lol! There was tons of wood protecting the tank and I could have built a couple stands too!You are going to have enough glass to build another tank!
Guess whats in the box?
- Thread starter DMD123
- Start date
MattArmstrong
Member
Glad you're liking the Custom Aquariums tank. I've not seen many reviews of them so I'm watching with interest. What do you think of their aluminum framing?
I think it is pretty funny that their price sheet offers a 15 gallon aquarium for $323, made from 1/2" glass! I'm willing to bet they have never sold one. Their value proposition begins at the larger sizes, clearly.
The one nit I have with their price sheet is inaccuracy in what they call "model gallons". E.g. a 65 gallon tall is usually 36w * 24H * 18D, but their equivalent is labeled with "model gallons" of 75. (I'm looking at http://customaquariums.com/s-4-all-aquarium-standard-sizes.aspx).
I think it is pretty funny that their price sheet offers a 15 gallon aquarium for $323, made from 1/2" glass! I'm willing to bet they have never sold one. Their value proposition begins at the larger sizes, clearly.
The one nit I have with their price sheet is inaccuracy in what they call "model gallons". E.g. a 65 gallon tall is usually 36w * 24H * 18D, but their equivalent is labeled with "model gallons" of 75. (I'm looking at http://customaquariums.com/s-4-all-aquarium-standard-sizes.aspx).
Im super happy with the tank. The aluminum frame is great, I like the way its done and I know its stronger than plastic. Since Ive had a plastic frame crack before (120g tank) this was a big deal to me.
Yeah the price sheet could use some work! I really suggest just calling them. When I first was looking into the tank I wanted a 240g. At least that's what EVERY OTHER company calls it! Custom Aquariums calls it a 280g (24 x 24 x 96). I was pretty set on it until I saw the price to go up to 30". It was barely any more, with a large amount of gallons added. Well that brought up an issue with whether 1/2" glass was adequate. Turns out the actual tank comes with 5/8" and the calculator does not even show this as a choice.
Its funny you mention the 65g.... Im looking at getting one of those next!
My puffer currently is in a 40B but I hate the fact its a Tetra brand tank and you can kind of see a bit of bowing to it. Also a bit shallow for my liking. but yeah funny they call it a 75g when everyone else says 65g breeder size.
Yeah the price sheet could use some work! I really suggest just calling them. When I first was looking into the tank I wanted a 240g. At least that's what EVERY OTHER company calls it! Custom Aquariums calls it a 280g (24 x 24 x 96). I was pretty set on it until I saw the price to go up to 30". It was barely any more, with a large amount of gallons added. Well that brought up an issue with whether 1/2" glass was adequate. Turns out the actual tank comes with 5/8" and the calculator does not even show this as a choice.
Its funny you mention the 65g.... Im looking at getting one of those next!
My puffer currently is in a 40B but I hate the fact its a Tetra brand tank and you can kind of see a bit of bowing to it. Also a bit shallow for my liking. but yeah funny they call it a 75g when everyone else says 65g breeder size.
Oh yeah was going to talk about the plastic frame issue. I had bought a Top FIN 120g tank new with stand from Petsmart. This was a cool size with a 60" x 18" footprint and it was made by Marineland. Over time the plastic frame cracked in the lower two opposing corners. This was noticed when I was going to sell the tank a little over a year and a half later because I got a 210g. Thankfully the Top Fin carried a lifetime warranty. I was able to take it back and get a full refund on it! But with this new large tank I did not want plastic frame or euro-bracing, I wanted something sturdy. Was happy with the aluminum frame choice.
Been down with a cold and have not done much well except fill the tank up
Side view. Very clear! Happy I went with the low iron glass!
Heaters are calibrating at 75 deg. will need to adjust them up a bit. Will put some sand in tomorrow.
Side view. Very clear! Happy I went with the low iron glass!
Heaters are calibrating at 75 deg. will need to adjust them up a bit. Will put some sand in tomorrow.
Well, the goal is to replace the 40B with a 65B but keep it as a hospital tank. The 75gallon will likely go just because I have no room in this little house.
So I have been battling getting the temps to rise with the two fancy 300 watt Fluval E series heaters I got going. These are way to advanced for their own good. After an entire evening (over 12 hours) going at an 80 degree setting the temp did not go up from the 75 deg. mark it was at. though the screens on them showed the temp was below the ideal. I replaced one of the heaters with a 250w SERA and within hours temps started to go up. Itts almost as if the fluvals are trying to protect from an overheat to the point where all they can do is maintain a low 75-77 temp range but can't actually heat colder water. Granted the heater is rated for 100g each and Im a bit over but Ive never had heaters just not budge like this. It should not be that difficult since the tanks are indoors and Im only trying to go up 2 degrees.
So I have been battling getting the temps to rise with the two fancy 300 watt Fluval E series heaters I got going. These are way to advanced for their own good. After an entire evening (over 12 hours) going at an 80 degree setting the temp did not go up from the 75 deg. mark it was at. though the screens on them showed the temp was below the ideal. I replaced one of the heaters with a 250w SERA and within hours temps started to go up. Itts almost as if the fluvals are trying to protect from an overheat to the point where all they can do is maintain a low 75-77 temp range but can't actually heat colder water. Granted the heater is rated for 100g each and Im a bit over but Ive never had heaters just not budge like this. It should not be that difficult since the tanks are indoors and Im only trying to go up 2 degrees.
Yes, tops were on. The original top sent fit but was loose. If my fish were in they could easily dislodge it and it could have fell in tank. But it was sealed enough to keep heat in. The main thing was the heater itself. The Fluval E just could not heat the water. I watched to coils turn red and then it would shut off right away. The SERA heater turned on and would stay on and actually heat.
Finally..... Haha
MattArmstrong
Member
I've heard good things about the Sera heaters. Kindof a retro throwback design that (maybe) hasn't yet been ruined by cheap build quality. Aren't they relatively short for the wattage?
One thing I've heard about the Fluval heaters is that they need to be in a spot with good flow. Was that the case in your tank?
One thing I've heard about the Fluval heaters is that they need to be in a spot with good flow. Was that the case in your tank?
I have used the hydor in line heaters on my 210g and they worked well but after some quality and longevity issues with some recent ones I had I decided not to use them anymore. What they make now is not the same as what is on my 210g that were purchased many years ago.
Ive used the SERA on other tanks for years and have had good success. They are reasonably sized with them being the equivalent size as the fluval. They are much shorter than an Eheim but not overly short. The Fluvals were placed near the intakes of the FX6 so the flow was fine. I had read up on that issue with them.
That's what I have, it's about 3 years old and have not had a problem, maybe I got one of the good ones?