Who build the best aquariums and stands

[IceNein]

This has been an interesting read. Ultimately I think for my next aquarium I will go with IM, seeing as they are local to me. All other things being equal, support your local businesses.

 

[NCsalt]

You'd have to build a time machine, but I'd go back 20 years and buy an Oceanic Aquarium. I have a 300g now that is 30+ years old.

Funny you say that a somewhat local gentleman has a brand new 180 oceanic tank still in the original crate for 2k.

I’m not in the market for a tank that size nor a tank with 30 inch depth but seems like a deal.

 

[ReefEco]

Whatever you do, don't use CustomAquariums.com - I ordered five tanks from them (~$13K) the 400g DT arrived damaged and they took no responsibility. They even tried to force me to tank the stand, which had come loose in transit and bounced around for 1000 miles. If that wasn't enough - there were grind marks on the panel edges of the show side of the 400g penninsula as well, which they lied about and said was "normal". LOL. They refused to remake the 400g and stand - had to threaten to sue them to get my money back. The most disgusting reef related company I've ever dealt with. Then went with AGE for the same 5 tanks and have been really happy.

 

[FernBluffReef]

I have two newer RedSeas. The tanks and Stands seem great to me. The downflow valve needs work but that wasn’t the question.

I don’t really have experience with other tanks, hence can’t really vote on the others as to best. I expect many, probably most but not all, here are voting based on social media reputation vs real world experience

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Innovative Marine...
Very well made...thick clear glass.
All in One's and Sump models as well.
Now with aluminum stands...strong and never a water issue.
My 4th INM tank to date.

Oh thank goodness! I just moved and had to replace my beautiful custom 400 gal tank with a IM 200 gal peninsula and I think it is really nice and well made. I was looking for more opinions before I get crazy rebuilding my reef. The move did not go well

 

[Jackal799]

Look at the UNS systems. 5 year warranty with registration, local stateside support, long track record in the freshwater side, 45 degree edges so you don’t have to worry about trashing the silicone when cleaning, solid aluminum stands, I could go on and on. I compared one in person to Red Sea, Nyos, and a few other brands. The UNS smoked the competition and they are really responsive here. Definitely worth looking at.

 

[Reefhack]

Glass cages built my euro braced 225 with lids. Love it!! DIY Custom unistrut stand anchored to the garage floor.

 

[ejsanchez92399]

the new UNS Reef systems are amazing, IM is alwasy solid so is Waterbox, and eShopps new Mariners are pretty nice now too!

 

[Engine5412]

I have a tank from customaquariums.com and am happy with it. Glass Cages has lots of good reviews. If budget is not a concern perhaps A.G.E. or Reef Savvy

My sons company built these,we are a high end cabinet manufacturing Co. Soon I'm coming out with a line of stands I've designed unlike others marketed, trust me the aquatic community will love them and the price point I will selling them sometime late 2025

 

[mosreef]

I have 3 Innovative Marine tanks and I'm amazed at how well built they are. The SR 120 Gallon AIO Shallow Reef has very thick (15mm) low iron glass, beautifully beveled and finished. It took 5 guys to move - When I moved from WA state to FL I built a 7' padded plywood box (looked like a casket lol) and brought it with me. I had absolutely no worries that it would hold up. It is a tank.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

My Waterbox tanks are immaculate. Exceptional quality and beautiful.

The stand, not so much. It’s a joke, really. I’d write them about it, but they already know. They don’t care.

This is exactly correct. I love my Waterbox but not the stand. I do like the CADE stands but I found the Waterbox to be better than the CADE aquariums.

 

[ElementReefer]

This is exactly correct. I love my Waterbox but not the stand. I do like the CADE stands but I found the Waterbox to be better than the CADE aquariums.

It’s crazy because the problem is entirely in the 20/20 (2 cm thick) aluminum they use. If they used the next size up with beefier 90 degree brackets there wouldn’t be an issue, it’s not very expensive.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I guess I’m an outlier regarding my experience with Glass Cages. I'll second what others have said about Joe's level of support, but if I was going to get another tank I would look elsewhere. Customer support wouldn't solve the issues I've had with my 60x28x28 eurobraced tank, short of replacing it, which isn't an option.

A minor issue I had was a lot of pieces of the interior black silicon coming off and floating around the tank. That didn't last long and wasn't a big deal, but it didn't scream quality. The two bigger issues I've had was with the overflow and the eurobracing. The slots in my overflow weir are way too large, and I lost a lot of fish through there, until I realized where they went, which took months. Too late for those fish, but my maintenance guy was able to fabricate a cover for my overflow that has interleaved slots that are now narrow enough that fish stopped disappearing.

The issues with the eurobracing are that the layers are not sealed properly, and over time salt and moisture has gotten in there, which cuts way back on the amount of light that can pass through. These are the two eurobracing strips that split the top of the tank into thirds, and support the glass covers. And the bracing around the sides have gaps in it, which means that any water that gets in there will drip down the sides of the tank. This will continue until the water dries up, which means that every time I work inside the tank I have streams of dried salt down the sides that I clean up the next day.

The tank holds water and doesn't leak, which is the important thing. But there has to be someone else out there that does a more quality build.

Hi @Dave-T

I am sorry to hear about your experience. I really would like to hear more details and talk about the opportunity to support you.

Please let me know if you are open to a call. Really would like the opportunity to right this for you.

Thank you in advance. Joe
615-446-8877

 

[ajmckay]

Well Meta AI knows the answer... Whoever made this tank apparently.

Standard aqueon tanks have served me quite well for a long time. That being said I've "graduated" to Innovative marine which has been nice though their rear AIO chambers need some rethinking. UNS are my new absolute favs for picos.

 

[AquaPlumber]

check out this guy and his videos, flawless!

tankme usa. – We Specialize Only in Custom Glass Aquariums Systems, with the Most Detailed Craftsmanship and Refined Quality…

tankmeusa.com

web site says he is temporarily out of business.

 

[nikesb]

for those that bought alufab stands, how was the shipping? Do they package it well or is it all exposed and wrapped?

 

[PharmrJohn]

On the other hand my IM EXT 100 stand is wobbly and the whole tank shakes when I clean the glass.

And this is something I can't abide (to contradict the comment with my Avatar). My stand I got used 17 years back was a tad wobbly. When the 75g Tank went bad, I traded up to a 90g and did some serious bracing on the stand itself (one more day the livestock had to put up with a garbage can!). And that worked. With my upcoming build, I'll put a serious dent in my checking account to avoid all that hub-bub!!!!

 

[italquam]

I used midwest custom aquariums, I have no worry that this tank will be around in 20 or 30 years. It's acrylic so it's not going to leak from a seam, no silicone to get old or damaged, and the stand isn't a mass produced wobble/sag stand...

Anything mass produced/cookie cutter is going to be a downgrade from custom and price seems to be similar if you have a place local to you and can skip the shipping and pay in cash to skip any CC fee's

Do you have a build thread or some photos of the Midwest aquarium

 

[italquam]

If you’re looking for a really nice acrylic aquarium then I would recommend Tsunami. Really great quality and design. It didn’t take too long either. They custom made my 260 gallon behemoth.

Tsunami looks nice but only 2 year warranty, where Midwest Custom offers lifetime on their acrylic tanks

 

[Tamberav]

Do you have a build thread or some photos of the Midwest aquarium

They built it exactly how I asked it to be done. I will probably buy another from them when I move into a bigger place.