Starting over again- some tank considerations

[Anonymous]

OK, after a brief hiatus, I am setting up a reef again. I have a good space for a 4 foot long tank. First I was considering a pre-engineered Oceanic 140 (48x24.5x28) which seems like a cool size but it runs around $820.

I currently have a pre-engineered oceanic 150 (60x24x24) but that is currently occupied as the worlds most overbuilt vivarium.

So anyway, I am trying to decide between oceanic and all glass. Oceanic is of course a great tank- but my problem with them is that the overflows are so huge! On a comparatively small tank like a 120 they look like they take up about 1/4 of the tank. I would probably set up a Stockman arrangement for the pipes.

Is this a dumb reason to go All-Glass? Oceanic is around $460, All-glass around $350- price not an issue between these two...

 

[Gatortailale1]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that oceanic is a division of all-glass corp. They are made at different manufacturing plants, as far as I know. It's like GM products (Chevy and Cadillac)

Maybe oceanic can custom make overflow box for you. I have read other posts were people mention that oceanic did custom work on enlarging overflow holes and top braces.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, they will do that- my 150 has enlarged holes in the overflows. I'm trying to go with a stock product, if possible.

 

[SPC]

Dan, IMO I would not hesitate to go with the All Glass if that was the tank I wanted.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

When I upgrade to my 120 I am getting the AGA with the overflows. Like gatortail said,cadillac or chevy. I'm perfectly happy with a chevy.Plus,like you said,AGA overflows take up less space.


Welcome back Dan

 

[Anonymous]

I have the All Glass 125 with the twin over-flows. I looked at Oceanic tanks but like you stated, their overflows stick out like a sore thumb. I went with the 125 All Glass. I really like this tank! I got mine for around 325.00 here.

 

[Tcook]

I have the Oceanic 120RR and don't have a problem with the overflows. Plenty of room for my durso standpipes and my heaters as well. Guess you don't need wide corner boxes if you run Stockman pipes. I have both AGA and Oceanic tanks and the quality is superior in the Oceanic product. $110 isn't alot more for something that your going to have set up for the next 10+ years.

 

[Anonymous]

You know, I haven't seen an Oceanic 120 for a while, maybe I'm exaggerating this issue. I have to find one to look at...

 

[Anonymous]

I've seen Oceanic tanks, in fact I'm about to purchase a 180. I also own AGA tanks. I really don't see the big deal with the overflows, and the 120 looks just fine. Having seen them side by side, I'm going to stick with Oceanic from now on.
Jim

 

[Tcook]

You know, I haven't seen an Oceanic 120 for a while, maybe I'm exaggerating this issue. I have to find one to look at...

 

[Mac1]

Hey Dan, glad to see another New Yorker! Upstate no less? Our neck of Upstate, or the upper, upstate? I haven't seen you at any of our club's meetings.

At any rate, I've been a happy owner of an AGA Reef Ready 90 tank, and do not find the overflows cumbersome at all. In fact, I kind of like the curved, rounded shape of them. I don't know what the difference is that Oceanic is charging more for, but I think the AGA is a fine tank. There are a couple people in our group up here with Oceanic Tanks, and they are nice, but... IMO not worth the extra money. And if you've got a problem w/ the overflow as it is... I'd go w/ an AGA.

- Mac

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mac,
Although I did enjoy a couple of years at RIT, I am now located about half an hour south of Albany.

Yeah, I have both AGA and Oceanic tanks, and never have had any problems with them. I Like the quality of the Oceanic, and am leaning towards them- but am still having a problem with those overflows.

But now I also have to decide if I should build the stand or buy one...

 

[Mac1]

LOL! Henrietta Technical Institute, eh?
I actually work across the street from the back of the campus! Small world. Lemme know by eMail if you ever make a trip out to the alma matter... I got a very fraggable reef tank about 10 minutes away ;-)
Actually, I might be driving down to the City for work in a couple weeks and was hoping I could find someone to point me towards a few diversion in that neck of the woods.

If the overflows really bothered you, you could just pull them out/order a tank w/o them. Have the manufacturer drill a couple of holes in the back of the tank, and run your return's over the edge of the tank (ala SeaSwirl, etc.), or go high tech and get a closed loop something or other... I've seen a lot of tanks w/ holes drilled a couple inches below the top rim in the back wall, fitted w/ Bulkheads, and an inverted 90-Street Ell.. Use a Powerhead Prefilter (or Bio-ball, plastic grate, etc.) as a prefilter to catch the snails. Works great. No messy Overflow boxes to deal with.

- Mac

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mac,

There's nothing worth seeing in our area (Dan and I live close to each other), but a new reef store that is supposed to be good opened in Hopewell Jct. last year - November maybe? It's down by Poughkeepsie.

I'll drive to MA anytime I need anything.

 

[esmithiii]

Love my AGA 180. I would be hesitant to have oceanic make a "custom" tank for you... It can be quite costly.

Ernie

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Tan- Thats reef splendor, right? I called them and they said they are open by appointment only- doing mostly mail order, I guess.

 

[Anonymous]

ok - I couldn't remember the name of it. It was the one that Katspaw arranged a big reefclub meeting at for their opening day.

 

[rikacarl]

Dan, I just ordered a 120 from Oceanic custom made with only one overflow (5x9) down the center of the back of the tank. I think it was about $150-200 more to have it made. I also got the starphire glass. :roll: so like I said, not sure how much exactly it would be for just the overflow. It is only is going to take a few weeks to get here, if you were worried about how long it would be to get it from them.

-carl

 

[pcmankey]

I have an AGA 90RR and the smaller overflow is better--it fits a Durso Standpipe and it's not square which is better to me. Why would I want a bigger angular overflow?

 

[Anonymous]

Carl- Starphire is an option with Oceanic? Hmmmm....

Did that extra charge include the glass, or was that just for the overflow? How many drain holes do you have in it?

What kind of stand are you putting it on?