New 180 Gallon Build

Orionxr78 · 05/04/2014, 10:34 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this hobby and this is my first post. I've been doing some research on 180 gal (72x24x24) tanks and I am close to pulling the trigger on a starphire tank from glasscages or an acrylic visio tank. I would like to build a LPS reef aquarium.

Any thoughts on these two tanks or suggestions on going another route?

Orionxr78 · 05/05/2014, 07:37 AM

I have also looked into Reef Savvy as they were recommended on this forum but they quoted me more than double the price of the tanks I have been looking at. Way too expensive for my wallet.

JoelA7 · 05/05/2014, 09:25 PM

Use the search function to see the many posts about tanks, manufacturers and quality.

whosurcaddie · 05/06/2014, 01:08 AM

Welcome to the hobby and to reef central.

Reef Savvy quoted you double because its twice as good. But glass cages will serve you well if you decide to go that route. Have you looked at Craigslist or any local fish stores in your area. Some stores will want way to much but you might find a gem that is willing to deal with you. There is one near me that has very competitive prices and the tanks are beautiful.

One note on glass cages some people have reported having to scrape off excess silicone because they laid it on to thick. Just giving you a heads up.

915MANG · 05/06/2014, 07:23 AM

You may want to look at SCAQARIUMS. com Seems more affordable for a complete system minus lights and power heads. But Reef Savvy would be sweet!

Orionxr78 · 05/06/2014, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

Welcome to the hobby and to reef central

Thank you whosurcaddie!

I have looked at craigslist but I have heard some horror stories and youre not really sure what you are buying.
The stores I have come across so far wont budge on their tank prices.
I have heard/seen the silicone issue with the glasscages tanks. You would think this would be something they would resolve since there have been many posts/reviews on the same issue.

Orionxr78 · 05/06/2014, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 915MANG

You may want to look at SCAQARIUMS. com Seems more affordable for a complete system minus lights and power heads. But Reef Savvy would be sweet!

Thanks 915MANG!
I have never heard of these guys but the tanks look really nice and their prices are not bad either. I have contacted them to see if they can do a 180 tank.

915MANG · 05/06/2014, 10:03 AM

No problem! I know they started with the skimmers, and have moved into tanks. Id buy one if I didnt already have 2,lol

Orionxr78 · 05/06/2014, 04:09 PM

915MANG...so they do not have the size that I am looking for. I did some more research and I think I am going with an acrylic tank.

Orionxr78 · 05/06/2014, 04:10 PM

Does anyone know of any acrylic tank companies that wont break the bank?

danil · 05/06/2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orionxr78

Does anyone know of any acrylic tank companies that wont break the bank?

truvuaquariums . com will make 180L for you in few weeks below 1k with corner overflows if you bargain with them a little. It's a good tank and lifetime warranty but... if you have ability to install glass tank - go with glass. It's harder to install due to it's weight but at the end you'll like it more since glass isn't easy to scratch. With 180 you might want to install starphire though it's more soft then regular glass and easier to scratch.

xnetgeek · 05/06/2014, 05:04 PM

I prefer Starfire Glass,

m0nkie · 05/06/2014, 05:14 PM

glass has less scratch, glass is easier to maintain/clean, glass looks better in long term.. imo

acrylics are safe against earthquakes aka aquascaping falling.. then you have to deal with cleaning algae with plastic scrapers..

gone fishin · 05/06/2014, 06:03 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=537

I bought mine from a fellow reefer from a local forum. I see your from Arizona check out the link. I believe the Arizona guys a fairly active. Good luck.

915MANG · 05/06/2014, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orionxr78

915MANG...so they do not have the size that I am looking for. I did some more research and I think I am going with an acrylic tank.

Nice! what size are you going for?

DrBoxedWine · 05/06/2014, 09:05 PM

Great lakes aquariums seems pretty solid and reasonably priced

Orionxr78 · 05/07/2014, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danil

truvuaquariums . com will make 180L for you in few weeks below 1k with corner overflows if you bargain with them a little.

Thanks danil I will check into them a little more. Looks like $1350 on their site right now for a 180 reef tank.

Orionxr78 · 05/07/2014, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 915MANG

Nice! what size are you going for?

I'm gonna go for the 72x24x24 180 gal reef tank. Not sure what kind of overflow placement would be best.

Orionxr78 · 05/07/2014, 07:51 AM

I thought this was some good info on acrylic/glass aquariums: http://www.theculturedreef.com/advantage.htm

Orionxr78 · 05/07/2014, 07:44 PM

So I pulled the trigger and picked up a nice acrylic 180 gal tank. Now I'm committed...lol

ReefingWerewolf · 05/07/2014, 09:26 PM

Good luck on your build!

Orionxr78 · 05/08/2014, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefingWerewolf

Good luck on your build!

Thanks ReefingWerewolf!

biomek · 05/08/2014, 11:05 AM

from one newb to another, welcome aboard!

915MANG · 05/08/2014, 01:10 PM

So how much did you pay?

Orionxr78 · 05/08/2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biomek

from one newb to another, welcome aboard!

Thanks Biomek!

05/04/2014, 10:34 PM	#1
Orionxr78 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 93	New 180 Gallon Build Hi Everyone, I am new to this hobby and this is my first post. I've been doing some research on 180 gal (72x24x24) tanks and I am close to pulling the trigger on a starphire tank from glasscages or an acrylic visio tank. I would like to build a LPS reef aquarium. Any thoughts on these two tanks or suggestions on going another route?

05/06/2014, 07:23 AM	#5
915MANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 950	You may want to look at SCAQARIUMS. com Seems more affordable for a complete system minus lights and power heads. But Reef Savvy would be sweet! __________________ Mike O YOUTUBE "915MANG" Current Tank Info: 120 Gal in progress Fish & a few corals 34G Solana

05/06/2014, 10:03 AM	#8
915MANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 950	No problem! I know they started with the skimmers, and have moved into tanks. Id buy one if I didnt already have 2,lol __________________ Mike O YOUTUBE "915MANG" Current Tank Info: 120 Gal in progress Fish & a few corals 34G Solana

05/06/2014, 06:03 PM	#14
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=537 I bought mine from a fellow reefer from a local forum. I see your from Arizona check out the link. I believe the Arizona guys a fairly active. Good luck. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

05/08/2014, 11:05 AM	#23
biomek Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Wylie (Dallas) Tx Posts: 231	from one newb to another, welcome aboard! __________________ Todd 225g mixed reef, T5s, RO skimmer, Vortech and Tunze, Trigger System sump 40b QT / observation tank, 2-10gs for TTM

05/05/2014, 07:37 AM	#2
Orionxr78 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 93	I have also looked into Reef Savvy as they were recommended on this forum but they quoted me more than double the price of the tanks I have been looking at. Way too expensive for my wallet.

05/05/2014, 09:25 PM	#3
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	Use the search function to see the many posts about tanks, manufacturers and quality.

05/06/2014, 01:08 AM	#4
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	Welcome to the hobby and to reef central. Reef Savvy quoted you double because its twice as good. But glass cages will serve you well if you decide to go that route. Have you looked at Craigslist or any local fish stores in your area. Some stores will want way to much but you might find a gem that is willing to deal with you. There is one near me that has very competitive prices and the tanks are beautiful. One note on glass cages some people have reported having to scrape off excess silicone because they laid it on to thick. Just giving you a heads up.

05/06/2014, 04:09 PM	#9
Orionxr78 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 93	915MANG...so they do not have the size that I am looking for. I did some more research and I think I am going with an acrylic tank.

05/06/2014, 04:10 PM	#10
Orionxr78 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 93	Does anyone know of any acrylic tank companies that wont break the bank?

05/06/2014, 05:04 PM	#12
xnetgeek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 51	I prefer Starfire Glass,

05/06/2014, 05:14 PM	#13
m0nkie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: LA Posts: 6,264	glass has less scratch, glass is easier to maintain/clean, glass looks better in long term.. imo acrylics are safe against earthquakes aka aquascaping falling.. then you have to deal with cleaning algae with plastic scrapers..

05/06/2014, 09:05 PM	#16
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	Great lakes aquariums seems pretty solid and reasonably priced

05/07/2014, 07:51 AM	#19
Orionxr78 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 93	I thought this was some good info on acrylic/glass aquariums: http://www.theculturedreef.com/advantage.htm

05/07/2014, 07:44 PM	#20
Orionxr78 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 93	So I pulled the trigger and picked up a nice acrylic 180 gal tank. Now I'm committed...lol

05/07/2014, 09:26 PM	#21
ReefingWerewolf Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 358	Good luck on your build!

05/08/2014, 01:10 PM	#24
915MANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 950	So how much did you pay? __________________ Mike O YOUTUBE "915MANG" Current Tank Info: 120 Gal in progress Fish & a few corals 34G Solana