Is this a crazy price for a custom-built turtle tank?

[Ultranothing]

Here's a brief synopsis of what I'd get with this custom build:

• 120-gallon rectangular glass aquarium
  • Dimensions: 48 x 24.5 x 25 inches
  • Custom-built with museum-grade construction
• White Heritage Millwork Package
  • Includes cabinetry/stand designed to match aesthetic standards
• Custom 3D faux rock background
  • Designed for visual appeal and naturalistic environment
• Custom turtle haul-out/basking platform
  • Allows aquatic turtles to rest and bask
• Engineered filtration system with:
  • Mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration
  • Ultraviolet (UV) sterilization
  • Integrated heating system
• Automatic basking light system
  • Timed and heat-controlled lighting for turtle health
• Professional-grade plumbing
  • Uses Schedule 80 and Schedule 40 PVC
• Shipping of all materials included

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Installation & Setup Services (Included in Exhibit Cost)​

• Turnkey installation of tank, filtration, plumbing, lighting, and environmental systems
• Project management across all necessary trades, including:
  • Architects
  • Interior designers
  • Plumbers
  • HVAC
  • Electrical contractors
  • Structural support specialists
• Non-union labor used (classified as specialty services)

That's a breakdown by ChatGPT of the project documents I got from the builder.

Cost, with tax and delivery? $15.975.45.

Does that sound right to anyone?

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't know, I've never priced out a custom build like that, but I think it might help if you could give more of a breakdown of the total cost, like how much for the tank itself, the wood work, etc.

 

[rtparty]

Tank is going be a few thousand. Stand is another couple thousand. Shipping will be more than $1000.

I have no idea about custom backgrounds and turtle lighting. I can’t imagine lights would be expensive at all though.

My gut feeling is it’s nearly twice what it should be

 

[Fish Fan]

Tank is going be a few thousand. Stand is another couple thousand. Shipping will be more than $1000.

I have no idea about custom backgrounds and turtle lighting. I can’t imagine lights would be expensive at all though.

My gut feeling is it’s nearly twice what it should be

That was my feeling too ;)

 

[VintageReefer]

Sounds ridiculously high

 

[BeanAnimal]

Sounds reasonable to me for a turnkey installation. Time and materials. It without scope detail, that is a guess.

 

[jft]

THATS INSANE WAY OVERPRICED IMO!

 

[Vested]

Not sure why you arn’t saying the builder, sounds like planet. Did you get this quote straight from them or lfs? Whoever it is needs to call them you should have got multiple quotes with different quality glass etc.

Ive seen insane quotes like this and its because of the glass, the highest tier option is insane just do regular low iron.

If its not that then whoever is installing it is adding a lot of cost, whether thats worth it to you or not.

 

[LPS Bum]

That price is insanely high for a 120 gal turtle tank. My son has a 90 gal turtle tank in his room that I built out myself. Admittedly his is very DIY and low tech, but there’s no way you should be paying anywhere near $16K for this. That’s a huge rip off.

Turtles need a tank and stand, good filtration (a good canister filter is perfect, but a couple of HOB power filters work too), a dock to bask, a heater and a UV lamp, and maybe some larger gravel and plastic plants for decor. That’s it. Everything else is superfluous. Certainly to the tune of $16K.

 

[BeanAnimal]

THATS INSANE WAY OVERPRICED IMO!

A RedSea kit can easily cost $6k. Add custom millwork, custom interior rock, and maybe another $3k. Shipping easily $1K and turnkey implies engineering to the specific space, electrical, plumbing etc, (from summary) so another $2k… and installation, implies on-site. So another $2-3k.

We live in an expensive world. Some of you would shudder at what vendors pay for even small trade show both exhibit setups.

 

[BeanAnimal]

That price is insanely high for a 120 gal turtle tank. My son has a 90 gal turtle tank in his room that I built out myself. Admittedly his is very DIY and low tech, but there’s no way you should be paying anywhere near $16K for this. That’s a huge rip off.

Turtles need a tank and stand, good filtration, a dock to bask, a heater and a UV lamp. That’s it.Everything else is unnecessary. Certainly to the tune of $16K.

Sounds like OP is looking for a bit more than a tank on cinder blocks with a clip on heat lamp. While the price may or may not be high, you have to judge by the OPs desired goal, not your perspective of what a turtle needs.

 

[LPS Bum]

Sounds like OP is looking for a bit more than a tank on cinder blocks with a clip on heat lamp. While the price may or may not be high, you have to judge by the OPs desired goal, not your perspective of what a turtle needs.

That’s cute, but my son’s tank isn’t on cinder blocks. It’s on an oak stand. And I doubt you have anymore insight into what this individual wants than the rest of us do. Unless you know him personally.

If you had turtles you’d know they don’t need (or appreciate) custom rock work. All that does is take up valuable swimming space. Turtles don’t swim in and out of the rocks. They don’t feed off them and you don’t glue a turtle to the rock like you would a coral. This isn’t a reef or a FOWLR.

I bought a brand new Gen 2 Reefer 625 Deluxe for less than $5,500. It seems crazy to spend 3X for a smaller freshwater turtle habitat. But to each their own.

 

[Noridin]

I recently had a 96x30x36 tank with a metal stand built and it was 15k for just the tank, stand and sump. Its built out of low iron glass. Not really apples to apples but at least its a price point.

 

[jabberwock]

Nope

 

[Idech]

That’s way too much ! I paid less than half (CAD) for a 120 gallons with sump and equipment, including installation. Custom made too.

 

[VintageReefer]

I recently had a 96x30x36 tank with a metal stand built and it was 15k for just the tank, stand and sump. Its built out of low iron glass. Not really apples to apples but at least its a price point.

Op tank is 48x24x25…

 

[VintageReefer]

I built a similar system on glass cages for 6k with metal stand that’s skinned with panels

 

[Fish Fan]

I built a similar system on glass cages for 6k with metal stand that’s skinned with panels

I think the OP should ask Joe from Glass Cages what he can do here.

Having had a quote from Glass Cages 6 or 8 months ago, I don't think $5000 is completely out of line for the tank. Though top-end for sure!

As someone who is a hobby-level woodworker, I could see the stand, canopy, and any trim work another $5000 IF it's really nice craftmanship (that "IF" is in caps intentionally, and carrying a lot of weight here, but that's not an unheard of price for that work)

But another $5000+ for setup and install and the extra lighting, filtration etc., I don't know if that adds up, and I am skeptical, especially given this is a turtle tank, not a reef tank. And absolutely no disrespect to turtle keepers meant at all :)

I would suggest that *most* who set up a 120 gallon tank do not need the services of structural engineers, plumbers, architects and the like. Most of our homes can support a 120 without modification, but certainly I don't know the OP's install situation. If those additional expert services are built into the cost of this system, I think many of us would do without those professional services.

I used to be big into reptiles, I've never kept aquatic turtles, but I know they need UV light to be healthy. But no one is hanging a $1000 light set over their 120 gallon turtle tank, like many do for a reef tank.

I'm also just going to say, I don't think you *need* museum quality, Starfire glass for turtles, and I'm not putting them or their keepers down. They are just not micro critters with eye popping colors, they're turtles. Many keepers like to interact with their turtles as they come up to the surface for food, and dare I say *affection*. Turtles are indeed cool, they are my wife's favorite critter :) However, if the OP wants Starfire glass and has the budget, more power to them.

The value of this project ultimately comes down to what the OP wants, can the custom builder supply that, and is it worth it to the OP. If you have this kind of budget and it's a good fit for your space, then go for it. Clearly, there are less expensive options, even considering that the OP may want "high-end" everything.

Thanks for your input, VR, always appreciated :)

 

[Fish Fan]

Sounds like OP is looking for a bit more than a tank on cinder blocks with a clip on heat lamp. While the price may or may not be high, you have to judge by the OPs desired goal, not your perspective of what a turtle needs.

Agreed.

@LPS Bum I'm not putting your turtle tank build down in any way :-) But some people really value high-level carpentry, and want the tank to be a part of their home. Some would spend thousands on a finely crafted stand and canopy, specially if it matches (both in value and esthetics) their home furnishings.

Can you build a turtle tank for less, certainly. Could you spend even more, absolutely. It's all in the eye of the beholder, as they say.

 

[liddojunior]

It sounds like a lot, but you are getting a lot of custom work, plumbing and electrical work. And it looks like it includes permit stuff

I would actually think it would come out to this price but for something a bit larger like a mini indoor pond.

Do you have photos of examples of the builds they have done? Sometimes really nice craftmanship can make the cost make sense. For that price I doubt its just basic looking tank with a turtle platform.