Glasscages.com

[Terrance]

I'm almost ready for reefing and will start in September. Just a few questions. I want a really large display tank. I'm thinking about starphire glass for clarity and enjoyment of the display. I looked on glasscages.com and they seem to have a good selection. About 5 years ago, they had many bad reviews. Over the past 1-2 years, I've started reading a lot of better reviews from them. I'm considering a rimless 175 (48"x48"x16"). Looks like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMYi0sRC4Fs
Tank only would cost $1100 + $600 shipping to Seattle area. Too much IMO, especially with a history of bad reviews. Do any of you know any nearby fish tank builders within 500miles of Seattle?

Also do you guys think a 175g is too big for me to start off a reef tank? I'm pretty sure I have a good grasp of water quality and equipment, but my weak point is coral knowledge. Would it be better to start a small coral/frag only tank to start growing coral? This seems like its cheaper when I start out since I could do less water changes (compared to large display tanks) to replenish all the minerals in the water.

 

[NC2WA]

IMO, for that price you can do better..Jason from Clear Fabrications is one of our sponsors and does great work....in the meantime, while u r waiting, I would get yourself this book and read..it will answer a majority of your questions from tank selection, aquascaping, live rock selection, water parameters, parasites and treatment, etc...

Amazon.com: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists (Microcosm/T.F.H. Professional) (9781890087999): Robert M. Fenner, Matthew L. Wittenrich, Scott W. Michael, Alf Jacob Nilsen, Christopher Turk: B

 

[Peppie]

A larger water volume to start with will be a lot more forgiving!!!
Just member to do your homework on all your equip. before you buy it. Go slow, and ask a ton of Qs
Rumor has it there is a glass tank builder within 200 miles of Seattle.

 

[Red C Aquarium]

for a 175 with starfire thats a smoking price,esp. being framless good luck with acrylic being cheaper than that.



I have a guy that makes starfire custom aquariums in the local area, i dont know that we could beat that price but we'll see.

Red C

 

[Terrance]

I dont think i will go acrylic. Scratches too easily.

 

[grinder143]

I have an acrylic tank . I swear it scratches if I walk in the room. You really have to work not to scratch it

 

[Terrance]

I have an acrylic tank . I swear it scratches if I walk in the room. You really have to work not to scratch it

That is my fear. Tip toe into the room every time i want to enjoy the corals..

 

[NC2WA]

scratches DO buff out...

 

[trido]

I will never in my life own a acrylic tank. Having said that, I have reefing friends that have beautiful acrylic tanks. Glass scratch's too. I have several in my 210 to prove it. Sadly from FW rocks though.

 

[Katchupoy]

Terrance, dont be a stranger ok... Were neighbors...

To add more,

You need to ask yourself.... what is my budget really? Because when all is said and done, you can easily burn yourself and quit the hobby all together.

Also, another question to ask is.... How much time do you have? Can my job allow me to afford this hobby? if not job? then maybe family?

When youre done formulating how much money and time you have, then you can tailor the size of your tank to these parameters.

The goal is to have a lasting hobby.

+1 on the more water volume the more it become stable.

on tank design, the deeper (front to back) the tank the more it makes a huge difference in designing rockwork. thats why cube is very popular.

hope this helps.

 

[Terrance]

Terrance, dont be a stranger ok... Were neighbors...

To add more,

You need to ask yourself.... what is my budget really? Because when all is said and done, you can easily burn yourself and quit the hobby all together.

Also, another question to ask is.... How much time do you have? Can my job allow me to afford this hobby? if not job? then maybe family?

When youre done formulating how much money and time you have, then you can tailor the size of your tank to these parameters.

The goal is to have a lasting hobby.

+1 on the more water volume the more it become stable.

on tank design, the deeper (front to back) the tank the more it makes a huge difference in designing rockwork. thats why cube is very popular.

hope this helps.

My budget is roughly $100 monthly after initial setup. I would be done with the initial setup late 2013.
My guitar is taking up a lot of time and money as well, so I didn't really think it through. I'll start small with a 46g and see how it goes. Many people say they cruise with a reef tank after the first year, and its less maintenance than a planted tank (trimming probably).

 

[myindoorocean]

for a 175 with starfire thats a smoking price,esp. being framless good luck with acrylic being cheaper than that.

I have a guy that makes starfire custom aquariums in the local area, i dont know that we could beat that price but we'll see.

Red C

Where is your guy located? I'm looking for a 48 x 24 x 20 or 24 rimless starphire. It would be nice to save the shipping costs!

 

[Katchupoy]

Knowing how much guitar can cost you, starting small is a good step. "Test the water" is what the saying goes... Then when you feel like you still have more to give, and learned a lot, then you need to test your patience. Since most corals will start with frags. Big colonies is good but survivability with smaller/frags is greater than bigger ones. Patience also will dictate how much you want to fill that tank asap, or in 2 years??? In this hobby, "instant gratification" is no can do... everything takes a slow process. This is good since this will give you time to read, research, design, and learn. Try to know people close to your place and visit them. Sometimes chatting between reefers makes a big difference, and of course looking at their setup is the bonus part.

With tank. 40 breeder has a nice shallow shape. 75 and 90 has the same footprint, 90 is taller. And the 48"x24" 120 gallon has the depth that I was talking about earlier. These are just standard sizes by Oceanic. I know its not starfire.

And with even more deeper tanks, Marineland also has one. 36x36 and 48"x36 ones... Ready made that you can buy.

Of course nothing will beat Craigslist and classifieds in this forum.

 

[returnofsid]

I dont think i will go acrylic. Scratches too easily.

Be aware that Starfire glass also scratches very easily. In order to make it more "clear" it has a lower lead content, making it "softer." I've found that out the hard way, with my 200DD. IMO, unless you're dealing with glass that's thicker than 3/4", the starfire isn't even noticeable. I shoot photography a lot, through the glass. My tank has front starfire only. Shooting or looking through the front vs. the sides, no difference at all.

 

[Norahs_dad]

I have a glasscages 120g heavy tank but survived being dry a 1+ years and being halled from Arkansas to Wa in a tow behind trailer.
Was sitting on rigid foam insolation , rapped in it too, looks well built with extra 1/2 inch glass along top and inside bottom for reinforcement.

 

[jgalvin]

love those dimensions (shallow cube).

if open to other alternatives, i recently bought a 100g starfire rimless from cadlights (48X24X20) for $625 + $200 shipped to my door. LOVE the tank. I just checked their website and they now have it for $599. If new to saltwater I think 100g would be a great size, big yet manageable. When i looked i prices AGE, glasscages, and a bunch of others, nothing could compete with the price and quality of cadlights (for a glass tank).

NEW 100G Artisan II Open System [ART-SA100] - $599.99 : CAD Lights, Thinking outside the cube

pm me if any questions.

 

[myindoorocean]

I really like the looks of that tank but I'm a little worried about their customer service. What's your experience? How is the packing job? I'm concerned if it doesn't show up perfect I may have trouble getting them to make it right.

 

[jgalvin]

My experience with cadlights was great (i just bought the tank), Eddie answered emails the same day and was reachable via phone. it was packed very well and shipped via fedex ground. i ordered around my birthday and talked them into including the plumbing kit for free. I ended up not using it as the overflow was too loud and just used the durso from my other tank. I have only heard mixed reviews are their sump/skimmer/stand (again i just bought the tank for $625). So I had Don Wacker (RF sponsor) build my stand (as he did on my previous tank) . I've been meaning to get a new build thread with pics of the tank, will try to get that done this weekend.

I really like the looks of that tank but I'm a little worried about their customer service. What's your experience? How is the packing job? I'm concerned if it doesn't show up perfect I may have trouble getting them to make it right.

 

[myindoorocean]

Sounds good. I really want a tank that size, and I've heard their tank quality is great. It's so much cheaper than other places, I got a quote from Reef Savvy, approximately $2K shipped to Spokane. Great Lakes Aquarium - $1500 or so. Plus, I couldn't find many opinions on Great Lakes. I too am not going to get anything but the tank from them.

I'm looking forward to seeing your build thread, as I'm also interested in the ecoxotic lights you have. I was looking at this fixture: Panorama Marine LED System - it's really cheap, around $300. I really like the idea of LED lights, but the cost has turned me off, plus the fact that they aren't really proven long time. What is your feeling on this?

Matt

 

[jgalvin]

I have the original Ecoxotic panorama unit (24 inches). It was over my 36L tank, now over my 48L, as expected with 48 inch tank there is some dropoff on the sides (fine for me as tank is in my living room). I have stunner and current usa LED strips between all 6 LED strips in the panorama. The unit is okay. I would have said great 6 months ago. I have had 2 transformers go bad, the first one was replaced under warrranty, the second cost me $20. If money were no object i would have two radions. PM me if you have any other questions. I do like LED very much (tried MH an T5HO before LED). Keep a look out for my build thread.

Sounds good. I really want a tank that size, and I've heard their tank quality is great. It's so much cheaper than other places, I got a quote from Reef Savvy, approximately $2K shipped to Spokane. Great Lakes Aquarium - $1500 or so. Plus, I couldn't find many opinions on Great Lakes. I too am not going to get anything but the tank from them.

I'm looking forward to seeing your build thread, as I'm also interested in the ecoxotic lights you have. I was looking at this fixture: Panorama Marine LED System - it's really cheap, around $300. I really like the idea of LED lights, but the cost has turned me off, plus the fact that they aren't really proven long time. What is your feeling on this?

Matt