TRT opinions needed

[mojoreef]

Ok as most of you know My 180 has come apart. It has been fixed but I dont trust it any more so a new tank is forth coming. I have narrowed it down to 2 choises after the manufacturer fixed the 180. ( a little prenote on the manufacturer. when my tank had its problem I called all the stores and business that this guy deals with and instead of hearing bad things I heard nothing but good with no one saying they had any problem with thier tanks or with the service this guy gave) So I do trust after talking to him and the others that what happened to my tank was a one off. anyway here is the choises tell me which way you think I should go. and thanks for the input.

1. a 230 24x72x30 high from Inter american 1/2 inch glass
It has a starphire glass front and smoked glass back
Built in overflows (smoked) and drilled for plumbing
Ground and polished at ends that are exposed
Euro bracing and a stock iron stand (I will have to box it in once the aquarium is up.
total cost 1300.00

cons> it weights a 1000 lbs while its crated 600 uncrated this means I have to get a moving company to bring it from the truck in my driveway to the stand.
>have to build stand for it.

2. A 280 gal 30x30x72 acrylic 1 inch all around
It has a black back built in overflows
flamed corners
euro bracing and drilled to my requirements.
comes with a delux oak stand and canopy
suppler will install it.
total cost 1100.00

pro's> he installs it
Comes with stand
its bigger
its lighter.
Cons> Holds heat
can scratch


well tell me what you think and thanks.

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Mike! Having never been in a position to have such a large tank I probably can't give you much info. I would if I was doing it, go with option 1 as I like glass period. I think you will be much happier in the long run! Tough choice! Johnny

[Spanky]

Mike,

Definately choice #1.

Jerel

[cath]

I'm like Johnny...I've never had an opportunity to acquire a such a large tank. Even though option #2 has some sweet incentives, I'd go with the glass. I'd hate dealing with the scratches on the acrylic.

[Junkzoo]

IMO #1,,,,, good luck , and sorry about your probs. hang in there MOJO!:santa: :santa: :santa:

[SJLord]

and Ill go #2 because its cheaper and bigger, and we all know that youll need the money to stock your new tank! I have had no problems with acrylic, but you must just always realize that its acrylic! (plus modifications can be made to acrylic very easily, I cannot say the same for glass) Another Pro is that the acrylic tank is glued with a special glue that when it hits the surface of both parts of the acrylic, it bonds them so tight that they become one sheet of acrylic! (Its not going to crack! )

S

[mojoreef]

the cheapper and bigger was working for me to, but most people are leading me to the glass. As per the glue thing thais always not the way it goes.

[Doug1]

I'm inclined to go with option one, tho the 280 is tempting, I would want an 8 ft tank more than high
But I know that either choice will adapt to the space you have readily

[mojoreef]

the width is whats getting me most I have so much rocks and corals it will give me the surface area I need. I know the next question is get that in glaas. Well I would but it would effectivly add a $ 1000.00 to the price. Once you go that High and wide you have to go to thicker glass. Since starphire only comes in 1/2 it will have to be to 1/2 inches laminated.

[fishinchick]

Mike, the top of your tank looks like a Home Depot advertisement!!

Here is what you do:

buy the glass tank cuz its way more awesome. It will last you alot longer, and they dont scratch as easy.

Then when you do that, you box up that nasty rotten awful 180 and send it to me.

:-)

[Spanky]

Mike,

Do you really have to have starphire? We didn't. Honestly, when the lights are on, I've never been able to tell the difference.

Jerel

[Alice]

I'm an acrylic fan; lighter, more durable (usually) and the scratches do buff out, which you can't say for glass and glass tanks scratch too, though certainly not as easily. If you're going with the Starfire, the glass vs. acrylic clarity comparison isn't an issue but if you need that extra space, I'd say go with the acrylic. Bigger's better :santa:

Alice

[mojoreef]

I only went with the starphire on the front for clarity and pics. If I went for a stock glass tank they have 300 gals for 325 us. I'm still tossed, its kinda like having the little white guy on one shoulder and the red one on the other. The cabinat is an issue to this guy has some beautiful cabinats. I'm thinking the acrylic way kinda gets it all done at once, and he will help me set it up. WIth the glass one they wont even unload it from the truck. But then I perfer glass.LOL I think I go back to the acrylic guy and tell him to up the antie so its a no brainer, thanks for the ideas and keep them coming.

mike

[Demogarr]

Where was it that you can get a 300 gal for 325 again! I am slightly curious!!

[Scodz]

Thats a dern good deal on an acrylic tank with nice looking cabinets. I like glass as well but beside the scratches and heat Acrylic is better for lots of reasons, and in the size tanks your talking about heat shouldnt be a huge issue and scratches do occur but only in accidental situations or if you have large hermits, and getting em out isnt all that hard. besides 30x72 gives you better surface area, which means you can create better flow patterns and have more caves and ledges. although the added depth means more substrate and base type rock to aquire it also means more substrate and base type rock..... I mean to say it is better to raise corals up in a deep tank than try to light the bottom so using a 7 inch sand bed with some rock on top will also give added calcium and bacteria, denitrification etc. with the extra six inches you could try a 3 inch plenum and 7 inches of Sand. It gives you a ton more options that extra depth. I used to like shallow tanks I used mostly breeders for everytyhing 65s but now I like it the deeper the better....