220 gallon decision

[jakanala01]

My LFS has 40% sale on Perfecto and All Glass Aquariums. I wanted to get a 220g. I currently have a 150g. I will be building a custom stand designed by an engineer. Based on the design it will be able to hold a tank on it.

I would like glass so it is not subject to scratches from sand substrate and rocks and like the look of a glass tank. I know it is heavier but like it; however, I just read about a disaster of a 220g Perfecto (the one I was gettin or thinking of gettin) exploding. Some may have read about it in MonsterFish.

Here is the article: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...p/t-83178.html

So the question is should I get a 220gal Perfecto or is the risk to high? Also has Perfecto increased the thickness of the glass to make it safer or less risky?

Please give me your opinions.

Thanks

[dzfish17]

I dont think you can base your decision on one freak accident. I would go ahead and get the tank that you want. I do understand your concern though because the company that built my tank had one that exploded and there was a video of it here on RC.

[mike_cmu04]

I would also not worry about it there are thousands of those tanks and that is the only one i have read that happening to. Just make sure the stand is level and you will have nothing to worry about.

[Angel*Fish]

You may also be able to find some good info in the large tanks forum http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...prune=10&f=252

[jakanala01]

How many of you build your own stands? I am wanting to build a stand designed by an engineer so it would be solid as a rock; however, I read that Perfecto only warrants their tanks if sitting on a Perfecto stand.

[dzfish17]

I built my own stand for my 210g in-wall. I had no choice but to put the tank in-wall because of space issues. I know you're a little paranoid but alot of folks build their own stands. My tank was made by All-Glass, their tanks are very solid and the company has a good reputation. I had the tank set-up for 5 yrs. before I took it down to make room for the 600g tank.

[Sk8r]

Go to the DIY forum: they have a lot of people building stands.
Go for glass.
I'd go with the tank you want: somebody miscut the glass or bent the frame in the one that exploded...or the installer didn't level the tank, would be my guess. When you add a thousand pounds of pressure on a glass pane that's been mis-cut or not level, you can, yes, have it pop. If it pops in a small place, it will crack. If it pops in a really bad place, well---

I'd just say level that sucker seven ways from Sunday and level it again full of tapwater, then draw off all water, blot dry, and add some white eggcrate lighting grid on the bottom, to prevent any rock point load from touching the bottom glass and to spread the weight. Add rock structure (dry rock on the bottom), then washed sand, then water, and you're good to go.

[jakanala01]

Which is better Perfecto or AGA? Why? I'm leaning towards a Perfecto 220 XH Oak corner overflows?
How thick is the glass

[EdMan71]

I also would place styrofoam b/t stand and tank to ensure no high/low points.

[SuperNemo]

no foam under tanks with rim (AGA, Perfecto). foam is only used on glass and acrylic which have the sides sitting on top of the bottom piece. rimmed tanks are floating style tanks where the sides are, well, attached to the sides of the bottom.

[jakanala01]

The Perfecto 220 I'm getting has a rim or standard oak moulding around the base and top with corner overflows.

So you are saying not to place foam under the tank?

Also I am getting the tank and inside plumbing included for $725. Is this a great price for the tank and plumbing or is there somewhere else better?

I am building my own custom tank with the help of an engineer's stand design.

Also Is there a thread on how to properly plumb the overflows down to my 40gal breeder sump? I just need to know how to set up the tubes or pipes down to the sump.

If anyone has a similar Perfecto system and can pm pics or post them here that would be awesome. Would appreciate it very much.

[Cuervo]

Most of the DIY stands built on here are extremely overbuilt, it's easy to do. The reason is that wood can withstand a tremendous amount of crush weight before it gives. The stand for my 210 is built out of 1" oak and doesn't even have a frame, it's been sitting on there for about 4yrs now with no problems.

As for the glass giving and exploding.. freak accidents happen, when I first put the tank in I was a bit paranoid, over time though it's not something I even give a second thought. I don't think I'd let 1 video or a couple of rumors deter me from buying a tank if it was the one I wanted and a good deal.