I have always hated the guess what I got posts so... here is mine, lol
Guess whats in the box?
Hint, it from here: http://www.customaquariums.com/c-4-lifetime-aquariums.aspx
As you can see a lot of 2x4's and OSB used to protect the tank and stand. Also sheets of Styrofoam around the tank too!
It was held together with all these screws... there were probably even more than this, lol
Screw gun not included, you will need one.
All this wood was also around it. Lots of 2x4's! Well protected
Okay here it is:
Its my 300 gallon tank from: http://www.customaquariums.com/default.aspx
Check out the heavy duty aluminum frame:
http://www.customaquariums.com/c-4-lifetime-aquariums.aspx
It was tight seamed with no gaps. Well protected so no scratches either.
The new 300 gallon is at the house!
A build thread will be posted and a review:
Let me begin with some of the review:
Dealing with Custom Aquariums via phone and email has been a pleasure. They are prompt to get back with you even with what may seem like dumb questions on my part. You can tell there is a sense of pride in the product they make and that they really care to have you as a happy customer. (Likely also a repeat customer, you know we always want a bigger tank! lol)
As discussed previously the tank is custom built and did require time to make, I was quoted 12 weeks and sure enough they delivered in that time frame, unlike the contractor who was doing my remodel who was very late.
Upon getting my notice that the product was on the way, I was a bit nervous because I had never ordered anything like this before on a freight truck. Well no need to worry these guys do this for a living. Everything arrive in good shape. The items came in on a Fed Ex truck with a lift gate so no issues at all getting it out or in my garage. The driver too was patient and let me open the crates to examine/inspect for damage. Please note this is a requirement to check if you need to make a claim. Don't let a driver push you into signing without inspecting!
Tons of wood, screws and padding were in place to protect the tank, again you can tell its not their first time at this. No issues, everything in good shape, no scratches, dents or broken glass. Joked with friends that with all the wood they used to package this thing, I could have built a shed! Not really, but you see from the pics that it was a LOT of wood used to protect it!
I will say this, DO NOT SKIMP, RENT THE SUCTION CUPS! Now that that has been said, rent the suction cups. It may seem unnecessary but I am so glad I did it. The tank was a beast to bring inside the house. Took eight close friends and lots of beer. Remember move tank first, then beer!
http://customaquariums.com/s-6-delivery-moving-kits.aspx#moving-your-aquarium
Going back to the tank, I have to say there is pride in workmanship for sure. The aluminum frame seems were tight and the silicone well done. You can see by the pictures the upright vertical seems are very clean and well done with nice thick beads of black silicone used. I love the black silicone on tanks, if you have never had it you don't know what you are missing. It always looks clean even when you get a little algae on it you cant tell.
http://customaquariums.com/c-4-lifetime-aquariums.aspx
The stand too is well constructed with a high quality maple ply being used. While the stand seem light at least compared to the stand, it is plenty strong! I also loved that you could get it in white. This was my first white stand ever. Ive always had black stands. With our recent home remodel the tank was sharing an open concept floor plan with our kitchen that we just put white shaker cabinets in. So being able to match that up was a huge motivating factor to order fro Custom Aquariums.
http://customaquariums.com/c-9-majestic-stands-canopies.aspx
Side panel
side detail, not too much, just enough to give it some elegance.
I wanted the full warranty so I purchased everything to make sure to get this. This included the foam pad for under the tank. This is not a soft squishy foam or a Styrofoam but more of a super dense memory foam. That's the best way to describe it. This helps level out any imperfections and support the tank. A bit difficult the place the giant tank on the foam because it does not want to slide, this is where the suction cups came in handy to lift and move the tank in place on the foam.
http://www.customaquariums.com/s-6-delivery-moving-kits.aspx#moving-your-aquarium
Speaking of foam, when I unpacked the tank I looked all over for the foam... well it turns out it was under the tank! They used it to help cushion the tank during transport. Yep these guys have shipped a tank or two!
I could talk for days about how excited I am about this but will quit here and keep a progressive log of the build.
Oh if you cant tell from the review, I really have enjoyed the entire experience dealing with CustomAquariums.com and recommend them to anyone wanting a high quality aquarium.
Feel free to call or email them, They got back with me quickly on all my questions.
Guess whats in the box?
Hint, it from here: http://www.customaquariums.com/c-4-lifetime-aquariums.aspx
As you can see a lot of 2x4's and OSB used to protect the tank and stand. Also sheets of Styrofoam around the tank too!
It was held together with all these screws... there were probably even more than this, lol
Screw gun not included, you will need one.
All this wood was also around it. Lots of 2x4's! Well protected
Okay here it is:
Its my 300 gallon tank from: http://www.customaquariums.com/default.aspx
Check out the heavy duty aluminum frame:
http://www.customaquariums.com/c-4-lifetime-aquariums.aspx
It was tight seamed with no gaps. Well protected so no scratches either.
The new 300 gallon is at the house!
A build thread will be posted and a review:
Let me begin with some of the review:
Dealing with Custom Aquariums via phone and email has been a pleasure. They are prompt to get back with you even with what may seem like dumb questions on my part. You can tell there is a sense of pride in the product they make and that they really care to have you as a happy customer. (Likely also a repeat customer, you know we always want a bigger tank! lol)
As discussed previously the tank is custom built and did require time to make, I was quoted 12 weeks and sure enough they delivered in that time frame, unlike the contractor who was doing my remodel who was very late.
Upon getting my notice that the product was on the way, I was a bit nervous because I had never ordered anything like this before on a freight truck. Well no need to worry these guys do this for a living. Everything arrive in good shape. The items came in on a Fed Ex truck with a lift gate so no issues at all getting it out or in my garage. The driver too was patient and let me open the crates to examine/inspect for damage. Please note this is a requirement to check if you need to make a claim. Don't let a driver push you into signing without inspecting!
Tons of wood, screws and padding were in place to protect the tank, again you can tell its not their first time at this. No issues, everything in good shape, no scratches, dents or broken glass. Joked with friends that with all the wood they used to package this thing, I could have built a shed! Not really, but you see from the pics that it was a LOT of wood used to protect it!
I will say this, DO NOT SKIMP, RENT THE SUCTION CUPS! Now that that has been said, rent the suction cups. It may seem unnecessary but I am so glad I did it. The tank was a beast to bring inside the house. Took eight close friends and lots of beer. Remember move tank first, then beer!
http://customaquariums.com/s-6-delivery-moving-kits.aspx#moving-your-aquarium
Going back to the tank, I have to say there is pride in workmanship for sure. The aluminum frame seems were tight and the silicone well done. You can see by the pictures the upright vertical seems are very clean and well done with nice thick beads of black silicone used. I love the black silicone on tanks, if you have never had it you don't know what you are missing. It always looks clean even when you get a little algae on it you cant tell.
http://customaquariums.com/c-4-lifetime-aquariums.aspx
The stand too is well constructed with a high quality maple ply being used. While the stand seem light at least compared to the stand, it is plenty strong! I also loved that you could get it in white. This was my first white stand ever. Ive always had black stands. With our recent home remodel the tank was sharing an open concept floor plan with our kitchen that we just put white shaker cabinets in. So being able to match that up was a huge motivating factor to order fro Custom Aquariums.
http://customaquariums.com/c-9-majestic-stands-canopies.aspx
Side panel
side detail, not too much, just enough to give it some elegance.
I wanted the full warranty so I purchased everything to make sure to get this. This included the foam pad for under the tank. This is not a soft squishy foam or a Styrofoam but more of a super dense memory foam. That's the best way to describe it. This helps level out any imperfections and support the tank. A bit difficult the place the giant tank on the foam because it does not want to slide, this is where the suction cups came in handy to lift and move the tank in place on the foam.
http://www.customaquariums.com/s-6-delivery-moving-kits.aspx#moving-your-aquarium
Speaking of foam, when I unpacked the tank I looked all over for the foam... well it turns out it was under the tank! They used it to help cushion the tank during transport. Yep these guys have shipped a tank or two!
I could talk for days about how excited I am about this but will quit here and keep a progressive log of the build.
Oh if you cant tell from the review, I really have enjoyed the entire experience dealing with CustomAquariums.com and recommend them to anyone wanting a high quality aquarium.
Feel free to call or email them, They got back with me quickly on all my questions.
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