thoughts on tank brands

Jeff G · 09/23/2014, 07:58 PM

I was hoping for some advice on tank brands. I'm planning a 220 setup. I've been searching for a tank. There's the all glass 210 with the back walk overflows. Although it measures about the same as other 220s. Then the Marineland 220 with corner overflows. I've also looked for a used oceanic. The main thing I'm worried about is glass breakage. I'm going to to build a rock solid stand so that shouldn't be an issue. Are the two new tanks good or just cheap crap. Is the glass thick. Nobody around me stocks them so I can't check them out first. I even thought about adding some glass bracing on the inside edge of tank. Maybe I'm paranoid, I've just read some horror stories. Any offered input is appreciated.

Sk8r · 09/24/2014, 09:18 AM

One of mine has about 5/8ths thick glass. It's an Aquavim. The delivered package (counting pallet) was 800 lbs for a 102 gallon tank.
The other, a 54 g has similarly thick glass---it is an Oceanic. Both are wedge bows, both have a back downflow. Both work well. The Aquavim has a partially glassed-over top, with canopy it takes 2 people to lift off. The Oceanic has a totally open top, with a removeable-by-one-person fiberglass rim that makes the rim 9" high, and you set the light kit atop it.

The thicker glass is far more secure. But it took two strong men with the help of a strong woman to get the 102 gallon up 8 steps and into the house. We set it on very large glides on the carpet, so we have a prayer of moving it, but if we do re-do that floor, we will have to do a total water drain and have several guys for stability.

ca1ore · 09/24/2014, 02:23 PM

Both Aqueon/AllGlass and Marineland/Perfecto have been around for a long time. I'd wager that they know how to make tanks. Reading horror stories on the 'net is a very misleading way to gauge tank failure rates. People are much more likely to report a problem than they are to share success. Both tanks you asked about use 12mm glass for the sides. The ML uses 19 mm glass for the bottom; don't know about the Aqueon. All things being equal, thicker glass is nice, but that doesn't mean it's necessary. You want to go custom, then go custom, but you'll pay a premium.

Cujo13 · 09/24/2014, 02:28 PM

Check out Great Lakes Aquariums. About a 5 hour drive for you but Steve does a great job. I have 2 that he has built and would go back in a heartbeat.

09/23/2014, 07:58 PM	#1
Jeff G Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3	thoughts on tank brands I was hoping for some advice on tank brands. I'm planning a 220 setup. I've been searching for a tank. There's the all glass 210 with the back walk overflows. Although it measures about the same as other 220s. Then the Marineland 220 with corner overflows. I've also looked for a used oceanic. The main thing I'm worried about is glass breakage. I'm going to to build a rock solid stand so that shouldn't be an issue. Are the two new tanks good or just cheap crap. Is the glass thick. Nobody around me stocks them so I can't check them out first. I even thought about adding some glass bracing on the inside edge of tank. Maybe I'm paranoid, I've just read some horror stories. Any offered input is appreciated.

09/24/2014, 09:18 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	One of mine has about 5/8ths thick glass. It's an Aquavim. The delivered package (counting pallet) was 800 lbs for a 102 gallon tank. The other, a 54 g has similarly thick glass---it is an Oceanic. Both are wedge bows, both have a back downflow. Both work well. The Aquavim has a partially glassed-over top, with canopy it takes 2 people to lift off. The Oceanic has a totally open top, with a removeable-by-one-person fiberglass rim that makes the rim 9" high, and you set the light kit atop it. The thicker glass is far more secure. But it took two strong men with the help of a strong woman to get the 102 gallon up 8 steps and into the house. We set it on very large glides on the carpet, so we have a prayer of moving it, but if we do re-do that floor, we will have to do a total water drain and have several guys for stability. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/24/2014, 02:23 PM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Both Aqueon/AllGlass and Marineland/Perfecto have been around for a long time. I'd wager that they know how to make tanks. Reading horror stories on the 'net is a very misleading way to gauge tank failure rates. People are much more likely to report a problem than they are to share success. Both tanks you asked about use 12mm glass for the sides. The ML uses 19 mm glass for the bottom; don't know about the Aqueon. All things being equal, thicker glass is nice, but that doesn't mean it's necessary. You want to go custom, then go custom, but you'll pay a premium. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/24/2014, 02:28 PM	#4
Cujo13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 189	Check out Great Lakes Aquariums. About a 5 hour drive for you but Steve does a great job. I have 2 that he has built and would go back in a heartbeat. __________________ 140 gallon DT, 100 g sump, 20L x2 TTM, 40B QT 95 gallon shallow, 40B sump.