Recommendations for acrylic tank companies

[CBonito]

Interesting what kind of grits you recommend like 1000?

You will almost always only need Novus Polish which does an excellent job.
And you will only need it on rare occasion.

 

[albano]

acrylic … but imo there's no way to physically touch the material without scratching it.

You’ve got to be kidding!

I love acrylic tanks …Just plan to polish it back to new every couple years.

Unlike glass tanks that can never be polished back to look like new!

 

[nickm]

Clear Fabrications is a top notch acrylic tank builder in Seattle Washington.
They ship.

Don't get them to build a metal stand. I had a 2" sq tubing stand made and it has a center high point. Saying it was from the heat of welding. If so and they know about it, then they should know how to weld and compensate for the heat distortion. Told me basically I'm on my own. Wants me to use shims to make up the 1/8th inch gap. I don't think so especially on a 260 gal Reef Savvy aquarium. So now I'm getting with a chassis fabricator to fix his jack up.

 

[mfinn]

Don't get them to build a metal stand. I had a 2" sq tubing stand made and it has a center high point. Saying it was from the heat of welding. If so and they know about it, then they should know how to weld and compensate for the heat distortion. Told me basically I'm on my own. Wants me to use shims to make up the 1/8th inch gap. I don't think so especially on a 260 gal Reef Savvy aquarium. So now I'm getting with a chassis fabricator to fix his jack up.

Sorry to hear this.
I've know Jason for 25+ years and find it hard to believe he would say this. I am not doubting you.
Just not being part of the whole conversation.
I do know his acrylic work is first rate.
Sorry to hear you are having this issue.

 

[radav88]

I’m very happy with my Tsunami 360 gallon.

Mind if I ask how long you've had your Tsunami? I'm considering a 250 gallon from them and just been curious how people feel about them longer term.

 

[JC1977]

Mind if I ask how long you've had your Tsunami? I'm considering a 250 gallon from them and just been curious how people feel about them longer term.

I’m very happy with mine. It’s been running for about six months. I liked that I could talk to the builder Scott directly if need be and he along with all their staff were very helpful. Customer service is a dying thing these days so it was very reassuring considering the $$ I was forking out. On top of all that they had the best price I could find glass or acrylic for that size tank. I would absolutely recommend them!

 

[JayM]

Unlike glass tanks that can never be polished back to look like new!

I’ve polished scratches to like new in glass more than once. It’s much more time consuming than acrylic, but it most certainly can be done.

 

[albano]

I’ve polished scratches to like new in glass more than once. It’s much more time consuming than acrylic, but it most certainly can be done.

Must have been light scratches… deeper scratches and damage done by coralline algae, IME, can’t be fixed

 

[radav88]

I’m very happy with mine. It’s been running for about six months. I liked that I could talk to the builder Scott directly if need be and he along with all their staff were very helpful. Customer service is a dying thing these days so it was very reassuring considering the $$ I was forking out. On top of all that they had the best price I could find glass or acrylic for that size tank. I would absolutely recommend them!

Awesome, thank you for the response.

 

[jackson6745]

Going to be getting quotes for an acrylic growout tank to plumb into my system. Thanks for the suggestions. It's not exactly a display so I'm not too concerned with scratches. My main concern was carrying the dang thing into my basement. My 200g glass tank with 3/4" glass was a nightmare getting down the stairs. I'm planning on something like 72" or 84" x 36" x 16". Hopefully they're somewhat affordable. The glass quotes that I'm getting are kind of crazy high I think.

 

[italquam]

Midwest Custom Aquariums was awesome to work with. Made my 360 gallon last year. I find acrylic does scratch but it’s very hard to see most scratches. It’s definetly overstated on here mostly by people who have never owned acrylic

Do you have a build thread

 

[Tamberav]

Another vote for Midwest Custom Aquariums, had great communication too. I hope to buy another tank from them in the next year or two.

 

[Devaji]

Hey OP did you end up getting a large acrylic tank?
details plz.
I am idea shopping ;)

 

[Saltcritter75]

I just had American Aquariums in Pennsylvania build me a 170. Not got it filled yet but happy with how it looks. Had them build a custom sump also.