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DIY or shop for used
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clubbby View Drop Down
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Joined: January 25 2012
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    Posted: February 06 2012 at 1:17pm
I mentioned in a post a week or so back that I was considering doing a DIY tank (reconsidering, hence this not being in DIY). I'm more serious about it and I'm thinking I want to do this in about 2 years, gives me a little time to save up the money needed for it and I want to make certain we've learned as much as we can from our current 55g.

I have every expectation for a tank of the size I'm considering (180g+) to cost me upwards of a grand just for the equipment, but I suffered immediate sticker shock when I priced out enough starphire 1/2" glass to make a ~180g tank (72x25x24) was nearly $1,000. Now, I didn't know where the best place to look so I just googled around until I found a glass shop online that would show me prices, so perhaps they were just an exceptional rip off but I refuse to pay anywhere near that. Is that realistic? If so I'm out of that market and will just keep an eye out here for a used tank of the desired size when I have the money.

Also while I'm on the topic, anyone have any money saving suggestions on stands? My intention was just to make a frame out of 2x4 studs (I'm thinking pressure treated wood given the weight) which my carpenter friend says could handle what I calculate to be roughly 2,000lbs weight, with vaneer sides and 4x 18 inch wide cabinet doors from home depot or Ikea or whatever. That seem like the cheapest way to do it or would others suggest differently?

Also any resources that anyone might be willing to share for DIY sumps, glass drilling, etc would be nice. I've seen posts on these things and I get how they work but I have no idea how to install them!
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Ryan Thompson View Drop Down
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So you are looking at a custom starphire 180+ gallon tank? Do you want it to be rimless? Honestly, you are looking at $3-4000 for that size tank, if not more!

I had Miracles up in Canada quote me price on a 36x24x20 rimless tank and it was about $1300 shipped. Your tank is over 2x as big and will require thicker glass with the added height.

I would never DIY that large of a tank and risk my house with that much water damage but that is just me.

I read an article a few years back that said it costs about $50/gallon to buy and stock a tank. I always thought that was extremely high but then I did some calculations and it was right on if not a little low even. Buying used can certainly help keep prices down but I would still plan on at least $50/gallon for a tank.

Heck, on a 180g tank the light would cost me around $1000 alone!
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clubbby View Drop Down
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Originally posted by Ryan Thompson Ryan Thompson wrote:

So you are looking at a custom starphire 180+ gallon tank? Do you want it to be rimless? Honestly, you are looking at $3-4000 for that size tank, if not more!

I had Miracles up in Canada quote me price on a 36x24x20 rimless tank and it was about $1300 shipped. Your tank is over 2x as big and will require thicker glass with the added height.


WAS, yes. Now that you've told me the prices I've read were a realistic if not an underball expectation, custom is no longer important!

Originally posted by Ryan Thompson Ryan Thompson wrote:

I would never DIY that large of a tank and risk my house with that much water damage but that is just me.


I can see the potential risk certainly, I didn't think it to be as bad as you make it sound, but just reinforcing my choice of not going custom.

Originally posted by Ryan Thompson Ryan Thompson wrote:

I read an article a few years back that said it costs about $50/gallon to buy and stock a tank. I always thought that was extremely high but then I did some calculations and it was right on if not a little low even. Buying used can certainly help keep prices down but I would still plan on at least $50/gallon for a tank.

Heck, on a 180g tank the light would cost me around $1000 alone!


I'm thinking with enough patience in shopping for deals, save money where you can on DIY items, and seeding my own live rock and using local rock and sand from Lake Boneville I bet I can beat the pants off that $50 per gallon quote, but I can see that being a realistic number, certainly. You make a fine point on lighting though. I haven't even attempted to tackle the idea of lighting and that's something you don't want to try and save a few bucks on at the cost of quality.
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Enthalpy View Drop Down
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I just barely had a tank built (36x30x20) rimless, 1/2in glass, starfire was approximately $500 in just the glass.
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