Large tanks: Buy or DIY?

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donaldmboyer

Feeder Fish
Jan 8, 2008
2
0
0
Southfield MI
Hi Everyone!

This is my first post! Whoop! :D

I referred to this site by a moderator over at APC; he suggested that "yous" would be more knowledgable regarding my questions.

I am looking to have a 60"x60"x20"H aquarium either custom built or if it is too pricey, perhaps I'll try to build one myself. So, my questions are:

1. Should I buy one? Glass or Acrylic, and can anyone recommend a store online or in Michigan that would be able to do this for a reasonable amount of $$? I know it will cost me a pretty penny, but I don't want to be overcharged either.

2. Should I attempt to make the tank? Again, do you guys recommend glass or acrylic? And, does anyone know a good DIY post or instructions somewhere that I could follow easily? Anyone perhaps know where I could order the glass or acrylic that I will need?

Thanks, guys! What I thought would be pretty straight-forward questions have really turned into a nightmare, so I am hoping that people here are more knowledgeable than other places that I have tried. Salty's are the masters, and I could use that help!

Thank you!
Don
 
i say build it and go with glass cheaper(but heavire). i would try glassgages.com but havent used them before.
 
Personally I wouldn't recomend taking on a project of this size as a FIRST tank build...but in general you'll always get a lot more tank for your money if you build it yourself.

I prefur glass tanks whenever possible. Acryllic is easier to work with but you need a GOOD design to start out with that has proper bracing along the top to prevent future problems. Glass needs braced as well but it's less critacal.

The advantages of having a tank built for you is that you then benifit from the expierance of the manufacturer. They have a far better idea of structural design elements and can generally get the raw materials for a fraction of what you'd end up paying.
 
well what ever you choose good luck.
 
WHoa! Fast replies here! :D THanks, guys!

Can you recommend any reputable stores? I haven't been too impressed by what I've heard regarding...."GC's".....any other suggestions?
 
This sites a bit more active than most....plus you posted at rush hour...so to speak.
 
almost forgot welcome to MFK :):)
 
im going to buy my 360gal tank from aquariums for you and you have a chance to get a top of line filtion system from them in which im also getting there's also ATM, tencor and aquariums by the sea but ill look at aquarium for you frist also with a tank that big it going to be very expensive to buy and im get acrylic cause they have a less chance of leaking and as long as you take proper care of the acrylic it wont get scratches on it
 
thefordgt;1408912; said:
im going to buy my 360gal tank from aquariums for you and you have a chance to get a top of line filtion system from them in which im also getting there's also ATM, tencor and aquariums by the sea but ill look at aquarium for you frist also with a tank that big it going to be very expensive to buy and im get acrylic cause they have a less chance of leaking and as long as you take proper care of the acrylic it wont get scratches on it
Click to expand...

Acryllic is lighter and less likely to leak if handled properly HOWEVER it will scratch....how quickly and how bad depends on the maintaince and the set up but they DO scratch and generally fairly quickly.
 
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