Future 180 Gallon Upgrade

[Rich42082]

Help me with this so I can do it right the first time.


I'm planning on 180 gallon but not sure if I should go with glass or Acrylic? I'm going to go with a new tank since I have no luck with CL and build my stand and canopy.

For my sump/Refugium I'm going with either a custom 55 build or if someone can suggest a good prebuilt brand.

This will be my first stand build so If someone can provide me with a good blueprint it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JonathanG]

I'm really happy with my trigger systems sump and they can custom make one to your specs.

 

[Rich42082]

Ok can I get some votes? Acrylic or Glass

 

[Fishdude3233]

Acrylic if you can afford it

 

[mr_X]

I like glass. I would scratch acrylic to death.

 

[ivan_dalmatia]

Safire glass! Last a long time with no scratches, acrylic wont last

 

[mr_X]

Starphire.

 

[ivan_dalmatia]

Starphire.

Ya my phone likes to correct me

 

[AquaShark]

I prefer glass over acrylic. I have always heard they scratch easier than glass. But I do have a 1 gallon acrylic aquarium that doesnt seem to have any scratches and its a couple years old. But if it were to be me I would go with low iron glass (i believe its low iron. Its the clearer glass)

 

[Rich42082]

Ok thanks. I guess I'll go with glass then. I heard the Acrylic is clearer and lighter so it's easier to move around.

 

[ivan_dalmatia]

Ok thanks. I guess I'll go with glass then. I heard the Acrylic is clearer and lighter so it's easier to move around.

It is a lot easier to move but more clear I don't think so

 

[Rich42082]

Are those trigger systems big enough for a 180+ size tank?

 

[JustinKBreen]

I have both and acrylic does scratch much easier. I have the low iron/starfire glass which I personally like better.

As for buying used, have the buyer fill it with water to leak test it.. if it leaks I would move on it another, don't bother trying to fix it.

 

[Rich42082]

I'm planning on buying it new. I was going with glasscages.com but I've decided to go with fishtanksdirect.com since they offer free shipping. I'm probably going to go with a 200 gallon instead because its cheaper for some reason.

The overflow is in the back center with 3 drains and 2 returns. They don't have the option for starphire online so I have to wait to call them on Monday. The anticipation is killing me.

 

[mr_X]

Have your returns come over the top and save the money on those holes. I would want 2 overflows instead of just one, unless it was a very long one. 3 drains are unnecessary. 2 one and a half inch drains is plenty. I have 4 on my 300 (2 per overflow), but I don't even use a quarter of that.

 

[Aquamandan]

Safire glass! Last a long time with no scratches, acrylic wont last

Why won't acrylic last?

 

[carey]

I was looking at the tank you have in mind, it is only 4 feet long though? Just my opinion, but if getting such a large tank why not go for one with the length? You can have more fish and larger ones since you have the 6 foot length for them to swim. Never saw much need to have a tall tank vs a long one. lol

Just a thought

 

[mr_X]

I just re-read this thread. Glass cages is tremendously cheaper than fish tanks direct, free shipping or not. Roughly 2 grand for a 200?I paid 1800 for my 300, with custom overflows and bulkheads, plus them shipping it to a central location about an hour away....

 

[Rich42082]

Carey, the tank I'm looking at is not 4 ft it's 6 ft.

 

[JonathanG]

The standard trigger systems sumps are 36 gallon which is probably not enough for a 200. You can have them custom make one to the size you need.

Also if your looking for something unique check out Aqua vim aquariums

I have a half cylinder from them and love it. They are a bit pricey but they do have a specials area which has some good deals. One of the reasons I went with them is their custom stands and canopies made of hardwood. I got an un-finished one as my wife wanted to customize it to match the room it is in.