aquarist48

Good morning. I requested a quote for a 200g (94x24x20tall) acrylic aquarium w/stand. I was given a price of 4,199.00.
Anyway, I was told that acrylic tanks of this size has to have a built in overflow system. However when I check this site: http://www.myfishtank.com/ProductDet...x?productID=30 it states that "Skillfully crafted within each top panel are holes for heaters, slots for power filters, large openings for access and square corners". So couldn't I use my 2 HOB overflow, wet/drys with this?

The quote I was given: 1500.00 for the tank and 2300.00 for the stand(too they added filtration blah blah blah). Sorry I can't justify paying that much for a stand. I'll set it on the floor first. LOL I emailed the LFS with this info on the website I found and asked them to match that price (about 1700.00 total). We'll see what happens. Thanks, had to vent a bit. All responses are appreciated.

Amanda

Yeah, buying new tanks are EXPENSIVE. Especially the large ones.

MizRamzi

200g almost as big as my bedroom.....

CWO4GUNNER

If I ever go beyond my 120 and I probubly will to a 250 maybe 96x20x30tall, I will have to build it myself on sight whether special order acrylic or glass I will just order one face glass panel and maybe both sides, the rest made of wood with sheet stainless corner brackets and stainless nuts and bolts for easy disassembly. Just cant afford that much on an aquarium $800 tops.

Red1313

I love looking at new tanks... but I buy most of mine used (I LOVE grange sales...)

Amanda

Same here, except I mostly use Craigslist & freecycle.

aquarist48

I've got my eyes open for used ones too. Only problem is I live in the boonies and it would really take a stroke of luck to find one. You never know......

CWO4GUNNER

You cant find tanks that size (200-500) on craiglist or free cycle except on very rear occasions like once a year. Besides tanks like that would still cost allot and moving it would cost also.

Ooops! Guess I was wrong about that. Just emailed this guy and if I buy this incredible bargain I will get into SW.
http://mohave.craigslist.org/fuo/1113671998.html

meg1220

I have seen larger tanks (200+ gal) on craigslist, but people usually seem to want to sell them with the fish. Not really ideal.
Over $2000 does seem crazy for a stand. But at least with a new tank, you wouldn't have to worry about resealing and would have a guarantee (I would think).

CWO4GUNNER

I have never seen one this size in acrylic with an all wood stand for $200, Never! Of course I have to take a good look at it but from the pics it looks manufactured for sure and the sand look nice. Hopefully the tank is just hazy from dust and not steel wool cleaning LOL.

According to the common tank size table this is 72 1/2L x 24 1/2W x 25 5/8H and in acrylic weighs 110 empty as opposed to glass at 338 empty. That is over 100 lighter then my 120

Red1313

There are a few really big tank and stand deals on my local kijiji lately but 200 would still be out of my price range for them.

CWO4GUNNER

I probubly wouldn't bite either but being made of acrylic at that price its worth the 30 minute drive to take a look. Its still available and so I ll be seeing it soon and you can bet Ill be looking closely.

Incidentally Aquarist 48, I understand your situation as here in Bullhead with only 50K population we don't see allot offered either. Hope you get what you are looking for. If I do get this tank it will be a saltwater set up, a fist for me since I hatched brine shrimp out of a cut milk carton 35 years ago to feed my Oscars, my only experience with salt water lol.

aquarist48

I hope it turns out to be a great find for you Gunner. Will you read my original post here and see if you can answer the question for me about the HOB's on Acrylic tanks.

CWO4GUNNER

One of the praises of acrylic tanks is that unlike glass you don't need special tools to install plumbing or risk cracking it nearly as easily as glass, some wanting to access the bottom side to install drainage and filling pipes directly. So yes anything is possible and since the slots for the HOBs are already pre-cut looks like your question is answered. If you look closely at your add photo you will see the pre-cut slots for the lip of the HOB to hang on and holes for the heaters. Any modifications you can do vary carefully using a small hand jig or electric saw like a drummel. Personally on a tank that large I would primarily use a canister filter and I would build a custom HOB the width of the tank for multiple plant nitrate filters.

aquarist48

Thanks Gunner. I thought it looked like slots were there for the HOB's.

CWO4GUNNER

Of course I'm contradicting myself since I said I would use that tank for SW and if that was the case an HOB plant filter would never work in a million years lol. Id have to find a way to grow algae in an HOB, probubly top close with its own mini florescent tube and screens instead of filters inside.

By the way I got only one response from that craiglist add but no further reply as I think I asked too many questions at that price. Here is the edited for privacy email.

-------------------------------------------------------
From: GUNNER
To: > ^..^<
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 9:12:59 PM
Subject: Re: Fish tank Sill For sale

Hi is the tank still available?

Yes it is.
> ^..^<

Oh thank you for responding and hope you don't mind if I ask a couple questions as I am very interested.
Can you tell me if it leaks at all (not uncommon) and the age?
Do you remember the manufacturer or is it home built?
Do you have any of the accessories like the hood, lights and filter?
The stand which look good is it all wood?
The tank is a little hazy in the photo, is that just the photo or is calcium/salt staining?
Was the tank used for salt or fresh water?
If you still have it Id like to come by this Thursday and see it some time during the day, would that be OK?
Id love to come up sooner but Im tied up preparing taxes.
PS, I forgot to ask you for the outside dimensions of the tank not including the stand, just the height, width, and depth. I believe its 72 1/2L x 24 1/2W x 25 5/8H and weighs 110 pound is that correct?

No response! maybe I was a bit too inquiring?

GOOD NEWS! After an apologetic re-reply looks like I'm back on track for a viewing. Now I have to learn something about buying used acrylic.