Not sure what to do...

[haxjester]

So I abandoned the plan to build my own glass aquarium. The cost of the glass compared to other materials has changed my mind (not that much cheaper than acrylic around here). So right now I am undecided on what to do. There is a 220 glass pre-drilled built in overflows, 72x24x24, w\stand and canopy that I can get for 700 obo right now....Or I can build a 190 acrylic 78x30x18 3/4 and a stand/canopy for about the same price. The extra length and width would be very nice and the loss of the height is not a large factor (mostly bichirs in the tank, and one silver aro, and retic rays added later). The tank will be bare bottom so I will not lose any height to substrate. I basically have a couple questions:

What are your opinions on which way I should go?

If I go with building an acrylic, does anyone have any practical experience with building one? I have read all of milkman's posts on DIY acrylic, and was originally inspired by this link:
http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiytank/bndiytank.htm
Any tips or tricks? Is the "pin/match" trick helpful? Get the edges routed at the supplier or just smooth myself (supplier said he has a new blade and cuts very well with minimal grooves) ? Necessary to use a one piece top, or are strip braces ok? Add Weld-On #16 to all seams for extra protection even if the seams come out well?

Thanks in advance.

 

[cvermeulen]

if you've never built an acrylic tank before... just from my own experiences with acrylic, I would recommend buying the 72x24x24, and maybe building a 50gal hospital tank before attempting such a huge tank. Just on the basis that if a seam fails for whatever reason.... you have an unimaginable mess. The larger area would be nice to have, don't get me wrong... just a word of caution - an acrylic seam that seems A-OK may give up working after a few months, and then you have a real disaster.

 

[portabuddy]

make a glass one or buy one... dont make a acrylic one., unless you make a plywood tank with a acrylic front.

 

[edtriou]

There is a 220 glass pre-drilled built in overflows, 72x24x24, w\stand and canopy that I can get for 700 obo right now....

$700 for a 220, reef-ready, stand/canopy, lights, is a good deal.
I'm guessing that probably also includes the sump/pumps?
I paid more than that for the tank alone, new.

Ed

 

[portabuddy]

Even if you paid 700 for just the tank thats not a bad price, bigals near my house sells a 220 for $800...

I would go for that, ok no i would make my own but i think you should def. go for the premade and make a smaller one.

 

[DustinB32]

72x24x24 is 180 gallons not 210. I believe a 210 is 29 or 30 inches tall.

 

[haxjester]

72x24x24 is 180 gallons not 210. I believe a 210 is 29 or 30 inches tall.

72Lx24Wx28T I originally misquoted what the person told me. So 210g.

Thanks for all the input. I think I will take everyone's advice and grab this deal. I still do want to experiment with making an acrylic tank, but I'll prob start off trying to make a sump.

 

[Dr Joe]

72Lx24Wx28T I originally misquoted what the person told me. So 210g.

Thanks for all the input. I think I will take everyone's advice and grab this deal. I still do want to experiment with making an acrylic tank, but I'll prob start off trying to make a sump.

Best plan!