Where to buy rimless starfire aquariums in New England?

[STiTCH87]

So, as some of you may already know, I am moving in the fall, and will finally have the space and opportunity to once again have a large fish tank.

I haven't exactly decided on a cube vs. average dimension, however, I HAVE decided I want it to be both rimless, and starfire.
Are there any places in the New England area that sell rimless starfire tanks? Or anywhere that ships to MA?

I want to avoid glasscages if I can only because of some horror stories i've read about them.
If I can get one with normal dimensions, that may be good so that I can easily find a stand for it, since i'm not exactly feeling building my own stand, lol.

I was thinking something in the general area of 55-80 gallons. Maybe roughly a 20g sump. If the sump can be supplied from the same place as the tank that'd be awesome. Or if they sell tank, sump, and stand together like GlassCages does, then that's awesome too. =]

Trying to keep total price under $1,500 if possible. Even if only the front glass is starfire.

 

[Andy V]

Good luck. I recently called a few places for a custom 60 cube and it's going to be between $1500-$2000 for the tank alone (shipped). I went with a coast to coast custom 60 cube which is amazing, but very, very expensive. Lead times are pretty long too. BTW, I don't know of anyone in New England...closest is Coast to Coast 7 hours away in NJ.

Best Custom builders in order (my opinion):

Reef Savvy - Florida. You will not find a single complaint and nothing but praise anywhere on the internet with this guy Felix. Not the most expensive, but close. LONG lead times...sometimes six months.

A.G.E. - Texas. Old Oceanic guys. Prices are supposedly expensive but I never got a quote from them. Their tanks are awesome. The old Oceanic guys split in two companies. Google custom tanks Texas and the other company will pop up...I just never saw one of their tanks or know much about them.

Coast to Coast Aquariums - NJ. Probably the highest prices. Lead times about 6-8 weeks. Very happy with mine.

Miracles - Canada. Best value...just hope you aren't one of the 5% or so that has a problem. Six week lead time typically. Usually their tanks are great, but there are more than a few people that have had problems. Unpack the box before you take shipment.

Glass Cages - Don't bother.

 

[Andy V]

BTW, I called some glass places to see if I could build it myself...regular plate glass at 1/2" thickness was going to cost $600. Not sure how great of a price that was...

 

[Andy V]

Oh yeah...there is the Deep Blue 60 Cube with low-iron front pane. Finding an acceptable one is like playing the lottery. Just do a leak test!

 

[thomb]

The Elos stuff is sweet and they ship - or you can take a trip down to NY (they've got a new retail store)
http://www.elosusa.com/store/browse/aquariums
The aquarium only sounds pretty close to your budget if you go with their "70"

 

[STiTCH87]

I was looking at Deep Blue Edge. They seem pretty decent, but like you said, i'd have t leak test. That's what worries me is quality. It surprises me, I see so many people on here with large starfire tanks, and none of them have chimed in where they gt them yet.

 

[Flame Angel]

Gee, I thought one just sold at the recent club auction for well under $200 with low iron glass that was built during BRASS. I believe it was like 2' square.

 

[Kungfukid]

if the tank is not going to be customized then pretty much any LFS could order them for you.

 

[Andy V]

I was looking at Deep Blue Edge. They seem pretty decent, but like you said, i'd have t leak test. That's what worries me is quality. It surprises me, I see so many people on here with large starfire tanks, and none of them have chimed in where they gt them yet.

I think your worries are well placed.

 

[JohnK]

Gee, I thought one just sold at the recent club auction for well under $200 with low iron glass that was built during BRASS. I believe it was like 2' square.

That was the cube that Dave McReeferson built at the last CRA sponsored meeting. Dave is hobbiest / DIY er.

Most of the big custom starfire tanks you see/hear of are custom builds that cost big $$$, usually from one of the builders that AndyV mentioned (or the other one, name escapes me, that is no longer in buisness.). There is no local professional tank builder.

 

[63vette427]

I ahve also heard great things about Reef Savvy. When i'm ready for my upgrade, that's where my money is going..

 

[PSU4ME]

I just bought a 120 with 3 sides starphire and eurobracing around the top edge for $1,200 shipped to the ABF depot in bridgewater. 7-8 week build time. And the build was great......very clean. I have some pics if you want to see them.

 

[jarrodsanborn]

Psu4me did you use reefsavy?

 

[PSU4ME]

Hahaha my bad.....I left out the most important part! I went with Miacles in Toronto......pretty easy/seamless transaction.

 

[STiTCH87]

$1,200 for a 120 gallon. Does that mean half the gallons (60g) may be half the price ($600)??? Heh cuz that'd be kickass.

 

[erikjphillips]

Avoid Deep Blue, i had issues with a light and they were a NIGHTMARE to deal with.

 

[STiTCH87]

There's really no local builders?

I sent an email to the people at PicoAquariums.com since they supposedly make custom tanks and ship them within the US.

They had rimless pico/nanos with starfire glass AIO setups for a few hundred bucks! Hell if I don't go big, I may just go this route and get like a 22g. For the price, it's not a bad feeling.

 

[Ruge13]

I have a 130g Miracles Rimless. 3 sides starfire, external overflow. 3/4" glass, its a heavy tank. I was not one of the 5% luckily The tank is great, 1.5 years with no issues. Was not cheap, but they came recommended. I also chose to go with them because they had successfully built a bunch of larger rimless tanks. I felt like I was buying quality and experience, not a garage shop that thought they just needed more silicone to make a rimless.

I never had to use it but I heard from reliable sources that if an issue is found on delivery they stand by the work and will replace etc.

If you have never had starfire before, treat it like acrylic. It is soooooofffffttt.

 

[Andy V]

$1200 for the 120 gallon? What is the height and glass thickness? They wanted more than that from me for a 60 cube...

 

[STiTCH87]

With how difficult it is to find a good-paying job in Massachusetts, why do I feel like myself, and a few other members on here, should rent out a shop and build custom tanks? You all have to admit, there's not much out there in general for tank suppliers, nevermind custom tanks. And locally? Forget it. I think we should start our own company!

BRS Tanks? =] Has a nice ring to it...