Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

[fish_guy]

Ok, the time has come for me to upgrade my tank as my fish are getting too large for the 135 I currently have.  I have started to make rounds to the different fish stores and look for 240's, but most of the stores are saying they would have to special order (as I expected).  The tank prices are generally ranging from 1300-2000 for tank, stand, and lights.  Today, I found a 240, black stand (color I want) with canopy for $1600, which seems good for what I have seen around.  The canopy addition here, for me, made this the best deal I have seen.  I have held out for several months looking for a tank on here and craigslist that convinces me that I shouldn't buy new, but I haven't seen a tank in good condition for anything less than $1000 dollars.  So I am wondering what you guys would do if you were looking for a tank like this in Houston.  If you could answer a few of the following questions specifically in addition to providing general advice, that would be great.

1) Do you think Ocean Atlantis is a good brand?  If so, do you trust them enough for a big tank like a 240g, not just your basic 55g.  Would you pay more to have a 240g tank made by Oceanic or another national brand with a warranty longer than one year like Ocean Atlantis has?

2) Do you think I have been unlucky in my search and should hold out longer looking for used?

3) What stores do you think would have the best combination of quality and price for tanks?  Who would you buy from?

Thanks for taking the time to offer advice here.  I monitor all of the tanks on here pretty strictly, like the 300g reef tank for $1300 (I think that was right), but it has black sides, and I want all glass.  Each time something like this seems to come up.  I just want a glass 240 gallon tank, preferably black, in good condition.

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

Did you try Ultimate Fish on 2920?

[fish_guy]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

Haven't been out there in a while as I live in south Houston; do they have good tank prices usually?  What brands do they carry?  I know they have great tropheus, etc, but my fish would eat those, so I usually don't go up there for the trip, and consequently am not very familiar with the store.

[jughead]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

cheapest tanks=fishland

[ImaGuyGeek]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

Call Charles at the new Fish Ranch. www.fish-ranch.com He is planning on opening tomorrow and I know he is running specials for the opening. We bought our 240 from him and the same company he used then is who he uses now. Great price, quality and service. You can't beat that.

I will buy all of my tanks from Charles going forward.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

In my experience around here in Houston, the absolute lowest priced tanks come from Andy at Fishland.

He also has a builder who builds really nice stands for them as well, which also have a very good price.

My personal experience in large tanks, is that on any tank over 100 gallons, buy Oceanic or All Glass.

There are some really nice Perfecto tanks ,but that is just me.

Ocean Atlantis is a local builder that I never used.  I have not seen any complaints on them other than the silicone looks sloppy.

Oh welll...

[peterp63]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

I recently purchased a 210 gallon (7x2x2) in south houston off craigslist.  It's an oceanic and in really good condition.  Ended up paying $850 for tank, tops, lights, a bunch of filtration (Eheim 2028, diatom filter, UGF, 2 large HOB with biowheels, powerheads, air pumps, etc.), all interior deco, a BUNCH of other misc accessories chemicals and food, a pacu that was donated straight to the store, and a stand that I tore apart to use the wood as this tank will be built into my wall.  

I spent a long time looking on craigslist and other sites for an eight foot long tank, but finally settled for this 210.  I've recently seen a lot of these seven footers pop up if you're willing to downsize from your 240.  And a lot of times they'll come with all sorts of goodies.  May even have to help drain and take down the tank (I did!).

My point is there are a lot of people needing to get rid of these large tanks quick and a good deal is worth waiting for.  I nearly went out and bought a brand new cheap-o brand, but I'm glad I held off for my oceanic.  Try Dallas, Austin, and S.A. craiglist sites as well if you're willing to make the drive.... although you better hurry before gas prices get any higher!!

[fish_guy]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

I will definitely be looking into Ultimate, Fishland, and Charles' new store for my tank.  My family still lives out there in Rosenberg, so I am there quite a bit anyway.  Peter, I do think there are some deals on there for used tanks, and I guess I might have to downsize to a 210 if I want to save some money, but I really do want a 240.  I guess there are just a lot more 210s out there, as would be expected.   Looking on other cities craigslist is also an exercise I hadn't been doing.  Thanks for the advice everyone.  I am going to keep looking and would certainly like to hear from more people.

[txfatcat]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

Classcages.com

I have looked and looked and compared. Maybe I have not looked hard enough but have compared the prices of getting brand new tank and stand and  a used and they seem so comparable especially after tax. I have also compared prices online ..to LFS and most of the time the LFS is higher. i dont mind paying a little extra and supporting my LFS but dont a$$ rape me. The thing  about glasscages is to save the money you would have to wait for the truck to come through Houston which is once a month. You can see the delivery schedule on thier site.

I recently purchase a 110 tall that looked and seemed to be a great deal. It had the wet/dry, stand, canopy and all and was in great shape. Paid about 500 for it. After spending another 300 or so to make everything work correctly, I realized that I probably could have purchased a new unit and all new hardware for about the same  cost or close to it. I would have paid a little more but had a beautiful NEW stand and canopy and wet/dry with everyhting perfect.  after thought....

I have been looking for a 210 Tall and see a bunch of tanks here and ther and after buying used so many times, I may just buy brand new. If a LFS has one that is comparable in price then great.

[Delock]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

Call Mike at ADG....He may have something in his warehouse for that price.

[Darbex]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

Do you know the numbers for ADG and Fishland because I will soon be needing a 210 but the map doesnt work for me so I can not see the numbers.

[marauder_77868]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

I talked to your dad about the 240 this afternoon....I'll give you a call hopefully tomorrow with a good price.

[fish_guy]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

Awesome, thanks for looking into this for me Charles.  I work from 4:45PM-late at night, so hopefully I won't miss you.  Thanks for your help.

[RonR.]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

I have a 180g Oceanic.........made in 1985 so it's definitely an oldie but it works great for me.  I re-sealed her about 3 years ago.  Never a leak in her.

My next tank (someday) will be a 375-400g.  I would consider glasscages.com.  Their silicon seals are sloppy sometimes and like already stated, you have to wait til the truck comes into Houston to pick it up.

My dream tank would come from A.G.E.   They are part of or closely associated with Fish Gallery.  Here's a link to a 240g made for a saltwater reefer that will show you how they build them:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1351097

Their prices are up there, but for a 240g+ tank I would definitely want some peace of mind knowing the tank is not going to blow out on me.

I would go with the Starphire (sp?) glass which is clearer than regular glass.  I'm thinking about going this way on the front and side panes and leaving the back pane just regular glass.

I would also check out the local folks recommended here because you may find you get alot more for going locally for alot less $$$$........especially if you have to pay shipping or delivery charges for out of town tanks.

Check out the saltwater forums too.................marsh and maast.  They have some big-boy/big-girl tanks for sale sometimes.  Ask ek here as well as he has some pretty large tanks and can get you a hook-up.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Looking for Advice on Buying a 240 Gallon Tank

im not sure if alex has any 240's, but when i bought my 125 he has several 180', 210's, and I believe one or two 300's from Oceanic.  And all had a good price.  Definately worth checking out.  Plus if you are getting additional fish or accessories for the tank from him he will probably cut you a deal.