Getting tank built?

[mseepman]

Anyone have some more detailed opinions about Concept Aquariums in Edmonton?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mseepman

Anyone have some more detailed opinions about Concept Aquariums in Edmonton?

I personally like their tanks, the attention to detail is good and they always look of good quality however they do have a premium price tag. The only problem is I have heard of two larger custom tanks here in town that leaked, the exact reason why is unknown but as far as I know the warranty was not honored by the manufacturer, which is strange because they sell their warranty as the best in the business.

As for BVA I think the build quality is fairly good, and the overall product is excellent value. I have owned a BV tank myself and never had a problem with it. I also know many others using them and never have I heard of one failing in anyway. Second what's wrong with recycling? Last time I checked this is a good thing, right? As long as the build is solid and the viewable panes are mint what exactly is the difference, if it saves you a little money and keeps the landfills a little less full it's a good thing. Third, you can get whatever you want, he will build to your specs and use whatever glass you tell him. The only issue really is time, which you need a lot of to get a custom tank from him.

[lastlight]

If everyone shopping there knows it's recycled I have no problem with it.

I think in the end two big questions you need to ask yourself is:

1) how important is your time and

2) how particular are you about your tank. If you want ground/polished edges, really clean and straight joints, no shower door frosting/etching on the inside of your tank, things done right the first time...then choose accordingly. Again I wish I didn't look like I was dwelling on this but when I read the words starfire, black silicone, rimless etc I think of a hobbiest like myself. I've seen (and had) a lot of BVA tanks and I personally wouldn't be happy with one now and I'm trying my best to help out.

If it was in-wall I think it's MUCH less of an issue if you are patient and the glass you end up getting is scratch free.

[Eb0la11]

Well, reports of BVA being slow can be confirmed. My tank wasnt ready on Monday as they told me. Apparently Thursday but Im not holding my breath.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Eb0la11

Well, reports of BVA being slow can be confirmed. My tank wasnt ready on Monday as they told me. Apparently Thursday but Im not holding my breath.

It might be better not to rush these sorts of things anyway :-)

I myself decided to go with a BVA build. I'm totally fine with them recycling glass so long as the tank is rock solid, which it seems it will be from all accounts I've heard so far. If the tank is solid and I can see my fish through crystal clear glass then they can build my overflow box and the bottom of the tank out of coke bottles for all I care. He asked me if I wanted my tank quick or if they could take a couple of weeks to work on it. I knew better than to ask for it quick so I told them to take their time. luckily I am in no rush either.

And actually I rather enjoyed transacting with him. He knew his stuff and was very helpful in helping me design my tank. I had brought in sketches with exactly what I wanted to build and he gave lots if comments and suggestions on all aspects of my design to help refine it. He even threw in all the bulkheads that I'll need. Tank will be 72" x 22" x 22" with an external overflow box. Overflow box will be drilled with 4 1" holes for herbie drains. Eurobraced with holes in euro brace for returns to drop down into the tank. Polished edges. He showed me a bunch of tanks he had on the go for people (they looked like tanks people would put in their homes rather than commercial tanks so I think they belonged to average Joes), and they looked very nice.

I don't have my tank yet so the jury is still out.. but so far so good *fingers crossed*.

K.

[sphelps]

One more note about BVA, don't for one second believe that he uses old shower doors and windows for glass, these would be tempered as required by safety regulations so how could someone possibly use them to make standard size aquariums? This is not what is meant by recycling. Most of the time he will use crops from other glass suppliers and shops. These shops order big sheets but cut them to customer requirements and of course there are many left overs. A smart person would buy these as they are perfectly good new pieces of glass which will save you money and allow you to sell your product for less. These big sheets will also come with etched patterns and hence you may see this on the bottom pane from time to time but it's still new glass, just as good as any other.

Really it's just time for custom work, standard tanks are dirt cheap and easy to come by.

[lastlight]

That explains my frosted sump patterns then. Thanks for pointing that out.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by sphelps

One more note about BVA, don't for one second believe that he uses old shower doors and windows for glass, these would be tempered as required by safety regulations so how could someone possibly use them to make standard size aquariums? This is not what is meant by recycling. Most of the time he will use crops from other glass suppliers and shops. These shops order big sheets but cut them to customer requirements and of course there are many left overs. A smart person would buy these as they are perfectly good new pieces of glass which will save you money and allow you to sell your product for less. These big sheets will also come with etched patterns and hence you may see this on the bottom pane from time to time but it's still new glass, just as good as any other.

Really it's just time for custom work, standard tanks are dirt cheap and easy to come by.

I have seen the frosting as well, with mine own two eyes....and not on just Brett's tank either.