Which of these is Better Deal ??

[Redoog]

Please look these over carefully please. Don't need any hasty post, LOL

Here is my plan http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262743


Glasscages

72 x 18 x 17 glass $ 292.00

Starphire front $ 92.00

4 - 2 3/4 holes $ 100.00

4 sch 80 bulkheads $ 60.00

1/2 " bottom $ 50.00

Shipping I pick up 100 mile round trip $30 gas
-------------
Total $ 624.00
2 top braces max 18 openeings for background work




Tru Vue

72x18x18 Acrylic $599.00

Holes predrilled $32.

sch 40 bulkheads $36.00

Shipping FREE
-----------------------
Total $ 667.00
1 brace 2 opening for background work.


FYI--They do not recomend or discourage the use of foam BTW, Only said it must be fully support on the bottom, like mine cabinet is.


Gallons ?? I would gain 1 " with truvue, but how much would i lose due to thinkness of acrylic vs glass? IDK differances.

Wait would be about the same either location. 2-3 weeks.

While glasscages has been Ok to deal with, a little harsh on some things, TruVue was overly friendly, and did not even try to sell me a tank, just called me and told me the qoute, and have a nice day. I called back today, still no salesmanship, just answered my questions, as pleasant as could be, qoute is good for 30 days, have a nice day.

I could drill the acrylic myself, but why if they are willling, for 32.00 what if i messed up?

I could save 92 off glass, but worried their glass looks kinda green. Anyone have one without saphire glass?

Give me some good feedback. i was planning a $300 tank, wife not so happy I am doubling it, so whatever i do it beter be good.

 

[Toby_H]

Acrylic is lighter than glass... but this 100 gal tank shouldn't be that heavy so I don't feel this is really that much of an advantage...

The Glass Cages tank is cheaper... But a $45 savings isn't that much when you will likely have and enjoy the tank for 10+ years...

Not having to drive the 100 miles to pick it up is nice... but again, it's a small savings for 10+ years worth of enjoymnet, plus being able to go to Glass Cages might be kind of neat...

I've heard only good things about New Vue's quality... have heard mixed reviews about Glass Cages...

The 1" difference will have very minimal impact on the fish... but I feel my 125 gal looks to short, so the 1" loss may affect you (aesthetics).

Acrylic scratches much easier than glass... but you can buff scrathes out of acrylic where once glass is scratched it is scratched (although i recently talked with someone who buffed his glass using telescope lens buffing techniques).


All in all... I don't think either one is that much of a better deal... So weight the conveniences and inconveniences of each and see which ones mean more to you...


I bought an Oceanic non drilled glass 125 gal with stand, glass tops & lights for $500 locally... It's been a few years but I know the same store was making the same offer 2 years ago... haven't checked since...

Therefore I believe you could find a better deal locally on a non drilled tank... and take it to a local glass shop and give them a few bucks to drill it...

When you go to the glass shop, if you make a big deal out of it they will too, and then they will charge you like it's a big deal. But if you talk like a shop guy, say you were going to do it yourself but someone suggested you swing by and let them do it, since it's so quick and easy and you have the tank in the car already...

 

[Redoog]

Thanks nutcase, I have been following some of your posts with interest BTW.

I am trying to locate a local tank. And i did contact a local glass shop, did like you siad, he said he could drill it for a few bucks, IF, IF he had a bit the size of my bulkheads.

No big towns around, so he has limited sizes.

I would buy something used if i could, but I am set on the size, want it as big as will fit, 72x18x18 is about max. I could go 74, and maybe 20 tall, if I can build a very short lighted hood. so 72x18x18 is about perfect.

have you seen my filtration plan? Wondering our thoughts, I am planning on doubling my filter media, and making it easy to replace.

 

[Redoog]

Anyone else??

I am kind of leaning towrds tru vue. Let me tell you why.

They were very nice, and though they are higher, we are talking glass vs acrylic, they charge less for the other services, drilling and bulk heads. Maybe doesnt make sense, but 160 vs 68, says more about their customer service. They know they are making money on the tank, so dont try and make a killing from the drilling and extras.

Sorta like car lots used to do. When automatic transmission filled the lota, they used to be options. When most cars came with them, some places still charged extra for an auto, even when they did not have a manual on the lot. I would go somewhere else, that did NOT charge for an "OPTION" that was on every car they had.

 

[Toby_H]

^5 to the man willing to pay a bit more to support the company with integrity!

 

[sostoudt]

are you willing to buff the the acrylic, would be my main decision maker. im pretty sure you will get scratches as you will have substrate because of the ugf, hopefully they will remain low and light. im not sure but i think acrylic means no razor blades.
are we set on the alligator snapping turtle, this will probably scratch the tank.

if this was a choice just between a starphire tank and acrylic i would choose starphire. how ever there are multiple factors.

acrylic and starphire seems unnecessarily nice for natives tank with out high quality specimens, sounds like you will just catch them in your signature(yes i know i recommended starphire in the other thread, but it all depends on how much you enjoy clarity and beauty of the fish you choose, will you use tanins may make clarity useless).

what the hell truvue has a better reputation id go with truvue.

 

[Redoog]

ddint think about the turtle, i guess because all the turtle tanks you see are acrylic. Well turtle would be something i could give up. probably eat the fish anyhow.

thanks for catching that. BTW

 

[sostoudt]

ddint think about the turtle, i guess because all the turtle tanks you see are acrylic. Well turtle would be something i could give up. probably eat the fish anyhow.

thanks for catching that. BTW

alligators get huge anyway much to big for that tank to support it with fish on any kind of normal filtration.

 

[sostoudt]

not sure if this next one is real