Anybody Deal With Bow Valley Aquariums?

mark · #1 12-16-2009, 01:58 AM

Lots of BVA threads, here being a more recent one.

lastlight · #2 12-16-2009, 02:17 AM

And normally I post in them but this time...

oh. shoot.

Palmer · #3 12-16-2009, 02:18 AM

I have a tank and sump I bought second hand and they were built at BV. No complaints so far although it is not fully set up and running yet. I filled it with FW did the plumbing and ran it, no leaks in the tank or sump.

Palmer

sphelps · #4 12-16-2009, 02:25 AM

BVA is good for the money you pay, super cheap and good construction. I've never heard of a single problem despite the false info people provide about recycled glass. They do use crops from various glass stores around the city to save money but it's still new glass. Sometimes the glass is etched as a result but, of course, it wouldn't be used on a viewable side, usually just the base. And the whole shower door statement is nothing but rediculous, you can't cut tempered glass, think about it.

The only issue people really have is delivery but I've heard good things lately. Just recently someone here in town got a very large tank and sump delivered within a few weeks for less than half what I would pay just for materials. All I know is don't pay up front and deal with someone other than Mitch (can't remember other guys name)

MMAX · #5 12-16-2009, 02:48 AM

Yep, dealt with them. Yes good quality and that's all I'll say in here. If anyone wants to know my honest opinion fire me a pm.

fishytime · #6 12-16-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

And the whole shower door statement is nothing but rediculous, you can't cut tempered glass, think about it.

Who said its been tempered at this stage?....is it not possible that the person cutting or etching the glass made a mistake before the tempering process?...either way, most people would probably not want a tank scabbed together out of Buford's bargain glass bin

sphelps · #7 12-16-2009, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

Who says it been tempered at this stage?....is it not possible that the person cutting or etching the glass made a mistake before the tempering process?...either way most people would probably not want a tank scabbed together out of Buford's bargain glass bin

Then it's not a shower door is it? It's just glass, perfectly good glass that was never used.
I've seen many tanks from BVA that cost half compared to anyone else and the quality seems fairly equal. I'll gladly make or buy a tank made from scraps/crops if it says me that kind of money.
Somebody obviously never learned about the 3 Rs

globaldesigns · #8 12-16-2009, 04:15 AM

Even though I refuse to deal with Elite anymore, I can say he built my tank and I do agree with Lastlight. Colby and Jay know how to build.

Kevin at Red Coral also builds nice tanks and they are not overprised. Check him out.

I do agree with Fishytime, you do want to buy from reputable LFS. You do get what you pay for, and do you really want to take a chance with a flood.

fishytime · #9 12-16-2009, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Then it's not a shower door is it? It's just glass, perfectly good glass that was never used.
I've seen many tanks from BVA that cost half compared to anyone else and the quality seems fairly equal. I'll gladly make or buy a tank made from scraps/crops if it says me that kind of money.
Somebody obviously never learned about the 3 Rs

The OP inquired about "monster tanks"(does BV even do anything over 200g?)....if I am the OP and I am spending $?000 on a ?00 gallon tank, I want my glass to be molten when the glass cutter gets it, not a mistake from some shower installation company...if the OP wants a big chain store quality tank than he should call Pisces

lastlight · #10 12-16-2009, 04:27 AM

Mitch builds all or almost all of Pisces' tanks FYI.

Obviously this excludes the name brand ones they also carry.

The cost of any tank BUT one built by mitch is calculated as follows:

(1) Materials + (2) Labour + (3) Premium for not dealing with Mitch.

(3) is by far a higher number than 1 or 2. It's also worth it.

Don't pay the guy and see what luck you have. Once you pay him and I made this mistake...you're stuck harassing him, visiting his shop repeatedly to find it not even open when he said it would be, and many lies. After all that his seams are ugly. His tanks in-wall are ok though.