Thinking about building tanks again

[four_by_ken]

I'd think about a 24x24 also.  But, would need a stand with it too.

[linuxrulesusa]

I'd think about a 24x24 also.  But, would need a stand with it too.

And a lid would be good as well - I saw that OTE makes the 24x12 and 36x18 lids which are great but didn't see any 24x18 lids.  Might have missed them though.  I'm looking forward to trying out one of the lights on my 24x18 'cube' after Friday.

[linuxrulesusa]

Would you make cube tanks that aren't ridiculously expensive?  I've been looking at "not standard" size tanks and jeez oh petes they are expensive I'm assuming it's because they are not mass produced.

I would second this.  I really like the 24x18 size and 24x24 size right now but they are quite pricey unless you buy used.

what would be a reasonable price in your opinion?

Just trying to get an idea on a price number we can shoot for

Probably not a dollar per gallon because they have more glass/unusual dimensions vs. the standard sizes but maybe in the ballpark of $50-$75 for the 24x18 and $75-100 for the 24x24?  That might be unrealistic but that would be a very attractive price point for me.  I believe one store in the greater Detroit area has the 24x18 for around $60...I think 24x24 is usually closer to $90-100, but I haven't called around to check pricing on that size.

I like the cube tanks especially for saltwater and for planted community tanks to put in a corner for example - I have one in the corner of my livingroom area.  I'm not sure how big the market is for that size.  Dan (djlamonica) wants them for a different purpose I think - to fit odd leftover space in his fishroom.  There may be other use cases as well.

[four_by_ken]

I want a 24x24 for a corner myself.

Yes, lids and stand also.

[djlamonica]

70 Square   Buy This Online   30 x 30 x 17 Tall   $364

65 Wide   Buy This Online   36 x 24 x 17 Tall   $334

Also a 36x30 tank height irrelevant would be interesting


That is an example of a tank size I'm interested in and a price I would never even begin to think about paying.

I think alot of "hardcore" fish people appreciate wider short tanks much more then the average hobbyist.  I can understand why they are expensive because there not in demand.  I mean $5 a gallon I wouldn't even think about it.  2-3 I might pick up a couple tanks.  I get the $1 a gallon sale is hardly reasonable to compete with.

[djlamonica]

I guess the real question is how much do tanks actually cost to make is $2-$3 a gallon even close to realistic.

[jkeeler]

As someone that has purchased $1/gallon tanks, I have noticed the glass is thinner leading to a bow in the 29 gallons.  I am not sure if the 40/50 breeders sold during these sales have a center brace, but I image they would be worse.  So if your breeder tanks came with thicker glass, center brace and silicone options then I would pay more.  Your 70-80 for 50 gallon seems fair.

[linuxrulesusa]

As someone that has purchased $1/gallon tanks, I have noticed the glass is thinner leading to a bow in the 29 gallons.  I am not sure if the 40/50 breeders sold during these sales have a center brace, but I image they would be worse.  So if your breeder tanks came with thicker glass, center brace and silicone options then I would pay more.  Your 70-80 for 50 gallon seems fair.

Did the 29 bow immediately or over time?

[jkeeler]

As someone that has purchased $1/gallon tanks, I have noticed the glass is thinner leading to a bow in the 29 gallons.  I am not sure if the 40/50 breeders sold during these sales have a center brace, but I image they would be worse.  So if your breeder tanks came with thicker glass, center brace and silicone options then I would pay more.  Your 70-80 for 50 gallon seems fair.

Did the 29 bow immediately or over time?

Immediately,  I have them turned and sitting on a rack and had lids made to go the other direction.  The average consumer may not realize, but with my lids the extra distance in the middle is noticeable.  The 20L's because of the shorter height are fine.

[Super Turtleman]

I'd be down for reasonably priced lids!

Me too.

[Ron]

Would you make cube tanks that aren't ridiculously expensive?  I've been looking at "not standard" size tanks and jeez oh petes they are expensive I'm assuming it's because they are not mass produced.

I would second this.  I really like the 24x18 size and 24x24 size right now but they are quite pricey unless you buy used.

what would be a reasonable price in your opinion?

Just trying to get an idea on a price number we can shoot for

Probably not a dollar per gallon because they have more glass/unusual dimensions vs. the standard sizes but maybe in the ballpark of $50-$75 for the 24x18 and $75-100 for the 24x24?  That might be unrealistic but that would be a very attractive price point for me.  I believe one store in the greater Detroit area has the 24x18 for around $60...I think 24x24 is usually closer to $90-100, but I haven't called around to check pricing on that size.

I like the cube tanks especially for saltwater and for planted community tanks to put in a corner for example - I have one in the corner of my livingroom area.  I'm not sure how big the market is for that size.  Dan (djlamonica) wants them for a different purpose I think - to fit odd leftover space in his fishroom.  There may be other use cases as well.

Regarding the statement in bold above, I believe you're trying to say that cube tanks have more glass than standard tanks? If so, that's completely opposite of the truth. A cube would give you the greatest volume with the least surface area.

[rcombs]

As someone that has purchased $1/gallon tanks, I have noticed the glass is thinner leading to a bow in the 29 gallons.  I am not sure if the 40/50 breeders sold during these sales have a center brace, but I image they would be worse.  So if your breeder tanks came with thicker glass, center brace and silicone options then I would pay more.  Your 70-80 for 50 gallon seems fair.

I have purchased 2 (40G) breeders for growing out corals in the past at the $1/GAL sale. Sold one and still have one. No bowing to my tanks. There is also no center brace to answer your question. $1 per gallon is tough to beat. I find myself not wanting to wait around for it as I am sure others are the same way. When I decide I want a tank, I want it now. lol. Those prices are really fair for year round. Its hard to find this good deal on craigslist for a used tank. I think making tanks would be beneficial.

[linuxrulesusa]

Would you make cube tanks that aren't ridiculously expensive?  I've been looking at "not standard" size tanks and jeez oh petes they are expensive I'm assuming it's because they are not mass produced.

I would second this.  I really like the 24x18 size and 24x24 size right now but they are quite pricey unless you buy used.

what would be a reasonable price in your opinion?

Just trying to get an idea on a price number we can shoot for

Probably not a dollar per gallon because they have more glass/unusual dimensions vs. the standard sizes but maybe in the ballpark of $50-$75 for the 24x18 and $75-100 for the 24x24?  That might be unrealistic but that would be a very attractive price point for me.  I believe one store in the greater Detroit area has the 24x18 for around $60...I think 24x24 is usually closer to $90-100, but I haven't called around to check pricing on that size.

I like the cube tanks especially for saltwater and for planted community tanks to put in a corner for example - I have one in the corner of my livingroom area.  I'm not sure how big the market is for that size.  Dan (djlamonica) wants them for a different purpose I think - to fit odd leftover space in his fishroom.  There may be other use cases as well.

Regarding the statement in bold above, I believe you're trying to say that cube tanks have more glass than standard tanks? If so, that's completely opposite of the truth. A cube would give you the greatest volume with the least surface area.

I was getting at "more glass vs a 20 high" and "unusual dimensions justifies a higher price tag" but as written what I said made no sense.    Thanks for the correction.

[rcombs]

I would buy 5 custom glass tops for ten gallon tanks if you could make them. My tanks are turned sideways on my tank rack so the small pane of glass faces out. I see this a lot with other fish rooms as well. Be nice if it had a small flip up feeding door on them. 

[OTE]

thanks for all the replies everyone.

It looks like we will be building tanks again. We will provide you guys with some more details once we get everything finalized in the coming weeks