need help on a big decision

Need help, i am upgrading to a 90 gallon. here are my options


Oceanic tech series 90 in stainless steel

pros: like the look of the stainless steel, love the side doors on the stand. starphire front glass. four holes in the overflow, rather then 2.

cons: a little pricey (1000) . not sure how i feel about the MDF stand. the euro bracing is cool but not sure if i like the idea of loosing about 5-6 inches of my t5 bulbs.

Basic AGA/megaflow 90 on a pine stand

pros: very low price (about 500) leaves a lot of extra money for some other things for the new system

cons: construction seems very inconsistent, have seen a couple that the seams look pretty bad. the stand looks like it might be a little tight working with a sump. will definitely have to be put in from the back or top before the DT. only has 2 holes in the overflow so i will have to get one added (want to do a herbie style overflow) and i am not sure if the bottom panel is plate or tempered making it impossible.

Marineland/Perfecto on a custom built stand (not DIY, local shop)

pros: like the cornerflow. local shop said they would add the 3rd hole. kinda middle of the road in price (750ish). stand looks a lot better then standard pine. and is sturdier the MDF.

cons: doesnt look as cool as the oceanic tech tank.


there are some other tanks, stands, combinations but i think i have it narrowed down to these three

 

I'm not sure where you will loose the 6 " or so of your T'5 with the oceanic ? I ran a 180 for 20 yrs never saw any shadow or light loss with VHO's or M/H and VHO's Its the best tank you will ever find Not a fan of the perfectos and AGA and Oceanic are made in the same factory AGA took over several yrs oceanic yrs ago. Like a Pontiac Fire bird and the Chevy Camaro all came off the same line in Ohio. But I myself would go with anything but a Perfecto

 

I would not spend $1000 on a 90, but then again im a cheapskate most of the time.
personally the 3rd option sounds best if you dont wanna go the used tank route.

edit: well, from Tangsters comments the 3rd option may not be so great

 

the tech series has the really wide eurobrace around the top. i dont think it would change it a whole lot, but it has to affect it some.

yeah, i read about the whole AGA and oceanic thing. supposedly the tech and the ultimate lines are kinda the "show" quality tanks sold under oceanics name.

what dont you like about the perfecto??? just curious

 

yeah i thought about the used option and have been looking at craigs list for a couple months. i got my 55 gallon used and the scratches and dings bother me alot. i want to beat the new tank up myself

 

after a while on goggle, i have found that a lot of ppl prefer AGA over perfecto but still cant find a solid reason. it seems to me that most prefer AGA cause they have had one for years without a problem. Granted personal experience is one of the best reasons. It is my impression that All glass has been in business longer and has sold more tanks so there would be more ppl that have had one for a long time without a problem.

 

I would go with #3 sounds the best to me plus I have a marineland/perfecto tank and its been great so far

 

Perfecto does not no their own product I have been drilling tanks for yrs and I have only had Perfectos to shatter on me . I have called them to ask and yada yada and be told Oh no thats not tempered we only temper yada yada and Baam .. Two or three where My own ,
Then the there is the fact that the only tanks I have ever had to blow a seam where all Perfectos and a really old O'Dell 55gal and last April that old Oceanic it was closer to 25 yrs then it was to 20yrs old and had been moved 4 or 5 times and up here from Va.
Last perecto I brought new lasted 3 yrs I had built it into a wall on my 2nd floor , About 3:00am I went into the kitchen and splat splat I was in saltwater it ruined all the ceiling wiring several nice light fixtures and all my Low voltage accent lighting the entire area was soaked all my appliance everything then when I called about my warranty they wanted to give me Crap. I would not have one if it was given to me now.

 

ok so here is an update:

definitly not going to get a Tech stand, so if i end up getting the oceanic tech tank it will go on another stand. read a LOT of ppl complaing about how the stands wobble. didnt see anything about them failing. but wobble+fish tank isnt good

i dont like the AGA, of oceanic ultimate tanks have the one overflow offcenter. that last third ends up being a dead spot, and tough to aquascape

tangster has kinda got me freaked about perfecto ;D

anyone else have anything??

 

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