Tanks from Source Aquatics Calgary? Too good to be true??

[Namnuta]

There is a lot more work that goes into tanks that are more expensive. I have a bow Valley tank, and it has rough cut edges, bubbles in the silicone and overall is a very very entry level tank.You could almost say low quality. (I have a 165G tall)

Then you can take a look at Jays tanks at Elite. The care and attention to detail is amazing, he offers things no one else is offering like his amazing 1 piece Euro Bracing. Honestly they are some of the nicest tanks i have every seen.

Bow Valleys tank cost me $500 when i bought it 6 years ago. Jays tanks @ Elite are almost 4 times that amount. But you get what you pay for.

Also price can also depend on the buying power of the maker. Bow valley makes a lot of tanks vs jay at Elite is a one man show, so obviously his costs are going to be way higher.

When i upgrade im getting a tank from jay or something comparable.

IMHO bow Valley tanks are good for new people in the hobby, but i would never upgrade to one. This post was in no way meant to be a plug for Elite or jay, it was just an easy example.

[zum14]

i totally agree with you, my only thing that i have trouble with is it takes me a while to decide that the extra $1000 is justified you know? Yes i agree, attention to detail is worth alot, fit and finish is worth alot but is it worth what there selling it for. The only thing i can come up with is it must be because there still in buisness and still selling tanks. But i guess i need to run through the paces of working my way up there.

[Red Coral Aquariums]

People don't realize that the tank is really the cheapest part of the whole setup and it's the one thing that many people try and get away with spending the least on.
Kevin

[zum14]

Originally Posted by Red Coral Aquariums

People don't realize that the tank is really the cheapest part of the whole setup and it's the one thing that many people try and get away with spending the least on.
Kevin

Do you mean like compared to lights and such? I dont know if id say its the cheapest (compared to pumps, fittings, rocks and such), but really it is the backbone of the system. I think the complication of the tank im going to be after is going to force me to go with someone that is really organized to make sure the tank gets setup proper.

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by zum14

i totally agree with you, my only thing that i have trouble with is it takes me a while to decide that the extra $1000 is justified you know? Yes i agree, attention to detail is worth alot, fit and finish is worth alot but is it worth what there selling it for. The only thing i can come up with is it must be because there still in buisness and still selling tanks. But i guess i need to run through the paces of working my way up there.

I think the bigger reason behind the $1000.00 is guarantee of workmanship, you receive a tank (At least in Jay's case) that is flawless and on top of that someone that stands behind there work.

If your bowvalley tank explodes on you at 2:00am will the builder be at your house helping you clean?

[zum14]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

I think the bigger reason behind the $1000.00 is guarantee of workmanship, you receive a tank (At least in Jay's case) that is flawless and on top of that someone that stands behind there work.

If your bowvalley tank explodes on you at 2:00am will the builder be at your house helping you clean?

Well first i do agree, but for the sake of debate, No bow valley is not going to care. Also i have to say that if for some unknown reason one of lets say jay's tank goes for whatever reason, even though he backs it up, hes not going to pay for your insurance deductable, the loss's for your livestock, I would imagine a new tank would be coming but again, he doesnt have to find someone to insure your house after youve had a claim like that or help you clean either. Is your tank from him?

[viperfish]

Quite the debate here! It's gone from rough edges and bubbles in the silicone to exploding in the middle of the night! The only way this hobby is going to grow is by people starting out with entry level equipment and progressing from there. People just starting out or those on a limited income aren't looking for perfection, they're looking for something that does the job, and I'm sure Bow Valley fills this niche just fine. Just because someone uses a Seaclone skimmer, it doesn't mean they are any less passionate about the hobby. I'm not promoting Bow Valley by any means but let's face it, you don't need a Rolls Royce to go to the grocery store if a Hyundai does the job just fine.

[zum14]

It is funny though cause i dont know how much of a debate it actually is cause i think we are all agreeing, im just being a stinker with the other stuff. haha.

[Rahim101]

Originally Posted by zum14

Ok so mulling over this a bit more and i think i should put this out there to see what people think because its one thing that i kind of have trouble with. I find that once a company knows that they have the repor to do so they will bend you over a barrel. What i mean is that you have a company such as source aquatics, they may not have such a good track record, they prob spend $100 on glass and $100 on man hours to make a tank say 180 gal. They then turn and sell the tank for 450$. I will not deny the chances of getting a sub par product because, to a point, it is true you get what you pay for. But my problem is you get places that have a good repor with everyone and all the sudden there stuff is gold. They may spend $200 for the same amount of glass but better quality, and maybe $250-300 for man hours for better built product, But they then turn and sell it for $1500-$2000 for there name and because they basically go well its this or the bad stuff. I just have trouble trying to figure out whether or not the extra 1000 is worth the bragging rights. In the end i will prob spend the extra for the peace of mind but its just something that i find troublesome.

Just so every knows...I'm Ray from Bow Valley / Source Aquatics.

I have been doing some of the marketing for Mitch just to bring in some more "retail" business and work a commission based on sales I bring into the shop. I put up that website for free ....yes because I don't get paid for marketing.

Bow Valley has been in business in Calgary for 35 years and has been building tanks for 30 of those years. most of the tanks built 30 years ago, are still holding water and in the last 20 years, we have only had 1 tank with a faulty seam and 3 tanks with minor leaks come back to the shop. We offer a warranty on all the tanks and back our products.

We use NEW glass on all of our tanks of 3 years ago.

We all know that dealing with Mitch can be tough and that is why I'm here. to help smooth the edges of Mitch. Mitch can be quite generous with his timeliness on getting product to the end user and we are working on at least giving a more reasonable waiting period where we think the tank can be delivered as promised.

Bow Valley Services has been supplying local, provincial, national and recently stores all over the USA.

for prices, I think we are more than competitive with 180 gal tanks selling for $375.00 with glass tops etc, etc.

I have heard MANY people complain about the service of the company but not many once the receive the product.

As far as the bubbles in the silicone, they happen when you squeeze the the silicone out of the tube.

Just a note, I'm not here defending the company, just providing information.
I dont own the company just do a bit of marketing that helps pay for my hobby and my tanks.

My VERY first tank was bought from Gold Aquariums and was a Bow Valley Tank and I have personally owned 30 tanks built by Bow Valley and never had a leak or any issue.

I you have had any issue, please PM me and we can find a way to deal with it.

if you do end up purchasing a tank from Bow Valley and anyone tells you that you can have the tank in a few days, its just not going to happen, plan to wait around 3 weeks as that's probably how long it will take.

Any questions for me...feel free to PM.

Cheers,

PS: we have a new website www.sourceaquatics.com

[Namnuta]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

Quite the debate here! It's gone from rough edges and bubbles in the silicone to exploding in the middle of the night! The only way this hobby is going to grow is by people starting out with entry level equipment and progressing from there. People just starting out or those on a limited income aren't looking for perfection, they're looking for something that does the job, and I'm sure Bow Valley fills this niche just fine. Just because someone uses a Seaclone skimmer, it doesn't mean they are any less passionate about the hobby. I'm not promoting Bow Valley by any means but let's face it, you don't need a Rolls Royce to go to the grocery store if a Hyundai does the job just fine.

Well said. I was the entry level hobbyist that has had a bow valley tank for almost 6 years now, and it has served it propose well. But now i want to ditch the Hyundai, and roll in a Bentley.