Large Acrylic Aquariums, Where to Buy?

[squint]

Midwest is currently building me a 300 with 3/4" sides.
Chris said the back panel will need to be painted because black acrylic isn't available in 3/4" stock.

I'm looking for a 300-ish gallon tank as well and that's what I was told. I decided to pass because I didn't want to pay $2000+ for a tank with a painted background. I was able to find cast acrylic sheets in black or blue in the dimensions required online so I know they make them. I guess Midwest only uses Reynolds who doesn't make colored sheets that thick.

I asked Envision Acrylics if a tank that size with a colored back was possible and they said they could do it.

 

[Randys]

Ya, I was disappointed when I learned the back needs to painted but I’ve heard so much good stuff sbout Midwest I’m gonna give it a try. There should be no visible difference from the front and even if I did scratch the paint on the back the repair would be simple.

 

[monkeybike]

I've often considered doing limo grade window tint on the back of my tank, that's always an option that's fairly reversible.

 

[jaws7777]

Ya, I was disappointed when I learned the back needs to painted but I’ve heard so much good stuff sbout Midwest I’m gonna give it a try. There should be no visible difference from the front and even if I did scratch the paint on the back the repair would be simple.

Is it really a big deal ? Seriously asking not being a wiseguy. Does it give a different look black acrylic vs black paint ?

 

[Randys]

Is it really a big deal ? Seriously asking not being a wiseguy. Does it give a different look black acrylic vs black paint ?

No, I would guess you’d never be able to tell the difference that’s why it didn’t bother me too much when Midwest told me they would need to paint it. The only drawback I can see is it would scratch easy but even that would be a quick fix.

 

[squint]

Is it really a big deal ? Seriously asking not being a wiseguy. Does it give a different look black acrylic vs black paint ?

It bothers me because it seems kind of half-assed for a tank that costs $2,000+. If it was a $150 Craigslist tank, no big deal.

 

[jaws7777]

It bothers me because it seems kind of half-assed for a tank that costs $2,000+. If it was a $150 Craigslist tank, no big deal.

I can understand that. I guess it depends how you look at it. I also priced glass tanks at this size and they were way more. Somewhere near 1k more and would have had to have the backround painted on. So i didnt view it as a big deal. Atleast if its painted on you can potentially change the color down the road lol. I dont remember what the price difference is. How much more would black acrylic be vs paint ?

 

[squint]

I can understand that. I guess it depends how you look at it. I also priced glass tanks at this size and they were way more. Somewhere near 1k more and would have had to have the backround painted on. So i didnt view it as a big deal. Atleast if its painted on you can potentially change the color down the road lol. I dont remember what the price difference is. How much more would black acrylic be vs paint ?

Colored acrylic is probably a bit more expensive than clear but I didn't get prices from Envision. Since Midwest doesn't have the option of painting or colored acrylic for the tank size I'm interested in, it's hard to do an apples-to-apples comparison.

I don't see myself buying new 300+ gal acrylic aquariums that frequently so when I get one I want it to be exactly the way I like it.

 

[TexasMFK31]

Fish tanks direct will do the colored acrylic for you. They have the "Tsunami" line and from my research around here heard nothing but good things about them. I was tempted to get a tank from them, 8'x5.5' was roughly $8k with a black acrylic bottom and back all 1" thick shipped. I decided I can build it for a few thousand cheaper, and at the end of the day I made it. That was tank only btw, the do a stand and canopy as well for additional cost. But they have "stock" tanks that are 10'x4' if you desired. I'd check them out, and the quoting process was more than friendly.

 

[squint]

Fish tanks direct will do the colored acrylic for you. They have the "Tsunami" line and from my research around here heard nothing but good things about them. I was tempted to get a tank from them, 8'x5.5' was roughly $8k with a black acrylic bottom and back all 1" thick shipped. I decided I can build it for a few thousand cheaper, and at the end of the day I made it. That was tank only btw, the do a stand and canopy as well for additional cost. But they have "stock" tanks that are 10'x4' if you desired. I'd check them out, and the quoting process was more than friendly.

I'll give them a look.