Tank Builders Calgary

[earliris]

Anyone have contact info for Calgary Tank Builders?

[chris121277]

I'm looking for this as well.....so


free Bump

[karazy]

you can contact either elite aquatics or the user reefcanada to reach a tank builder by the name of jason.
he is the builder of the ever so famous "lastlights 225 gallon" and also has full access to a cnc machine. yes people that means 1 piece glass eurobraces.
i personaly wouldnt get a tank built by anybody but him due to the fantastic work he has done for me and the amazing work i have seen him put out.

[earliris]

Anyone...Anyone...??

[Bloodasp]

+1 one elite. just google elite aquatics calgary.

[globaldesigns]

Elite does make some of the best tanks, mine is from him, but however I won't deal with him again. If you do, be very careful about pricing and do your research and shop around.

Denis at Gold aquariums is doing some nice work, they are replacing many of their tanks and what they have built are very nice and well designed.

[earliris]

i understand Gary builds tanks for Golds Aquarium. Anyone know if he does side jobs and if so what is his contact??

Thanks

[Carmen]

Check out Red Coral.

[Seamazter]

deleted post.

[earliris]

Glad to see you swallowed your words there.

[Eb0la11]

Bow Valley Aquatics has been great in my history with them and good for a price conscious aquarist.

[Seamazter]

Didnt swallow any words, my words were meant for pm.

[Ryan]

Elite does make some of the best tanks, mine is from him, but however I won't deal with him again. If you do, be very careful about pricing and do your research and shop around.

Denis at Gold aquariums is doing some nice work, they are replacing many of their tanks and what they have built are very nice and well designed.

Actually Bow Valley is now building Gold's tanks. I have dealt with him on a professional basis and wont deal with him again... ever.

I 2nd Carmen here about checking out Red Coral.

[globaldesigns]

Actually Bow Valley is now building Gold's tanks. I have dealt with him on a professional basis and wont deal with him again... ever.

I 2nd Carmen here about checking out Red Coral.

Really!!! I will have to ask Dennis about that, as they don't look like Bow Valley tanks that I have ever seen. They look better than any Bow Valley tank I have actually seen.

Hmmmmm....

I would talk to Kevin @ Red Coral also, if that is the case.

[globaldesigns]

removed.

I can say the tanks that Dennis @ Gold's is getting look very nice. They even have small spacers inbetween all seems in order to get proper silicone connections between glass. Very nice work there.

[mr.wilson]

and also has full access to a cnc machine. yes people that means 1 piece glass eurobraces.


I think you mean 1 piece acrylic eurobraces.

[karazy]

I think you mean 1 piece acrylic eurobraces.

no my good sir one piece glass eurobraces.
can onlybe done by a very skilled man on a very expensive machine, but we got em.

[mr.wilson]

So it's a CNC laser cutter, or water jet cutter? That's an expensive eurobrace when you look at the cutt-off, labour and machine time.

[karazy]

So it's a CNC laser cutter, or water jet cutter? That's an expensive eurobrace when you look at the cutt-off, labour and machine time.

its a cnc. prices can be negotiated with jason the tank builder.

[kien]

yup, i've seen it, and it is definitely one solid piece of GLASS eurobrace goodness :-) It is gorgeous but very expensive!

[superduperwesman]

yup, i've seen it, and it is definitely one solid piece of GLASS eurobrace goodness :-) It is gorgeous but very expensive!

Also saw it the other day. VERY sexy... if you want a brace on your tank that is, but I'm sure it's pricey.

[Zoaelite]

I also picked up my 170g from Colby @ Elite, Jays work is one of a kind and in my opinion the best in Calgary. The price was fantastic and Colby stands behind all of his work, there are a few other places in Calgary but Elite takes the cake.

Few older photos of the tank:
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3410/p1110168.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1110168.jpg)

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/157/p1110188.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1110188.jpg)

I believe that is the Euro bracing Evan is talking about in the second photo but I might be wrong.
Levi

[kien]

I believe that is the Euro bracing Evan is talking about in the second photo but I might be wrong.
Levi

wow, quite the jungle you've got going there Levi! All you need in there is a banana tree and you're set! Actually, I have a banana tree I'm trying to get rid of, you want it?? :lol:

Actually, is your eurobrace 4 strips of glass? That's what it looks like in the photo. Mine is like that too. What Evan is talking about is, imagine that eurobrace as one continuous piece of glass (like a sheet of glass with a giant hole cut out of it), not 4 pieces glued together.

My 150g tank was built by Elite as well and I love it. The craftsmanship is excellent.

[MMAX]

removed.

Does Mitch still work there? I wish more detail was paid to my tank that I got from there. Discovered a deep 2" scratch on the front panel that was invisible until it was filled with water.

[Zoaelite]

No more plants please... all it has equated to is more places for my cats to **** :neutral:. That's about 2 months ago the basement is less green now but still maintains its rainforest feel (I just bought a veiled chameleon too :biggrin:). Yes the glass on mine is 4 different pieces, with the beveled edges and seamless silicone job it might as well be 1.

Max I heard some interesting stories about Mitch from Fire & Sputum (Derek and Kris), I don't know if he still works there but that sounds like something he would pull.

[Rahim101]

Does Mitch still work there? I wish more detail was paid to my tank that I got from there. Discovered a deep 2" scratch on the front panel that was invisible until it was filled with water.

Did you mention it to anyone at the shop?
I'm sure they would have resolved the issue for you.
Can fix a problem till you know it exists.

Mitch does still work there, just not nearly as much.

[golf nut]

its a cnc. prices can be negotiated with jason the tank builder.
CNC means computer numeric control, this is what controls the left, right and vertical moves of a system, the cutting tool could be a router, a large spindle , a water jet or a flame cutter or laser, he is asking what is the actual cutting mechanism.

I suspect water jet.

[MMAX]

Did you mention it to anyone at the shop?
I'm sure they would have resolved the issue for you.
Can fix a problem till you know it exists.

Mitch does still work there, just not nearly as much.

Nope because it sat empty for a year. Like I said, I only noticed it after it was filled.

[buddyreefer]

if anybody wants to see bow valleys aquariums in vancouver check out munstertanks as they are getting their tanks made by them.

[golf nut]

Are they still using shower doors for the bottoms of tanks?

[Dolf]

The tank builders have been mentioned, so I have no names to add. I did, however, stop by Elite a few days back. I had a few minutes and was driving by- so I thought I would look at the livestock. Instead I spent the whole visit drooling over the tanks that were sitting on the floor. The attention to detail, the beveling of the surfaces and yes, the one piece euro braces were amazing. The other shops mentioned do fine work as well and I would not hesitate to buy a tank from most small shops as the owners will do what is necessary to make you happy. Having said that, some of the features that I saw on those tanks are not (as far as I know) available from other builders and it is actually worth stopping in just to see them and look at the features.

[Ryan]

Are they still using shower doors for the bottoms of tanks?

LOL we have some terrariums that are 1 way glass all the way around or dark tint. We didnt order them like that either.

[fishytime]

Geez.....for a couple shops that dont wanna pay to advertise here they sure dont mind when they get it free. :wink:

[Rahim101]

removed

[kaboom]

You're right, no more shower doors. Just a hugh headache and lots of frustration. I got Mitch to build me a 300g, what a mistake. I thought since Rahim had joined the team that things would improve, but not the case. Every few days I would call and Mitch he would give me a different excuse as to why it's delayed. When I finally got my tank, the overflow dimension was incorrect and there was an 1" chip in one pane. Other than that the tank was build fine. The price was the main attration to using Bow Valley,

[muck]

I've learned the hard way a few times... You get what you pay for 99.9% of the time.

[burtonpj48]

I had my 1st tank built by golds, I considered the nice shop and the amount of business that went thru the shop. I made that mistake. I requested starphire front, but didnt get it. Too many air bubbles within the seams. Also the edges of the glass are rough not polished. The glass it self is very thick. I met a person who had thier tank made by gary, the person who builds for red coral and ocean city. Its better than bow valley, but also there are some imperfetions such as bubbles within the seams. The next time i have a tank built, i would go to elite, Its nice they can display the product on the floor so you can see what you are getting. The tanks there are very nice. smooth lines and edges, seams are nice and clean. If price is not an issue!

[globaldesigns]

I had my 1st tank built by golds, I considered the nice shop and the amount of business that went thru the shop. I made that mistake. I requested starphire front, but didnt get it. Too many air bubbles within the seams. Also the edges of the glass are rough not polished. The glass it self is very thick. I met a person who had thier tank made by gary, the person who builds for red coral and ocean city. Its better than bow valley, but also there are some imperfetions such as bubbles within the seams. The next time i have a tank built, i would go to elite, Its nice they can display the product on the floor so you can see what you are getting. The tanks there are very nice. smooth lines and edges, seams are nice and clean. If price is not an issue!

You will always get some bubbles, in the seams. My tank, from Elite, has some... As long as the seams are strong, no worries. When they delivered mine, there was also some damage (can't say it was there in the store or from delivery), but it was the back corner. It was chipped away, not enough to be a structural problem. I just put some crazy glue on it to clean it up some. It has been almost 2 years with no issues.

I think all tank builders have their pros and cons, and everyone can probably say something negative about all. Best bet is to do your research see some examples and make your selection from there.

As most know, I majorly dislike Colby @ elite, as he ripped me off too many times before I started to smartin up and so many other things. But I will commend him and more Jayson for the quality of tanks they produce. I will eventually want another tank, would love to have another from him, but of course refuse to give him anymore money. So I don't know what I will do, maybe build my own?

[Fragzilla]

I agree that Elite's tanks have very nice details, but there is a HUGE cost for the CNC machining. I priced out my new tank through Elite and it was 3-4 times the cost of Golds. With the way my tank is set up I wanted 2 of the edges to be beveled and polished, I got what I asked for.

Sitting on the shop floor Elite's tanks look great, but IMO once the tank is set up I doesn't justifiy the extra cost.

FYI - gary build the tanks for Golds. When/if I am looking for another tank I wouldn't even shop anywhere else.

[kien]

Wow I think we have a mystery on our hands! Who builds tanks for Golds?? Does anybody really know?! :lol:

[Ryan]

Bow Valley builds tanks for Golds. Gary retired and somone bought him out. I know who it is but am not supposed to say anything. Hopefully this person will come out and say something to clear this matter up.

[Fragzilla]

Well I bought my tank from Golds and it was Gary that built it and then ever so kindly brought it my house and helped me pack it in....

[kien]

oh the plot thickens!! :lol:

[lastlight]

I've had tanks built by both Mitch and Gary through Golds.

[Zoaelite]

I've had tanks built by both Mitch and Gary through Golds.

How do I become a cheatoball trimmer? :lol:

[lastlight]

How do I become a cheatoball trimmer? :lol:

That's one hairy thread derail. I'd have to trim ya permanently if I told :razz:

[Zoaelite]

That's one hairy thread derail. I'd have to trim ya permanently if I told :razz:

I don't think we have rail's to be derailed here at Canreef :lol:, What does this "permanent trimming" consist of and how "Permanent" is it? :lol::lol::lol:.

On topic as said before you really get what you pay for, Colby's tanks might be more expensive but Jay's quality and his services are well worth it. I'm not saying other LFS in Calgary can't match up but in my personal experience Elite takes the cake for tank building.

[Ryan]

Well I bought my tank from Golds and it was Gary that built it and then ever so kindly brought it my house and helped me pack it in....

Thats nice, but since Gary's retirement Bow Valley has taken over building all of golds tanks.

[burtonpj48]

[[B]QUOTE=Fragzilla;501364]I agree that Elite's tanks have very nice details, but there is a HUGE cost for the CNC machining. I priced out my new tank through Elite and it was 3-4 times the cost of Golds. With the way my tank is set up I wanted 2 of the edges to be beveled and polished, I got what I asked for.

Sitting on the shop floor Elite's tanks look great, but IMO once the tank is set up I doesn't justifiy the extra cost.

It all depends on you, i guess. I got a quote from elite which i thought was high. But I dont mind paying for a nice tank. The tank i have now, the edges are rough, Its a 90 gallon tank but the glass is 5/8" thick. I didnt know any better. If i would have known that the edges would have been rough cut, I would have notified them to polish the edges. Its something u learn from. Next time i know better.

[Fragzilla]

Thats nice, but since Gary's retirement Bow Valley has taken over building all of golds tanks.

That's nice Gary was at my house 2 weeks ago - lol

[bulletsworld]

You will always get some bubbles, in the seams. My tank, from Elite, has some... As long as the seams are strong, no worries. When they delivered mine, there was also some damage (can't say it was there in the store or from delivery), but it was the back corner. It was chipped away, not enough to be a structural problem. I just put some crazy glue on it to clean it up some. It has been almost 2 years with no issues.

I think all tank builders have their pros and cons, and everyone can probably say something negative about all. Best bet is to do your research see some examples and make your selection from there.

+1 :mrgreen:

All tanks get bubbles, in the seams. All tank builders have pro's and cons, as do the stock they hold and their prices.

Eight months back I got my 230 tank, starfire glass around built by Gold's, it was Gary that built. Best tank I've ever owned and the best price. I shopped around to ever builders mentioned before I decided. Gold's built the tank and sump exactly how I wanted with no extra cost. Nice work too. I even got all the edges smoothed. Since I got a good deal though, I picked it up. Met the guys in Golds parking lot. Now, when people come over, I get asked about who built it all the time. Dennis is awesome at Gold's. If he gets to know you, then you can pre-order what ever you want and is very knowledgeable. If its not right, he will make it right. He's proved that to me time and again. He even makes sure his stock is healthy and eating before he lets it go. I think that shows care right there for customer service. IMO, I think he has the best price in town as a builder, stock and supplies. However if he has another builder, than I can't say if the tank style changed or how good the work is.

Hope that helps. :mrgreen:

[T Dawg]

The tank builders have been mentioned, so I have no names to add. I did, however, stop by Elite a few days back. I had a few minutes and was driving by- so I thought I would look at the livestock. Instead I spent the whole visit drooling over the tanks that were sitting on the floor. The attention to detail, the beveling of the surfaces and yes, the one piece euro braces were amazing. The other shops mentioned do fine work as well and I would not hesitate to buy a tank from most small shops as the owners will do what is necessary to make you happy. Having said that, some of the features that I saw on those tanks are not (as far as I know) available from other builders and it is actually worth stopping in just to see them and look at the features.
Please buy the square one so it is safe for me to go back in there. Bow Valley on the avoid list for the same reason:lol:.

[Namnuta]

Jays tanks at Elite are impressive. The care to detail is second to none IMO.

I have a tank i bought from riverfront, but was built by Bow Valley im quite sure, and i would never buy from either again.

[superduperwesman]

That's nice Gary was at my house 2 weeks ago - lol

That's nice, Gary was at my house yesterday but he doesn't build tanks and isn't the same Gary that you are talking about

Sorry, just wanted to join in on the "that's nice" about Gary. Seemed fun ahah.

Lets get Gary on here.. but which Gary?

[Rahim101]

Gary Leu use to build tanks for Golds.
not sure if he still does.
I've know Gary since way back when he use to build tanks for Capital Aquarium (I use to work there....LOL) that goes back to 1992

[monza]

CNC euro brace.... how does that work? Can't even think your talking the brace and side glass are one piece of glass? That would be a huge hunk of glass and yea bling bling $$.
ANy pics?

[kien]

No, the top and sides are not one piece. Just the eurobrace itself (on top) is one solid piece instead of 4 individual pieces.

[monza]

Thanks, makes perfect sense now. DUH.

[earliris]

Thanks to all that have replied.

Just received my new tank and sump on Tuesday! Looks amazing!

Purchased at Gold's and was in fact built by Gary. Gary is the man! Even though it took a month to build. It was well worth the wait given the end result. You can see that he really puts a lot of care into building a tank.

Thank you Gold's and thank you Gary!


Can't wait to have it all set up...

[muck]

Pics or it didn't happen. :twised:

[mseepman]

Agreed...would love to see the tank.

[earliris]

I should have some pics posted tomorrow.

[fire&sputum]

My Experience with Bow Valley Aquarium:
I had a 90 gallon built by them and then was going to get a 140 gallon built by them.
We were very happy with the 90 gallon tanks quality and price but dealing with Mitch was a nightmare.
His timetable mean absolutely nothing.
I honestly don't think that he can actually help himself.
The strange thing is that his employees all seem to know this and just shake their heads at his strange behavior and apologize for him:sad:.
I had read lots of posts about not dealing with Mitch but thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt due to his good prices and production time- this was a major mistake that I regret.
What I do not understand is why he does not just give realistic timetables and be upfront with people? He has absolutely no intention of meeting any of his deadlines and his staff are well aware of this.
If anyone doubts what I say- I strongly encourage you to visit his shop in person. Tell me about your experience as it will be unlike dealing with any salesman you have dealt with before.
That being said I will state that his product seems good to me and his price was also good, but regret ever dealing with him.

[kaboom]

I completely agree with every you just said. I gave him the benifit of the doubt and ordered with Mitch, this was after I was informed that his business pratices has improve. Wow, I can't imagine what it was like before. Quality was fine, price was great, and service???? well...what service? Everytime I would call to ask for an ETA, he would lie and ask for more money. Money talks with this guy but you see nothing out of it. You pretty much have to hold a gun to his head just to get what you paid for after pleading and pulling out hair to stay calm about the ordeal. He promises you the world before he take your deposite, and then you're in it for the long haul. Be prepare for many sleepless nights.

[scuba ken]

I beg you all to have NOTHING to do with BowValley, I am down over $3000.00 that so far he is refusing to refund, he is a liar and a cheat.

I hope you are reading this Mitch, you know who I am, whoops ......... That's right, you don't know anything about "f"ing computers, and it's everyone else's fault that you didn't get messages or they didn't reply with information you were asked for.

Seriously, I wish I had never heard of this liar, or Bow Valley Aquariums, if you want more information PM me direct, oh and Mitch if u are reading this, please don't think I will ever stop telling everyone I meet what a awful experience I have had with you.
You owe me $3000.00 plus my out of pocket expenses.

[hfp75]

Elite Aquatics is gone....

Who are the 2013 tank builders in and around Calgary?

[denny_CC]

concept aquariums baby for the win:)

hands down the best builders in canada.....but i am biased:P