Big tank buying questions

[dent20]

I've been looking for a while to buy a larger tank (125 to 180) and have found few options where I live. I've been holding out hope to buy a used one, but I'm running out of patience. While we have a lot of fish stores where I live only two sell big tanks and they're more in the 125 range. This had me thinking about shopping for one online. I wondered if anyone else has done this and what kind of success or problems they've had with it. I'm guessing shipping could be quite expensive.

Also, if I want about six larger cichlids would a 125 even be big enough. I have a poleni and JD right now (and a Texas if I keep it). I'd like to add a Green Terror and Salvini (although we don't have any Salvinis where I live either).

[wataugachicken]

any of these in your area?

http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/ia

otherwise have you asked if the stores can special-order you a larger tank? they can probably get them same as they get the smaller ones, they just don't want to have a huge tank sitting in the store taking up space for who knows how long.

[Mgamer20o0]

you can buy direct from all glass aquarium i think. they also list where they will be at where oyu can pick it up and save on shipping.

[Rbishop]

Check glass cages delivery schedule, they come thru there several times a year...

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=Deliv

[tonytheboss1]

:) Give these folks a ring & see if they can help...
Aquatic Enviornments
730 E. Kimberly Rd.
Davenport, IA 52806
563-445-3687

[dent20]

Thanks for the feedback. Aquatic Environments doesn't carry big tanks. The largest I've seen there is around 55. They do have a great saltwater collection and I've bought some of my cichlids there. I can certainly ask them if they can help with ordering, but if I'm going that route wouldn't it be easier to eliminate the middle man and get the tank delivered directly to my home, eliminating some of the work for me?

I looked at Glass Cages and see I can get a 180 from them with a stand for less than what one of the local stores is asking for a 150. I have to call them to check on shipping costs.

[wataugachicken]

$80-100 surcharge for glasscages.

RB loves glasscages, but i am no longer a fan and will not buy from them again. (i have 2 tanks from them - 50g custom and 150g). do your research before you buy is all i will say.

[tonytheboss1]

Thanks for the feedback. Aquatic Environments doesn't carry big tanks. The largest I've seen there is around 55. They do have a great saltwater collection and I've bought some of my cichlids there. I can certainly ask them if they can help with ordering, but if I'm going that route wouldn't it be easier to eliminate the middle man and get the tank delivered directly to my home, eliminating some of the work for me?

I looked at Glass Cages and see I can get a 180 from them with a stand for less than what one of the local stores is asking for a 150. I have to call them to check on shipping costs.

:confused: I chose them because they were listed as local retailer for Oceanic Aquariums, a quality large glass tank mfgr. I figured get w/ the mgr., have the tank ordered w/ their regular shpmnt. He gets the commission on the big sale & you save the shipping charges. Win/win!! Let's see, a couple hundred bucks for shipping orrrr fifty bucks for gas, beer & pizza, 2/3 friends & a pickup. :idea:
http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/ultimate.php

You could also do what I did but it's gonna cost ya.....
http://www.tenecor.com/bg_cat_2.html "T"

GlassCages does a good job so I'm told but I believe Oceanic to be a better product w/ a better warranty. Does it cost more, of course but quality usually does. JMPO, "T"

[dent20]

Maybe they do bigger tanks that they just don't keep on display. It is a small store. I'll have to check with them because that is a very good idea and I can probably find someone to help me get to the house.

[Rbishop]

$80-100 surcharge for glasscages.

RB loves glasscages, but i am no longer a fan and will not buy from them again. (i have 2 tanks from them - 50g custom and 150g). do your research before you buy is all i will say.

I will admit I have a preference for them. It only costs $40 bucks for shipping when I pick up a tank and they are at a show in Raliegh, $60 bucks if they are just passing thru the area.

They can be a bit curt over the phone, and seem a bit uninterested. I have only had minor issues about not the best clean up on dried silicone on two of ten tanks.

I have never had a need to handle an issue with them, so I am not sure how they are on after sale issues. Seems you either love them or hate them from the forums I read.

[jm1212]

i wouldnt add a GT AND a salvini to that mix in only a 125, depending on the foot print.

[wolf13]

:) Give these folks a ring & see if they can help...
Aquatic Enviornments
730 E. Kimberly Rd.
Davenport, IA 52806
563-445-3687

they will special order for you, I had a special order acrylic through them, no big deal from em, so they might be willing to do a bigger one. Pet Depot in moline or Roes in Rock Island might also be wiling to special order, pet depot especially. Petsmart may also be able to special order, the one in rockford for instance has two larger tanks on display, a 180 and a 150 I am thinking. if you are willing to travel, petland in rockford usually has some larger tanks as well on display and can order.

[dent20]

I'd be looking at a six-foot long 125. I had a store tell me today you can fit about a dozen large cichlids in a tank that size, which seemed a bit much to me. Maybe if they're more docile.

I have already priced 125s at Pet Depot and Roe. Roe actually has a beautiful 150 long right now with a wooden stand and canopy, but it's a bit out of my price range. I have to make a decision soon. The polleni and dempsey really need a bigger home and I've been wanting to do it for quite a while.

[Mgamer20o0]

lol stores tell people a lot of things lol

[Deb2]

I can't help with the tank question, but I must comment on your choice of salvinis. They are absolutely beautiful, but they are very aggressive. Green terrors are pretty mild as far as large SAs go. Teh mix would be asking for trouble. Salvinis are best kept with other highly aggressive CAs.

[dent20]

I still will have the 55 that my other fish are in right now, so hopefully that will allow me to separate out any problem fish if I even get a Salvini. I have never even seen one in person, just pictures. Convicts, Firemouths and the like just don't do much to interest me.

I finally did go to Aquatic Environments again (first time in a month) and they have a 125. That's the first time I've ever seen a tank that size there. I've now gone to four local stores and I'm looking at around $1,100 for a full set up on a 125 regardless of the store I choose.

[wolf13]

when you were there, did you see if they will be open sunday? I will be back in town and was thinking of stopping in, i haven't been there in a while. A shame you can't get the 150, that would be a nice tank.

[dent20]

I think just about every QC store is open on Sunday except Roe. Aquatic Environments is only open in the afternoon on Sunday.

[Slappy*McFish]

You could try building your own.

[dent20]

I ended up ordering a 125 today from Aquatic Environments. The only one they had in stock was reef ready and cost more. I debated for a while about getting something bigger, but decided I didn't want to spend too much. Maybe some day I'll go for a bigger tank. I get to pick it up Wednesday.

[tonytheboss1]

:clap: There ya go. Good deal!! Have you figured out filtration yet?

[Deb2]

I still will have the 55 that my other fish are in right now, so hopefully that will allow me to separate out any problem fish if I even get a Salvini. I have never even seen one in person, just pictures. Convicts, Firemouths and the like just don't do much to interest me.

I finally did go to Aquatic Environments again (first time in a month) and they have a 125. That's the first time I've ever seen a tank that size there. I've now gone to four local stores and I'm looking at around $1,100 for a full set up on a 125 regardless of the store I choose.

Salvinis will not work with a green terror. You will have a dead GT. If you really want a salvini, and I can see why as they are beautiful, get a pair and put them in your 55 from the beginning. Most likely you won't have warning when the salvini is going to kill the GT. I had a pair of salvinis in a 44, and the male killed his mate after they spawned, so even a pair in a 55 is iffy.

[dent20]

Why the Terror and not the other fish? Do Salvinis hold a personal grudge against GTs?

[Deb2]

No it would be all the others too, I just focused on the GT because that would be a new fish also.