FishTanksDirect
- Thread starter nzafi
- Start date
Also if I'm ordering a brand new tank I want to be confident in it versus questioning build quality and reinforcing it myself
Then you may want to go with a builder that comes highly recommended by people who have bought the kind of tank you 're wanting to get -- namely a BIG tank -- as opposed to the best tank AND tbe best price.
Its a once or twice in a life purchase, that's gonna be in your house for a very long time. Spend a few extra bucks for known quality workmanship from a builder with a strong reputation.
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Thanks. That's what I'm trying to figure out about these guys. These seem to have some great reviews but I don't trust the pricing. I've kept my one fish for 15 years and want to keep another 15 so I'm trying to make the best decision.
I've never ordered from FTD, so my assumption here may be off, but ....
I suspect FTD is GREAT for small and medium tanks, at standard sizes. A guy wanting a 90 or 125 gallon tank shipped to the house would have a great experience. But, I feel like a 300 or larger tank is a little different ballgame, requiring a little more of a "custom" build from a place that makes tanks singly to order in their own shop.
I had looked at Glass cages for a while and decided against them for similar reason.
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I suspect FTD is GREAT for small and medium tanks, at standard sizes. A guy wanting a 90 or 125 gallon tank shipped to the house would have a great experience. But, I feel like a 300 or larger tank is a little different ballgame, requiring a little more of a "custom" build from a place that makes tanks singly to order in their own shop.
I had looked at Glass cages for a while and decided against them for similar reason.
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2 grand seems really cheap. I don't know anything about this company, but like others have said above - for a large custom tank like this you need to shop around and do your research. Don't buy based on price alone.
Ive learned that The cost of saving money can be quite expensive.
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Ive learned that The cost of saving money can be quite expensive.
Sent from my SCH-R950 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
What it is coming down to is either Midwest Custom (which everyone has nothing but phenomenal things to say about) and FishTanksDirect. I am waiting to get clarification on the thickness of acrylic by FTD. The one factor that makes FTD cheaper is that they do shipping on their standard size tanks which is an instant saving of $500. Once I hear back from FTD on thickness, I will then make a decision.
I contacted Midwest at one point. I wanted black bottom and back and he wanted to just paint it on. I wanted acrylic panels. Lost my business just for that
I got hold of FTD today, or I should say SunCoast Aquariums. FTD is pretty much a separate company that buys tanks and then sells them. SunCoast works through FTD as their online distributors. The person I spoke to was pretty knowledgeable and very helpful. It also sounds like once you decide to go with them the spend time developing drawings via autocad to capture any specific requirements and working closely with you. The original price they quoted me was for 1/2in acrylic all around. There stance was that because the tank is only 24in tall, you can use 1/2in acrylic.
I got an updated quote that would be 3/4in acrylic for the sides and 1/2in acrylic for the top and bottom. This is exactly as MidWest and the 4 other manufacturers suggested. I just need to think on it and do more research. I have multiple positive reviews about their tanks including someone that got a 700g tank from them. There was only 1 negative review that I was able to find but it is enough to make me think on it more.
I got an updated quote that would be 3/4in acrylic for the sides and 1/2in acrylic for the top and bottom. This is exactly as MidWest and the 4 other manufacturers suggested. I just need to think on it and do more research. I have multiple positive reviews about their tanks including someone that got a 700g tank from them. There was only 1 negative review that I was able to find but it is enough to make me think on it more.
Hey im sorry if this is off topic but did you call them or email them? I filled out the custom aquarium quote on the FTD website and i didnt know how long it takes for them to reply or if im just better off calling. Also do they ship to your house or do you have to go to a pickup location? Thanks.
Our 300 gallon Midwest tank has the back painted black. We have had no issues with it. It looks like thick paint. No danger of any of it coming off. I wouldn't hesitate to have Chris paint a tank for me. On the other hand, we do have black lamination on the back wall of our big tank built by SunCoast with FTD brokering the deal. It is like a black mirror and quite nice, but we have decided to cover it with a background.
