Mind : Blown!

[WarDog]

I was just quoted $190 for a custom 13 gal ATO reservoir made of polycarbonate. The material alone is $120. I am completely shocked! I haven't spoken to a glass shop yet but I am guessing it isn't much cheaper.

Anyone got any ideas? Perhaps some used glass or poly/lexan kicking around? I need 7 feet by 18 inches.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by WarDog

I was just quoted $190 for a custom 13 gal ATO reservoir made of polycarbonate. The material alone is $120. I am completely shocked! I haven't spoken to a glass shop yet but I am guessing it isn't much cheaper.

Anyone got any ideas? Perhaps some used glass or poly/lexan kicking around? I need 7 feet by 18 inches.

Post up a few pics or sketches (with dimensions) of what you're wanting to build. $190 seems pretty ridiculous. I've built many acrylic/polycarbonate items and I have a hard time believing it's that much. Hell, the custom, polished-edge glass sheets with coast to coast overflow notches cost to build my 50G cost less than $200.

If you show me what you want to build I can give you a pretty good ballpark cost and tell you how (or even help you, if I'm in town) to build the thing.

[MarkoD]

It's because the place/person you asked to build it doesn't wanna screw around with small projects for small amounts of money.

[BMW Rider]

I found a nice 12 gallon RV water tank that was the right dimensions to fit where I wanted it to for my TO water. It was around $100.

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Post up a few pics or sketches (with dimensions) of what you're wanting to build. $190 seems pretty ridiculous. I've built many acrylic/polycarbonate items and I have a hard time believing it's that much. Hell, the custom, polished-edge glass sheets with coast to coast overflow notches cost to build my 50G cost less than $200.

If you show me what you want to build I can give you a pretty good ballpark cost and tell you how (or even help you, if I'm in town) to build the thing.

Thank-you for your offer. Please find sketch below. I am still shopping around and thinking of alternatives. It's been about 25 years since I have bought any plastics so maybe I am just in shock as to the inflation of it all. Perhaps $120 is what a 7'x18" piece goes for.

Originally Posted by MarkoD

It's because the place/person you asked to build it doesn't wanna screw around with small projects for small amounts of money.

You are probably correct, although he did say the material was $120. That puts the labour at $70. I could do it myself. I was really blown away at the price of the plastic.

Originally Posted by BMW Rider

I found a nice 12 gallon RV water tank that was the right dimensions to fit where I wanted it to for my TO water. It was around $100.

I am still trying to find something that will fit the space, sounds like you got really lucky!!

[ReEf BoSs]

70 is pretty cheap labour costs for anything unless it take less than an hour.