VERY custom tank builders in Calgary?
 

Hey There,
I know that Golds will build me a tank, not sure how custom they will make it for me though. I did get a quote from Denis but it was a very standard tank. I want a 72" x 32" x 24" rimless tank with 1/2" plate starfire on three sides, external box style overflow drilled with 3 holes and 5 holes drilled on the bottom plate. It will involve some acrylic work for the overflow teeth (bonding glass to acrylic unless the builder can cut the teeth from glass) I have been trying to look for someone that builds very custom tanks and am finding there isn't many people/places out there that will do it for me. Anyone have a tank custom built here in Calgary and are very happy with it? Care to share who built it for you?
Thanks so much!
Theresa

have you checked out bow valley aquariums ? they will build whatever you want, but im sure golds will get it built any way you want aswell, you just have to be very specific in what you want?

Theresa,

Aquarium Illusions out of Edmonton builds custom tanks to your spec. Also, Aquarium Obsessions out of Toronto does too. I know both seem far away but I've got a quote from both and it wasn't as bad as it sounds and I'm farther away than you. To put perspective on it, Aquarium Obsessed is like the Oceanic of customer tank builders...higher quality and very good ratings. Aquarium Illusions is like the All Glass builders...very good quality and nice decent ratings.
I've also heard that Albert is an excellent resource for getting anything you want and he's helped me any time I've been into Golds. I just don't know who builds their tanks for them.

Here is a thread that you might want to follow along with as it is close to what I plan to get and similar to what you're looking for.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37962

Again, this is all just my opinion from the research I've done, but I can tell you that the knowlegeable people on here will really help you out.

Mark.

I'm pretty sure Gold can build you that tank. You should ask specifically (it sounds like you didn't before).

Acrylic over glass overflows is quite common actually. Although usually for glass overflows, instead of teeth, you usually see black eggcrate. This might be slightly advantageous because eggcrate is easily replaced whereas a broken overflow tooth might not be as easily redone.

My 280g was built by Bow Valley, although it was 3 years ago. I'm aware of their reputation but they were fine for me and based on my experience alone I'd have no reason not to go back and have another built. That said, I know the tanks that Albert & Dennis build are fine too.

Just be firm with what you want when you speak to a builder ... it helps to have drawings. I found there were a couple of things I wasn't that firm on and I got talked out of doing (for the sake of a lower cost) but in the end I kind of wish I had insisted on - the problem was I didn't really know what I want so I kind of let the builder steer me on a couple issues. Looking back, now that I have the tank in the spot I want it there are things I wish I had done differently (eg. overflow in particular). Oh well, it is what it is, I'll live with it since the alternative is .. well .. not practical. So my best advice is plan this as detailed as you can, do some drawings and say "This is what I want. Make it so!" :)


PS. Welcome to Canreef!

Depite my bad experience with them, you should also see who can get uou a quote on a Miracles tank. Historically they build great tanks and can include any feature you can think of.

I do have pretty detailed drawings and yes have found that some just like to do it 'Their' way and are very opinionated. I have some good resources now and hopefully will find someone to build it the way I want. Here is a link to Brian's build thread on reefcentral. It is very similar to what I want. When I start my build I will start a build thread here for you all. Thanks so much!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

Theresa

bow valley builds nice tanks at a good price, ive got a couple built and im always happy with the result

Not to sound like a snob or anything, but just because it looks good on paper doesn't mean it actually is.

eg. you realize that drilling the bottom of the tank is probably the worse thing you can do eh? The reason dude is gonna get away with it is because his bottom plate ISN'T glass, it's PVC. Also, buddy is using Durso's in his overflow box. From a design standpoint, Durso's are strictly inferior to Herbie's. His sump also mandates an external skimmer as it cannot maintain water level without constant attention or a level controlling monitor.

That said, what exactly was it that you wanted with this tank? Give me a call at the store (Gold Aquariums) if you want to discuss these custom features.

Edit:

http://canreef.com/vbulletin/showthr...t=36052&page=2

I had a custom sump built by Golds in December. I took in the dimensions and Albert designed a baffle system for me. Built exactly as drawn and the baffles do exactly what they should. Very happy with the result.

I also have a custom tank from Bow Valley that was built in the past year for Hurley who posted on this thread. It's a nice solid tank that meets my needs perfectly. I had to add an internal overflow because it was originally built to be used with a canister. Just went to Speedy Glass and had the pieces cut, then siliconed them in myself.

got o golds I have dealt with bow valley before they are horrible, (likes to lie). I have had a couple tanks built through golds and they do a much better job, and they dont lie about how long it will be before you get the tank, I should have a custom tank hoppfully today thhat I had order form them I will post pics if it shows up today and then you can make the call. I got a 60g with herbies style external overflow returns in the euro brace starfire pannels and a custom sump designed by albert.

Lets here more about your tank now :)

My display is 72"l x 26"w x 24" high - 12mm starphire on the three viewable sides. I do not use standpipes, and do not see the issue with drilling the bottom of a tank.

Seeing as Albert just built my tank in the fall, thought I would offer my 2 cents. I am fairly new to this hobby (< 1 year) and am realising a lot of it is trial and error. When I had my tank/stand built, I thought I had everything exactly the way I wanted it, and wouldnt want anything done differently. Now that is is set up & running, there are several things I would have done different on both the tank and the stand. Overall I am definately happy with the tank the way it is, but when I upgrade :lol: I know what I will do differently.

Seeing as you seem to know exactly what you want, I think you will be fine. They herbie for overflow is awesome as many others will attest to, but I recommend tracking a gate valve down, even though Albert will tell me to suck it up and be patient with the ball valve :biggrin:

Goodluck, cant wait to see the build thread!

[quote=jasond;295135]I recommend tracking a gate valve down, even though Albert will tell me to suck it up and be patient with the ball valve :biggrin: [\quote]

LOL I hear ya!! I think I finally have my ball valve dialed in.. despite what Albert says it is a really is a pain in the backside! If I was to do it again I would order a gate online.

Had my tank built by Elite and was happy with it. Albert (golds) then convinced me of a few changes (specifically the Herbie) which he did for me, and I couldn't be happier. He also helped me with my piping and deisgn of the system. All my research was great, but talking to a guy who deals with aquariums for a living was an eye opening expereience. My best advice is Go Herbie!

Like I said, very opinionated.... I will be getting multiple quotes and have done my homework on this.

:P

Just a quick note when i got a quote done on a tank, I used 7 or 8 business's around north america. Everyone said they could drill the bottom (glass) but it would have to be minimum 3/4 inch think and tempered. Decided against it :)

Someone meantioned contacting miracles?? I was in contact woith them before about building me a tank. Not as sophisticated as yours, but price was great. I got their email here if you want

info@miraclesaquariums.com

go to gold's..great service

That must have been a large tank.

No, not really, but in order to maintain integrity with the amount of hole is wanted drilled they said it needed to be that thick.

It's so great to hear about everyone's experiences, I really don't want this thread to be a builder basher though..... so I hope there is no offence to all the builders out there. Everyone is always entilited to their opinion good and bad. I am going to review my specs this weekend and hopefully post what I am thinking of. After I do that, I welcome everyone's feed back. But only on your personal experience would be great. There are good ways and bad ways of doing everything and when it comes to building a large tank its the strength and integrity that is the ultimate cause for concern. Everything else depends on how much work you really want to put into your system.

Having said that, Albert, I know that Brian used an external skimmer and PVC bottom. I am planning on that too. Hoping that I can have the bottom machined for the holes and made from 1" PVC is what I am looking for. When ever I talk to Denis about acrylic or PVC, his comment is "only glass" he comes across as very set in his ways....granted, he has aquaria experience, but I have done a lot of reading over the last year, and I am quite firm on my reasoning, (unless of course someone can convince me other wise without sounding negative and critical). I really can't wait to show you all but I need it more to scale than how I have it....mspaint just doesn't cut it :sad:
Cheers,
Theresa

There are no builders in Canada for PVC bottoms as far as I'm aware. I like the idea, it makes sense, but you'll have to bring a tank up from the States if you want this kind of build.

Regarding acrylic, here's a few first page links off the RC search engine:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ostid=11428532

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hlight=tenecor

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=790161

There was a point in time that I was dead set on acrylic being the superior material. We were fairly close to bringing in acrylic tanks, then I did some more objective research and found that the increased costs of acrylic is rarely worth the time/effort.

Everything I have read on pvc bottom tanks says you need to have some highly specialized or at the very least not common tools for bonding the glass and pvc (i think it was ultraviolent lights etc.) The people on RC who have them swear by them, i got a quote from I believe it was AE but shipping was out of my price range. Plus they are fairly new ideas and have not had a chance to &quot;stand the test of time&quot; so to speak. If i could have afforded it i would have done it in a second. As far as an acrylic tank all i know in my less then objectable opinion (only scanning threads, no real research) is i see time and time again people saying they would go glass if they could re-do it. That being said some of the larger &quot;show&quot; reefs on various boards use acrylic. I find these particular people have a certain foresight into their takes most people are lacking, they are very well thought out and the people have to money to do it right. Ie extra acryic for covers when cleaning in tank so no sand moves , specialized cleaning instruments/ideas etc. Not saying us normal folk are lacking in preparedness, just maybe the means... :)

Maybe a bit off topic, but what are the advantages to a PVC bottom?

You could throw a Rotweiller and four toddlers into a tank with a PVC bottom and it wouldn't break.

I wouldn't do something that cruel, to a dog...

Yeah, but what about 4 Albert_dao's and an Albertosaurus though? Still OK, or should the PVC be tempered first?

LMAO...obviously you have children.

*removed*

Would have to agree here my tank is 12mm tempered with 5 holes and I can jump up and down in it without breaking. I can stand on a piece of curved 5mm at work and it will only bust after I bounce up and down a bit.:biggrin:

Tempered bottom is the way to go if you want holes in the bottom. Just drill them first. Remember Its edges are its weakest point, but its 7 times stronger than float glass.
Just my 2 cents.

Well that is a interesting idea to use a PVC base ... I do have a few thoughts that come to mind though ...

a closed loop is not a " necessity " especially coming up from the bottom like that ... so if a closed loop is something you want and the tank is 30" or less ( front to back ) then utilizing the sides or the back would be just as effective IMO ( I had a 330G for 6 years [96 X 24 X 33 ] with 2 closed loops on the back using eductors and it was very effective ) ... so the cost of a hybrid material build like that will likely be higher than a all glass tank ... is it worth it ?

The other thought is that closed loops themselves require pumps that draw alot of amps and until you have actually had the pleasure of paying those hydro bills on a regular basis you may want to consider another energy efficient source for circulation ( ie. the new powerheads that stick on the glass [ cant remember the name :biggrin: ] that use low amps but generate huge flow ) ... the advantage here is that they can be moved later on as your coral start to grow so that optimal circulation is achieved no matter how mature the tank ) ... when compareing the cost of a closed loop now versus the powerheads ( last time I looked they were a few bucks :wink: ) you need to include the extra cost of the tank if you go PVC + the pumps + extra hydro cost per month + ocean motion + plumbing etc etc

the latter comments are part of my thought process for my next tank build which will definately be this year ( 450G ) ... I may plumb the tank for a closed loop or 2 from the start ( in case later on more energy efficient pumps come along ) but likely will utilize the powerheads instead

which brings me to the tank builder

Bow Valley are not trustworthy ... you can do a search here or on RC and you will get LOTS of hits on the subject ... if it looks like a rat, smells like a rat ... then likely it IS a RAT ( you can do a search under my name here for my experience with Bow Valley as well )

IF you decide to go all glass ( my recommendation ... acrylic scratches too easy and not sure if you can get that PVC combo here in Calgary for a practical price ) then the tank builder I would recommend locally would be Golds ... Albert and Dennis are very good to deal with ( opinions aside ) and they deliver what they promise for the price they promised - they built a tank for a friend of mine and it turned out exactly as specified :wink:

Hey!
 

Hi Steve,
Thanks so much for you post! I have been thinking about this quite a bit the last little while and yes, I am caving to the thought of having to use glass for the bottom. I really like the idea of PVC but am just not sure of the implications at this point to go ahead with it…not thinking with my heart here, just my brain. I have had to put the tank build on hold for the moment, :cry: hopefully only a month or two but Denise at Golds has assured me that he will be able to help me and since they have always been the most knowledgeable and helpful, I think I will give them my business for this as well. I am hoping to post up my design in a month or so to get some feedback!

Cheers,
Theresa