I know a lot of you don't know me, but I'm an active member of MARSH (no razzing please). ![Wink](https://www.houstonfishbox.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
Any way, I just wanted to share with you all the great experience I just went through with Justin/CAC.
=============================================
So, rather than write a long, drug-out story on how this all went down, I'll just hit the high points, in-summary:
1. Heard about Justin/Custom Aquarium Cabinets (CAC)
---- Mostly good "stuff" and reviews
---- Some bad (can't win them all, right?)
2. Being a "go against the grain kind-of guy," I gave him a shot.
3. After going back-and-forth in PMs on HFB, and then texting back-and-forth, I got a quote... I jumped all over it.
---- I have built "many" stands in the past
--------- Justin would save me a lot of time, and he does this for a living
------------ Seemed like a no-brainer
4. Cost. This is a huge concern for many of us. Considering the hobby, and the amount of time/money I would be spending on my own custom hackjob, the price was extremely well thought-out. He saved me a bundle and the stand passes the "wifey test."![Wink](https://www.houstonfishbox.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
5. Time. It took him 3 weeks; 1 of which he had the flu. Timeline was met, though I was extremely passive about it (as I am with most of the items I deal with, in this hobby).
6. Design. "Exactly" how I wanted it, though he did add some "soft close" hinges without charging me. Outstanding!
7. Customer Service. When I texted, he replied. I have nothing negative to report here. If you do choose to use Justin in a future build you have in mind, please understand that he runs the whole show... it may take him a few minutes to get back with you... Again, not an issue with me as I was never in any hurry.
I picked it up tonight, and it looks better in person than in the pictures he was sending me (yes, he sent me pictures of the build as he completed more off his checklist). I did request it, but Justin is not a pushy person... He preferred that I contact him most of the time...
Here are some pictures of the work. All things considered, I'm extremely pleased with the overall experience.
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/70373b4b.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/99496291.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/a32239b2.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/50127239.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/548d5727.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/acab75dd.jpg)
Unfortunately, I don't have another picture of the finished "floating" canopy. It matches the stand though.
Here it is, all cleaned up and at home... I have to finish cutting the holes for the drain/return, and mount some switches, my APEX, the dosing pumps, etc... I hope to get this done this weekend... Any way...
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8499.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8501.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8500.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8502.jpg)
Here's how I mounted the canopy to the wall (pardon the horrible phone pics):
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/83ab6c9e.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/06d2e5d0.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8508.jpg)
Here it is when I was still routing the wires, and getting things all prettied-up.
If you have any questions, you can PM me or just contact Justin via his smartphone.![Wink](https://www.houstonfishbox.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
Justin, thanks again for the professionalism! My wife loves it, my kids love it, and my baby pit bull already wants to chew on it. :)
R,
Leo
![Wink](https://www.houstonfishbox.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
Any way, I just wanted to share with you all the great experience I just went through with Justin/CAC.
=============================================
So, rather than write a long, drug-out story on how this all went down, I'll just hit the high points, in-summary:
1. Heard about Justin/Custom Aquarium Cabinets (CAC)
---- Mostly good "stuff" and reviews
---- Some bad (can't win them all, right?)
2. Being a "go against the grain kind-of guy," I gave him a shot.
3. After going back-and-forth in PMs on HFB, and then texting back-and-forth, I got a quote... I jumped all over it.
---- I have built "many" stands in the past
--------- Justin would save me a lot of time, and he does this for a living
------------ Seemed like a no-brainer
4. Cost. This is a huge concern for many of us. Considering the hobby, and the amount of time/money I would be spending on my own custom hackjob, the price was extremely well thought-out. He saved me a bundle and the stand passes the "wifey test."
![Wink](https://www.houstonfishbox.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
5. Time. It took him 3 weeks; 1 of which he had the flu. Timeline was met, though I was extremely passive about it (as I am with most of the items I deal with, in this hobby).
6. Design. "Exactly" how I wanted it, though he did add some "soft close" hinges without charging me. Outstanding!
7. Customer Service. When I texted, he replied. I have nothing negative to report here. If you do choose to use Justin in a future build you have in mind, please understand that he runs the whole show... it may take him a few minutes to get back with you... Again, not an issue with me as I was never in any hurry.
I picked it up tonight, and it looks better in person than in the pictures he was sending me (yes, he sent me pictures of the build as he completed more off his checklist). I did request it, but Justin is not a pushy person... He preferred that I contact him most of the time...
Here are some pictures of the work. All things considered, I'm extremely pleased with the overall experience.
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/70373b4b.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/99496291.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/a32239b2.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/50127239.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/548d5727.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/acab75dd.jpg)
Unfortunately, I don't have another picture of the finished "floating" canopy. It matches the stand though.
Here it is, all cleaned up and at home... I have to finish cutting the holes for the drain/return, and mount some switches, my APEX, the dosing pumps, etc... I hope to get this done this weekend... Any way...
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8499.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8501.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8500.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8502.jpg)
Here's how I mounted the canopy to the wall (pardon the horrible phone pics):
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/83ab6c9e.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/06d2e5d0.jpg)
![](http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/TSDLeo/30g%20Shallow%20Reef/IMG_8508.jpg)
Here it is when I was still routing the wires, and getting things all prettied-up.
If you have any questions, you can PM me or just contact Justin via his smartphone.
![Wink](https://www.houstonfishbox.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
Justin, thanks again for the professionalism! My wife loves it, my kids love it, and my baby pit bull already wants to chew on it. :)
R,
Leo
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