Just had a quote for my new tank.....

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

..... and I was wondering if this sounds right as I have a relative lack of experience.

The tank;

96" x 36" x 30", including cabinet and hood - £3070

On site building charge - £450

Is that about right or not?

Dave

[MatsP]

I couldn't say, but give these guys a call and see what they say (they built my custom made tanks):
http://www.seabray.com/contactus.html

These guys list a tank your size at £1500. Cabinet adds another £500.
http://www.aquariums.ltd.uk/Aquarium%20 ... ?offset=-1

A tank that size by itself (no stand, lights or such) is $1500 at http://www.glasscages.com. The stand and canopy would add another ~$1000. And there are several other things that may adjust the price up beyond that (overflow system, etc).

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Mats

[Martin S]

These guys list a 96"x30"x24" (aquarium only) at £619.
http://www.acaquatics.co.uk/bare_aquariums.htm
The link to aquariums.ltd is for a 96x30x30 at just over £1500, so guessing it's because yours is a 36" wide that things start to get expensive.
No harm in calling around though.
Martin

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

Sorry to be picky Mats

Aquariums.ltd.uk max is 96 x 30 x 30

Glasscages.com do a 96 x 36 x 25 which is probably an idea size but they do not do a cabinet or hood for this (max is 96 x 30) and I hate to think of the shipping cost to get it here.

I've rung seabray and left a message.

The reason I am looking at 36" in width is I thought it would give me a bit more time before I had to upgrade again but have I got this wrong, will 30" be enough?

[MatsP]

The link I supplied supposedly uses 15mm glass in the tank - but it may well be that there is a fair bit of difference in price as well.

I remember finding a "online quote" tool for custom made tanks some time ago, but my google search today didn't find it.

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Mats

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

Martin

Their tanks look good as well but still potentially an issue with width, not sure.

[Martin S]

You could try these guys too - the more quotes the merrier!
http://www.theaquaticroom.com/contact_us.php

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

Well first and foremost guys I need to ask, I was informed that a tank needed to be twice as wide as the longest fish in there, is this the case cause this is the reason I was looking at a three foot wide tank so the cats could get up to 18-20" with out issue.

If this isn't the case I may not need a custom tank just yet!

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

Ok, I've just spoken to Aquariums Ltd. They will do a 96x30x24 tank (in 10mm glass) with cabinet and hood for £801.20!

Considering the stock for it (a giant giraffe cat, redtail x shovel nose hybrid cat and the big plec) which are all 12" - 14" currently, how long are they going to be ok in there for?

[Lloydy]

Saw a link earlier to this place http://www.poseidons-palace.co.uk/

96 x 24 x 30 = £302
96 x 30 x 36 = £610

Might be worth checking prices and trying to haggle a bit from several people. I'm sure with the current economical situation you can knock a bit off if you pay up front.

[MatsP]

Lloydy's advice is good.

The general rule is to have a tank that is 4L x 2L x 2L where L is the length of the fish - that's the basic minimum - if the fish is very active/fast swimmer, you need a bit larger. Smaller can be done on slow-moving, inactive fish (large plecos for example - they tend to not move much or very quickly). I'd also say that height isn't so important with larger tanks - 24-30" height is OK.

10mm glass for a 96" long tank sounds quite thin, but if they guarantee it, then I guess it's fine.

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Mats

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

Ok so why don't I go for 72 x 36 x 24 for my 3 guys and that will see them through to 18"-20"?

The tank made out of 10mm glass has a 3 year guarantee Mats.

Also guys time scales for my 3 to grow 6"'s?

[MatsP]

Can't say how fast they will grow in the new tank - expect a bit of a growth spurt tho', as they get better water quality and more room to roam.

A shorter, wider tank is definitely of benefit, as it gives you good base-area. Bigger volume is of course of benefit as there is more water to take up the "dirt".

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mats

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

I understand about the dirt Mats, it's just to me as this is likely to end up being a large cichlid tank in the end it makes sense to keep the costs down in my mind.

Think I'm going to see what sort of cost 72x36x24 will be.

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

Ok, Aquariums ltd will do me a 72" x 36" x 24" tank with glass sliders and hood for £507 delivered. That sounds like a plan to me unless someone tells me it's a bad idea.

The only other alternative is to go 96" x 48" x 24", don't know the price but it will allow for the cats to grow to 24"'s.

[Martin S]

Although going for a 48" wide will just make the price go through the roof as would imagine you woudl need at least 15mm glass.
As it is a short(ish) term solution, I'd say the 6'x3'x2' will give, as Mats says, a bigger floor space. Unless they can do the 8'x3'x2' for a bit more (though I doubt it as it would need to be 15mm glass again I suspect), then I'd suggest you go with the 6'x3'x2'.
Good luck!
Martin

[Bigcatsrus(the bf!)]

Well see this is my thought. A 6x3x2 is 1000 litre basically so half of my stock is going to be moved in to a tank more an twice as big.

It's going to be better for the cats because financially it can be done almost straight away and it's better for my wallet as I started at (including filtration etc) over £4000 yesterday and ending up at less than £1000 today.

Thanks for all the help, I'll start another thread up to kepp you up to date (and pick your brains if you don't mind!) once the tank arrives.