Large Tank Help

[Bill83]

Hello,

Quick question

I am picking up one of the three below tanks for my sons puffer fish which is out growing his home. Can you guys give me some feedback on which brand you guys think is the most reliable?

180 Gallon Marineland Reef Ready
180 Gallon Seapora Reef Ready
210 Gallon Aqueon Reef Ready

Also would take some other suggestions just not trying to break the bank for this tank

Thanks in advance

 

[12 Volt Man]

Aqueon is the most reliable and it has thicker glass than either Seapora or Marineland (which I think are made by the same people they are identical in every way lol)
My Aqueon 150g was bought new in fall 2008 and is still going strong <touches wood> The glass is very thick (and very heavy)
Also the cross bracing on Aqueon is much more robust than the bracing that marineland/seapora uses.

 

[Bill83]

all of the above tanks have 1/2" at this size, and the seaporas have injection moldings. I think some of them use like 3/8 for sides on smaller tanks 125s etc

 

[12 Volt Man]

all of the above tanks have 1/2" at this size, and the seaporas have injection moldings. I think some of them use like 3/8 for sides on smaller tanks 125s etc

the marineland tanks actually have slightly thinner glass than the Aqueon ones at these sizes. its only like a mm thinner but they are thinner.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Any of these should be fine, but I find that the silicon on modern aqueon tanks is usually sloppy and sparse. Not as good as the All-Glass Aquarium tanks from 20 years ago.
I have a 65gal rimless Seapora and I like it, the silicon is very neat and clean, the tank has beveled edges. Have had the tank for 10+ years and it is going strong.

 

[Bill83]

Ok great thanks

 

[Toby_H]

Keep in mind that standards are eroding across the board in most areas of production. We may have examples of quality manufacturing from company XYZ from 10 years ago that modern examples cannot live up to. And nearly everything made 30 years ago is better than the modern equivalent.

The end times are near, repent!
I'm kidding. My above paragraph looks like I may be that type. But I'm not that bad. Simply the grumpy old man type.
Back in my day!...

I'd recommend, when and where possible go check out the tank in advance. Or when ordering it let the supplier know you are concerned with quality. Ask for specs (specifically exact glass thickness. Have them check, don't go off of a, "I think it's like, 1/2" at least") and let them know you want to be able to review the silicone quality before you make the payment.
If they are special ordering, which they probably are, you likely won't be able to do all of that. Alternatively, you can review the quality of work on smaller tanks that are in stock of the same brand.

 

[Bill83]

the marineland tanks actually have slightly thinner glass than the Aqueon ones at these sizes. its only like a mm thinner but they are thinner.

I called them both

Marineland 180 - Front Back Sides are all 1/2" and the bottom is 5/8"
Aqueon 210 - Front Back Sides are all 1/2" and the bottom is 3/8" but its tempered

So the Marineland actually has thicker glass at this size

 

[HUKIT]

I have never heard of Seaphora before, is that a regional thing as they’re on the east coast? I have two AGA(now Aqueon) 210g’s in storage and they weigh far more than all my 7ft 240g’s as 12 Volt Man mentioned. They were definitely built better, almost as good as Oceanic. I do like that Marineland and Aqueon use black silicone in their reef ready tanks as I loathe clear silicone.

To answer your question as long as they’re in similar shape I’d choose the Aqueon for the added water volume.

 

[quikv6]

I have owned tanks by all three brands. Out of the three, Seapora had the best fit and finish by far. I cant speak to glass thickness, as I have owned various sizes of the 3 brands, but in addition to aesthetics, the Seapora tank seemed to have the thickest, cleanest rims. They just felt thicker and heftier.

That would be my vote. When I bought my Seapora, it was somehow connected/branded to Aquarium Masters. I don't know if that was the parent company, but it's worth mentioning.

Marineland had some issues with their large Deep Dimension tanks, but they are no longer made. In fairness to them, they were very transparent about those issues when I was looking for one, as I had called them with a few questions.