Best Source for Large (~500g) Glass Aquarium Systems

[The Mule]

Sometime over the next 6 months or so I'll be jumping back into the monster aquarium game. Looking to get a very large tank made. After having a 330g acrylic tank for several years, I vowed never to go acrylic again. Look at it funny and it scratches. So I'll be looking for someone to make a glass tank, measurements somewhere in the vicinity of 120"x30" and 34" high. Tank, stand/cabinet, sump, everything... I've been given a few recommendations and will be getting some quotes in the months to come, but thought I'd check in here to see if anyone can offer other suggestions.

The two places I'll be getting quotes from so far: Nature Design Studio (NDS) in Los Angeles and Custom Aquariums in Wisconsin. If anyone would like to recommend other aquarium builders, I'd love to check them out. Additionally if anyone has experience with the two companies I mentioned, please share. This is obviously going to be a big investment so I want to make the right choices from the get go.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[skillzizzo]

Hello only one i have ever dealt with is Euro-Braced and Framed Aquariums – Glass Cages Not sure of the price ratio. I have been wondering the same quistion my self lattely as you are asking. I had a 240 8 x 2 x 2 half inch glass euro braced from glass cages and was a really really nice tank. I got rid of it when i moved across country good luck. They used to do aquarium shows around the country to were you could meet and pick up to save shipping cost not sure if they still do

 

[Backfromthedead]

From what I know, you can't go wrong with glasscages or customaquariums. But depending on your location you may be able to find a local manufacturer that will produce a quality tank without having to worry about shipping markups. For instance if you're in socal or florida there are probably dozens of options within a couple hundred miles.

 

[Rocksor]

I would also check with MonsterAquariums in NYC and see if they have any recommendations for local builders. They may be able to get you a deal. I know that a couple of my LFS can get me a better deal on aquariums vs going directly to the manufacturer.

 

[The Mule]

Thanks, guys. I have decided to go the acrylic route, as the logistics of shipping and moving something as massive as a 500 gallon glass aquarium are just overwhelming. Fishtanksdirect.com was recommended to me and seems like a good source and a safe bet.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Thanks, guys. I have decided to go the acrylic route, as the logistics of shipping and moving something as massive as a 500 gallon glass aquarium are just overwhelming. Fishtanksdirect.com was recommended to me and seems like a good source and a safe bet.

Not to naysay but a 500g acrylic is gonna be friggin heavy too...maybe not the half-ton+ glass would be. Seems to me once you get to a certain size you're gonna need special equipment to move it whether glass or acrylic.

 

[The Mule]

Oh I hear you - of course it's going to be heavy. But the difference between a 500g glass and 500g acrylic is going to be significant. Add to that the fact that the glass is more fragile and the chance for disaster is certainly higher.

I actually spoke to the custom aquariums guy. Seems like a very good company and his quote was lower than the other places I contacted. I'm not a fan of glasscages. Had a few of their tanks back in the day. The price was always good, but the craftsmanship was sloppy to slipshod at best. Two of the tanks I got from them - a 270g and a 125g - ended up springing leaks and causing damage to my apartment. So never again.

 

[Denon]

Oh I hear you - of course it's going to be heavy. But the difference between a 500g glass and 500g acrylic is going to be significant. Add to that the fact that the glass is more fragile and the chance for disaster is certainly higher.

I actually spoke to the custom aquariums guy. Seems like a very good company and his quote was lower than the other places I contacted. I'm not a fan of glasscages. Had a few of their tanks back in the day. The price was always good, but the craftsmanship was sloppy to slipshod at best. Two of the tanks I got from them - a 270g and a 125g - ended up springing leaks and causing damage to my apartment. So never again.

Just as an fyi, gc is under new management and have changed their options up a ton from back in the day. I'm also pretty impressed with the quality of workmanship they put into my 300. Came with euro and bottom bracing standard. They even offer an option for vert bracing if you want it. Tank is definitely not perfect, some silicone drips here and there I had to clean up and extremely slight side panel unevenness, but overall seems like it is well built and will last a long time.

 

[Potato Patatto]

Just as an fyi, gc is under new management and have changed their options up a ton from back in the day. I'm also pretty impressed with the quality of workmanship they put into my 300. Came with euro and bottom bracing standard. They even offer an option for vert bracing if you want it. Tank is definitely not perfect, some silicone drips here and there I had to clean up and extremely slight side panel unevenness, but overall seems like it is well built and will last a long time.

I saw they did a massive site overhaul but they want the new prices with it ? and it’s tough to get that with all the bad rap about them out there.

i think FTD was a good choice, there 340gallon tank is the cheapest at 3.2k I’ve seen around (96x48x24)

 

[nzafi]

Thanks, guys. I have decided to go the acrylic route, as the logistics of shipping and moving something as massive as a 500 gallon glass aquarium are just overwhelming. Fishtanksdirect.com was recommended to me and seems like a good source and a safe bet.

I got my 535g 8x4x30in tank from them. Great quality and was the right price. They were extremely easy to work with. I have only had my tank for 3 years. I am actually heavily leaning towards selling my tank instead of getting it back up and running. I’m in north NJ if you’re interested.