16 replies to this topic

[geemaril]

i was wondering about the price of a 4x18x18 with black metal stand and lights.
i have already found a place where i can get 300w heaters for 18 bux and i can salvage gear from my other tanks to set it up.
any help would be much appreciated
cheers
Elliot

[Danny]

why dont you go into vebas and ask buddie dont waste our time

Dan.

[mrseby]

matey go and buy the Quokka

thats always a good place to start

Edited by: mrseby at: 1/22/04 6:54 pm

[Mazimbwe]

Quote:

---

why dont you go into vebas and ask buddie dont waste our time

---

...or ya could ask here on the forum. Seeing as that is what it is here for.
Bugga Vebas anyway, it is not the cheapest tank that you want, IMO, it is the best value for money that you are after. The quality of the tanks "Finish" are just as important as the price.
I would suggest that you ring some of the Sponsor-Members(Including Vebas) and get a price...then I would ask a few "Pride in workmanship" questions and see what sort of customer service you are given. That should make some interesting reading if you post what the result of that was. Then I would post in the Classies section coz there are a few board members/users who make tanks...that might mean you have to do the same with a few Boiler-makers to get the best deal on your stand.

HTH

[Barca888]

I would go for the quokka

When i was looking for a 5fter the darn thing had too many 4fters. And yes Dan I think he has the right to ask as many questions on this forum as he likes. If you work at vebas, fair enough u wanna give them business . I dont think you will find a cheaper price then vebas unless you get mates rates somewhere else ;\

[Mazimbwe]

Have a horror story about a guy I know who's second-hand(from the quokka) 7x2x2 split along the rear-seem the first nite he had it up and running. Plus it was on his new Hard-wood floor and had a big pair of fronty's and a heap of other, badly chosen, fish in there.

[Danny]

My bad

[wysiwyg]

When you opt to buy a second hand tank, it is true that you are often able to acquire a bargain. But with that choice of purchase comes the real risk of buying a tank that is at the point of failing. Silicon only has a limited life span. As Maz said, I have also seen silicone give way on pre-loved aquaria. There is no come back with these type of sales. It is highly unlikely that the seals on a new tank will be compromised. At least most retailers will offer a guarantee on a new aquarium, provided that you have not caused the breakage through your own negligence.

Same can be said for second hand heaters and filters. In this case, however, a faulty electrical appliance could cost you your life.

BTW Vebas is not the cheapest source of new aquaria, and certainly does not provide not the neatest.


wys

[electric]

wysiwyg do you use black silicon?

[SiF n00b]

jsut read my silicone tube thingo, and it doesnt say how long it lasts. what is the average life of glass silicone used on aquariums ?
thanx
justin

Some love to live, others live to love.
Me? Well I just live to luv fish

[Danny]

well vebas is actually suprisingly cheap well alot cheaper than morley or atlantis.

[wysiwyg]

Scott, black or clear, your choice. Black is dearer because it needs to be trimmed away to be neat.

Danny, I didn't say that Vebas weren't cheap

Most silicone is good for about 10 years. Interestingly though, many manufacturers will not guarantee it for this long.

wys

[mrseby]

hay wysi

Who is the cheapest ...let us all know cause im sure many that see the post will be interested in good value buys!!!

[Barca888]

wys if you offered me a quote close to that of vebas i would have purchased my new tank from you ;\

[wysiwyg]

No-one said I was the cheapest, but you do get what you pay for, and this is especially true with aquariums. People (and there are many hundreds) whom have purchased tanks from me over the years (20 years) have all commented on the excellent quality and finish, as well as the very competitive price. Those who have made multiple purchases have also attracted a further discount.

If you want a 6' x 2' x 2' built in 6mm, get someone else to do it by all means. In fact I would point blank refuse. Better it be on their conscience than mine. From a safety factor, 10mm all round at least is essential (preferably with a 12mm base).

Barca what was the quote I gave you? what mm? what mm base? lids included? clear silicone? black silicone cut out? cleaned up? delivery? I would be very surprised if the prices differed by that much. Did you ask about the mm used at Vebas (base also) and whether it included lids or delivery? From memory you were chasing the price of a 6'? with powder coated stand and filter box. I only build tanks.

You are most welcome to compare quality before purchasing!

I am happy to stand corrected if I am wrong.

wys

Edited by: wysiwyg at: 1/23/04 11:05 pm

[Barca888]

I first asked for a quote on fixing a tank. This tank had a cracked bottom and was 4 ft by 2.5 ft deep made from 6mm. When i first saw it i was shocked at the thickness of the glass and knew this was probably the cause of the crack. You further assured me at the risk involved of such a venture and gave me a few quotes on a 5 x 2 x 2.

I was rather bemused at the pricing as i have only ever had one large custom tank made for me by a vendor in joondalup (closed down) 6 x 18 x 2 for 450 dollars black silicone included. You offered to make my 5fter for either 430/450 (cant remember) dollars and to add a further 50 or so each to have it either cut out or to have black silicone. I also wanted a powder coated steel stand and i dont recall any quotes on this.

I have vebas making my 5 x 2 x 2 with lids and styro included and the powder coated stand for 600 dollars. If i do not recieve a quality product ill be sure to mention it in a few places (or maybe not if i value my place in this forum) ;\

I am still unsure about the term "cut-out". Does this mean you add that angle to the vertices of the glass? I also sent u an email ages ago. I was asking if u could give me a slightly more competitive price, i recieved no answer ;\. How large can you build tanks? Im talking 8ft 9ft 10 ft.

Thanks Peter

[wysiwyg]

Ok to be fair to all, here is a list of prices, randomly chosen, for tank price comparison on a 5' x 2' x 2', black silicone, 10mm all round (base included) and 4mm lids.

Vebas $430.00
Morley $540.00
Seaview $531.00
Exotic $550.00 (clear only, more for black)
Totally Tanked $560.00
Fish Place $688.00
Atlantis $412.50

Obviously some of these shops attract a 10% PCS membership discount. Delivery was NOT included.

My quote to you was $435.00 + $50.00 (to cut out silicone and clean/polish it up). This included delivery (2 person job) and a 12mm base, which I recommended if you were clumsy with your rockwork like I am. My quote is very competitive.

As has been alluded to in a few of the above threads, there are tank makers, and there are aquarium builders.

The difference between silicone being "cut out" or left as set, is evident in the photo link below.

groups.msn.com/MerjosAquaria/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=83

The centre partition has been trimmed and the two outside ones have not.

Your choice.

Peter I did not quote you on a stand because I only make aquariums. The fact that I did not reply to your email was probably due to the fact that I had a new hard drive installed and failed to receive it. Hence the new email address that I posted at the time. My apologies for you thinking that I couldn't be bothered replying.

wys