Large Custom Tank

[this is me]

Who would I go to to have a custom tank built? The dimensions are 12'x6'x2'. Units are in feet.
What is the appropriate estimate of the cost of this tank? Tank need to be rimless if possible and starfire glass.
Thanks!

 

[LosingSleep]

I imagine glasscages would build it because obviously money is no object.

 

[afboundguy]

Holy crap that's a big tank!!! Where is this going up? I wanna see it when it's up and running if it's close!!!

 

[BrianMac]

I imagine glasscages would build it because obviously money is no object.

I wouldn't go with glass cages. This tank would have to be built in place. I certainly wouldn't want to move it.

 

[Gina McReeferson]

I wouldn't go with glass cages. This tank would have to be built in place.

Agreed, definitely.

 

[joefitz]

I'd checkout the large tank forum on RC...more people with more experiences.

I had mine built by a guy in Canada but that was years ago...not sure who is in the market now.

Question about those dimensions...2 feet tall or 2 feet wide? I have to assume 2' tall. That would be quite a tank...and one heck of a bear to maintain. Have you planned out how you would access the tank? Mine is 6x3x2.5 and I can't even come close to reaching the bottom of the other side of the tank...luckily, it is a room divider so I can get access from both sides...but you that wouldn't help you a whole lot...

How will it be displayed...what are you thinking re: the viewing positions?

 

[Dave McReeferson]

I would not go with GC either, if you are investing in something like that you obviously want higher quality workmanship. I would also think building "in place" is the best option, that size tank would be extremely heavy empty (probably in the neighborhood of a ton), and it's dimensions would obviously in themselves pose some large challenges for moving.

I hesitate to guess the price as you are probably looking at specially ordered glass (outside the normally manufactured size range). Diamante glass may be available in that size though if you just want low iron and aren't stuck on the name...

 

[this is me]

Man, Elos just quoted over $20k!!
My dream just got shattered!

 

[Jim Tansey]

Thats one large tank, what did you hope to pay? I know nothing about prices in that size, but its very close to what I guessed it would be.

Jim

 

[JackTheReefer]

If you do not want to build it you could give John a call at www.aquariumobsessed.com , he is building my sisters new tank and his price was signifigantly less than other high end tank builders and according to RC forums he is the man for large tanks, pickings are slim for custom tank builders.

 

[kotu100]

how but just gettin 4 125g's and putting them side by side, 2 long 2 wide... LOL

 

[Miller]

Who would I go to to have a custom tank built? The dimensions are 12'x6'x2'. Units are in feet.
What is the appropriate estimate of the cost of this tank? Tank need to be rimless if possible and starfire glass.
Thanks!

Holy smokes....that is not a large custom tank, that is a MONSTER.

Man, Elos just quoted over $20k!!
My dream just got shattered!

Image how much it would cost each month on the electric bill.....lots of MH or T5s, HUGE skimmer, large pumps

 

[joefitz]

$20k sounds in the ballpark. I'm sure you could probably find some small builders that may do it for several thousand less but glass that size isn't cheap. The other thing to keep in mind is that the cost of the tank isn't even the only big problem -- it will probably cost a similar amount to equip the tank and then there is the issue of trying to stock something that large...

There are occasionally super-large tanks available on eBay...usually from sets that have been dismanted. But the shipping costs tend to be quite large and they won't have the holes you'd want either.

I think for a tank that big I'd want a solid $40-50k budget all told to have a good shot at getting it together.

I think the "ultimate" reasonably sized tank is 8x3x2 (or 2.5 if you have long arms). You can get that for a few thousand I'd guess, maybe a little more with Starfire. You can easily put together an entire, kick-butt system of that size for under $10k...and maybe even under $5k if you DIY most of it.

 

[marco67]

Check out Miracles they do awesome work and offer straight talk on design (where is safe to cut and not). Honestly on a tank like this I wouldn't be concerned on the $20K quotes I'd be worried about the cheaper ones . Also make sure that whoever you buy from is properly insured. On an install like this there can be large gaps between your homeowners policy, the dealers and the manufactures.

 

[this is me]

I'm almost embarrassed to say this but this is not what I'm planning on doing anytime soon. But it's good to know for future reference.
I think you are either crazy or a millionaire to spend this kind of money on a hobby during this troublesome economic time. I'm neither.
I appreciate the inputs. Definitely no GlassCage. I've seen their workmanship.

That reminds me, I haven't done a water change since I set up the new tank. Over two months now.

 

[pvh]

It might be a better investment than the stock market these days.

 

[Mr.HaHa]

I'd go with AGE in Texas. hands down one of THE best. SaltwaterB has a great relationship with them. i intend to go that route for my 280g.

 

[Kevin McG]

wow! that would be a monster system and $20k for that size tank from Elos sounded pretty reasonable to me. I can't wait till I do another big setup, its going to large in scale but not quite that big

That reminds me I need to grab my lottery tix on the way home from work today

 

[smcnally]

My next tank will be small...Probably a nano

 

[Arthur1]

Like said earlier there are a few glass tank builders and only a couple I'd trust myself on an aquarium as that. The equipment would be expensive as the structural support wouldn't be cheap either. I walked away from an account, for a few good reasons, and one part of the issue was going to be structural support and the guy not wanting it to go where it was supposed to. I know my name wasn't going on that one