31 X 31.

[stevebydac]

Re: the height issue. I'm 5-9 with (comparatively) long arms. I'm happy with 24" but wouldn't go deeper. It would be a giant pain to try to reach things with my hands at the bottom of the tank. I'm not a big believer in tongs -- I really don't want to drop things in an expensively livestocked aquarium. I trust my hands more.

I know you are taller than me, but think long and hard about going 31" in height. I wear 34-35" sleeves, and 24" in a tank is plenty.