Custom aquariums custom tank

[JumboShrimp]

I came extremely close to going with Custom Aquariums... went with Glass Cages and now I feel like I dodged a bullet. Joe was fantastic to work with— I need to update my Build Thread (double 150 gallon tanks), but plumbing has hit a lot of snags— mostly on the Fuji overflow box end.

 

[Brittanyjo]

+1 on CMMorgan - Heard good things about @Joe Glass Cages as well...

Im switching at the last minute. I have a quote from glasscages and I may go with them.

 

[jpas]

I had custom aquariums make me a 425g tank. It was a great experience, no issues at all. The crating was excellent and they clearly said do not accept the delivery if the crate was damaged.

The actual build quality is not top notch, all of the edges are smooth and polished with precise seams. I really like the aluminum frame and braces.

since buying my tank, I know three others locally that have all had good experiences with them.

 

[ReefEco]

I had custom aquariums make me a 425g tank. It was a great experience, no issues at all. The crating was excellent and they clearly said do not accept the delivery if the crate was damaged.

The actual build quality is not top notch, all of the edges are smooth and polished with precise seams. I really like the aluminum frame and braces.

since buying my tank, I know three others locally that have all had good experiences with them.

The complete opposite of my experience. And if I could have the experience I did, anyone could. Not worth the risk. Like I said, you don't really get to know a company or its people until things go wrong.

 

[jpas]

I guess it’s like anything else you read about on the internet, positive or negative. There is always two sides to a story. Best of luck with whatever tank you are going with.

 

[ReefEco]

I guess it’s like anything else you read about on the internet, positive or negative. There is always two sides to a story. Best of luck with whatever tank you are going with.

For sure - and I'm glad you had good luck with them. However, there comes a time when the fact that a company could behave in such a way, and produce such a substandard tank is more important than how they behave when everything is going well, in my opinion. No custom tank maker should ever do what they did, and no one should expect their behavior to even be in the realm of possibility. Your edges were nicely polished - and of course they were. They should be. Custom Aquariums specifically said their machine marks were "normal" LOL. People make mistakes and crap happens, but not taking responsibility and making what I imagine are dishonest excuses demonstrates deeper ethical issues at a company, and with its people, that only rise to the surface when called upon to make the choice between excuses, irresponsibility, and unethical behavior, over integrity, accountability, and honesty. The choice one makes at that intersection reveals everything.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I have a tank coming from American Aquariums in a few weeks. I will post pictures on arrival. Others have had good reviews of them and I have seen other tanks arrive well packed and look good.
There also seems to be very high praise and excellent communication from @Joe Glass Cages. I don't think I have ever read a sour word about them. Joe is on the forum and he is always available to help other reefers.

Thanks @CMMorgan

Here I am. Very true. We are here to support. Thanks for the mention!

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I came extremely close to going with Custom Aquariums... went with Glass Cages and now I feel like I dodged a bullet. Joe was fantastic to work with— I need to update my Build Thread (double 150 gallon tanks), but plumbing has hit a lot of snags— mostly on the Fuji overflow box end.

Thanks for the support. Yeah, we all need to see this build in process. Can I help with the overflows? Let me know. Thanks again.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Im switching at the last minute. I have a quote from glasscages and I may go with them.

Thanks so much for the consideration. we are here to support even if you select a different builder. Have fun with this part of the process.

 

[devosupremo]

Im switching at the last minute. I have a quote from glasscages and I may go with them.

Just spent some time in Dickson with the @glasscages crew today. Totally cool to see their process. I was impressed with their quality control process...everything gets triple checked before shipping out. When I'm ready to build my tank, they are going to be my goto.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Check out how my Build Thread is coming along... Glass Cages tanks and stands.... Custom Aquariums Seamless Sump System inside. :D

 

[ReefEco]

Check out how my Build Thread is coming along... Glass Cages tanks and stands.... Custom Aquariums Seamless Sump System inside. :D

Build looks killer, as do the tanks. Nice job! I'm not a fan of the Custom Aquariums seamless sumps, not just because my experience with that company was horrendous and I'd never give them a dime of business, but also because I can't see into them to see what is going on. Perhaps I'm just used to acrylic sumps in that way, but that is a big detractor for me at least. I'm sure you had your reasons for getting them of course : )

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Just spent some time in Dickson with the @glasscages crew today. Totally cool to see their process. I was impressed with their quality control process...everything gets triple checked before shipping out. When I'm ready to build my tank, they are going to be my goto.

thanks so much. its really radical for sure. So glad you were able to visit the studio. Everyone is welcome!

 

[FishTruck]

My 1000 gallon was from custom aquariums. The overflows are great and the tank build was excellent.

 

[ReefEco]

My 1000 gallon was from custom aquariums. The overflows are great and the tank build was excellent.

Glad you had good luck with them - the opposite of my experience. As I said... there comes a time when the fact that a company could behave in such a way, and produce such a substandard tank is more important than how they behave when everything is going well, in my opinion. No custom tank maker should ever do what they did, and no one should expect their behavior to even be in the realm of possibility. People make mistakes and crap happens, but not taking responsibility and making what I imagine are dishonest excuses demonstrates deeper ethical issues at a company, and with its people, that only rise to the surface when called upon to make the choice between excuses, irresponsibility, and unethical behavior, over integrity, accountability, and honesty. The choice one makes at that intersection reveals everything.

 

[Reef Dude]

Glad you had good luck with them - the opposite of my experience. As I said... there comes a time when the fact that a company could behave in such a way, and produce such a substandard tank is more important than how they behave when everything is going well, in my opinion. No custom tank maker should ever do what they did, and no one should expect their behavior to even be in the realm of possibility. People make mistakes and crap happens, but not taking responsibility and making what I imagine are dishonest excuses demonstrates deeper ethical issues at a company, and with its people, that only rise to the surface when called upon to make the choice between excuses, irresponsibility, and unethical behavior, over integrity, accountability, and honesty. The choice one makes at that intersection reveals everything.

Sorry to hear you had such a tough run with Custom Aquariums. Your experience differed somewhat from mine too. After my experience with them, I’m surprised to read how bad things went for you from a customer service standpoint. Sounds like a nightmare.

In my case, it did take them 3 tries to get my tank right, which is why I might hesitate to order from them again in the future. However, they were easy to work with, coordinated return shipments, and even gave me a price break for the inconvenience.

First tank shows up at my house, and there were some minor air gaps in the silicone seam between the structural seam and the interior “protective seam”. Cosmetic only, no structural impact. However, I found it unacceptable since I spent more for a custom tank and I wanted it to be absolutely perfect. They built and delivered me a new tank. The 2nd tank showed up, and it had similar issues. They worked with me again with returning the tank back to them, and they built me another (3rd) tank which showed up looking perfect.

Since I had spent a good bit of time and stress throughout this process unpacking, repacking, and shipping/receiving all these tanks, they actually gave me money back in my order for the inconvenience. So while the tank itself took a couple tries for them to get right, their customer service was a shining light.

 

[Crashjack]

I got my tank from Custom Aquariums almost 4 years ago (rimmed 72"x24"x19") and so far so good. I was interested in Glass Cages because it is only 3 hours from me. The problem was, almost every review I found was terrible. That said, my understanding is that there is new ownership (I'm assuming Joe) and that Glass Cages is now reputable. My tank maintenance guy, who also owns an LFS, has bought from them and really likes them.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I got my tank from Custom Aquariums almost 4 years ago (rimmed 72"x24"x19") and so far so good. I was interested in Glass Cages because it is only 3 hours from me. The problem was, almost every review I found was terrible. That said, my understanding is that there is new ownership (I'm assuming Joe) and that Glass Cages is now reputable. My tank maintenance guy, who also owns an LFS, has bought from them and really likes them.

@Crashjack, you are correct. Tons of changes at Glass Cages. We are here to serve! Thanks so much for noticing and the mention.

 

[ReefEco]

Sorry to hear you had such a tough run with Custom Aquariums. Your experience differed somewhat from mine too. After my experience with them, I’m surprised to read how bad things went for you from a customer service standpoint. Sounds like a nightmare.

In my case, it did take them 3 tries to get my tank right, which is why I might hesitate to order from them again in the future. However, they were easy to work with, coordinated return shipments, and even gave me a price break for the inconvenience.

First tank shows up at my house, and there were some minor air gaps in the silicone seam between the structural seam and the interior “protective seam”. Cosmetic only, no structural impact. However, I found it unacceptable since I spent more for a custom tank and I wanted it to be absolutely perfect. They built and delivered me a new tank. The 2nd tank showed up, and it had similar issues. They worked with me again with returning the tank back to them, and they built me another (3rd) tank which showed up looking perfect.

Since I had spent a good bit of time and stress throughout this process unpacking, repacking, and shipping/receiving all these tanks, they actually gave me money back in my order for the inconvenience. So while the tank itself took a couple tries for them to get right, their customer service was a shining light.

Yeah, that sounds light years from my experience, maybe on the flip side of Glass Cages changes, Custom Aquariums has had a change in management for the worse. Just curious - how large was your tank and where are you located? Their motivation seemed to be purely saving money on return shipping and/or making excuses for the quality control issues (machine marks pictured above). They even expected me to pay $1,000 extra for moving expenses, which they said was "technically not our problem." Despicable. I don't blame you for having high standards for a custom tank at all, it should be perfect. 3rd time is a charm I guess, but that in and of itself says something. I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone, so I'm glad you finally got what you paid for.

 

[FishTruck]

Yeah, that sounds light years from my experience, maybe on the flip side of Glass Cages changes, Custom Aquariums has had a change in management for the worse. Just curious - how large was your tank and where are you located? Their motivation seemed to be purely saving money on return shipping and/or making excuses for the quality control issues (machine marks pictured above). They even expected me to pay $1,000 extra for moving expenses, which they said was "technically not our problem." Despicable. I don't blame you for having high standards for a custom tank at all, it should be perfect. 3rd time is a charm I guess, but that in and of itself says something. I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone, so I'm glad you finally got what you paid for.

Huh??? I just checked my c.a. edges and they are perfectly smooth. My wood work actually covers them and all the edges - I just wanted it to hold water, so I didn't even care. But, now that I look, they are smooth.

My tank was extremely well crated too.

Since reefeco already talked this guy out of custom aquariums and a couple of other people too... the point is moot -but- maybe a person should be advised to ask for some high res video pictures of the seams and edges before delivery - if that's your bag.

Funny too, because, I went with custom aquariums because of some aggressive online attacks against glass-cages (made me think I should look elsewhere - LOL). I guess that's the way it is now.