PlanetCatfish.com

..... and I was wondering if this sounds right as I have a relative lack of experience.

The tank;

96" x 36" x 30", including cabinet and hood - £3070

On site building charge - £450

Is that about right or not?

Dave

I couldn't say, but give these guys a call and see what they say (they built my custom made tanks):
http://www.seabray.com/contactus.html

These guys list a tank your size at £1500. Cabinet adds another £500.
http://www.aquariums.ltd.uk/Aquarium%20 ... ?offset=-1

A tank that size by itself (no stand, lights or such) is $1500 at http://www.glasscages.com. The stand and canopy would add another ~$1000. And there are several other things that may adjust the price up beyond that (overflow system, etc).

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Mats

These guys list a 96"x30"x24" (aquarium only) at £619.
http://www.acaquatics.co.uk/bare_aquariums.htm
The link to aquariums.ltd is for a 96x30x30 at just over £1500, so guessing it's because yours is a 36" wide that things start to get expensive.
No harm in calling around though.
Martin

Sorry to be picky Mats

Aquariums.ltd.uk max is 96 x 30 x 30

Glasscages.com do a 96 x 36 x 25 which is probably an idea size but they do not do a cabinet or hood for this (max is 96 x 30) and I hate to think of the shipping cost to get it here.

I've rung seabray and left a message.

The reason I am looking at 36" in width is I thought it would give me a bit more time before I had to upgrade again but have I got this wrong, will 30" be enough?

The link I supplied supposedly uses 15mm glass in the tank - but it may well be that there is a fair bit of difference in price as well.

I remember finding a "online quote" tool for custom made tanks some time ago, but my google search today didn't find it.

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Mats

Martin

Their tanks look good as well but still potentially an issue with width, not sure.

You could try these guys too - the more quotes the merrier!
http://www.theaquaticroom.com/contact_us.php

Well first and foremost guys I need to ask, I was informed that a tank needed to be twice as wide as the longest fish in there, is this the case cause this is the reason I was looking at a three foot wide tank so the cats could get up to 18-20" with out issue.

If this isn't the case I may not need a custom tank just yet!

Ok, I've just spoken to Aquariums Ltd. They will do a 96x30x24 tank (in 10mm glass) with cabinet and hood for £801.20!

Considering the stock for it (a giant giraffe cat, redtail x shovel nose hybrid cat and the big plec) which are all 12" - 14" currently, how long are they going to be ok in there for?

Saw a link earlier to this place http://www.poseidons-palace.co.uk/

96 x 24 x 30 = £302
96 x 30 x 36 = £610

Might be worth checking prices and trying to haggle a bit from several people. I'm sure with the current economical situation you can knock a bit off if you pay up front.

Lloydy's advice is good.

The general rule is to have a tank that is 4L x 2L x 2L where L is the length of the fish - that's the basic minimum - if the fish is very active/fast swimmer, you need a bit larger. Smaller can be done on slow-moving, inactive fish (large plecos for example - they tend to not move much or very quickly). I'd also say that height isn't so important with larger tanks - 24-30" height is OK.

10mm glass for a 96" long tank sounds quite thin, but if they guarantee it, then I guess it's fine.

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Mats

Ok so why don't I go for 72 x 36 x 24 for my 3 guys and that will see them through to 18"-20"?

The tank made out of 10mm glass has a 3 year guarantee Mats.

Also guys time scales for my 3 to grow 6"'s?

Can't say how fast they will grow in the new tank - expect a bit of a growth spurt tho', as they get better water quality and more room to roam.

A shorter, wider tank is definitely of benefit, as it gives you good base-area. Bigger volume is of course of benefit as there is more water to take up the "dirt".

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mats

I understand about the dirt Mats, it's just to me as this is likely to end up being a large cichlid tank in the end it makes sense to keep the costs down in my mind.

Think I'm going to see what sort of cost 72x36x24 will be.

Ok, Aquariums ltd will do me a 72" x 36" x 24" tank with glass sliders and hood for £507 delivered. That sounds like a plan to me unless someone tells me it's a bad idea.

The only other alternative is to go 96" x 48" x 24", don't know the price but it will allow for the cats to grow to 24"'s.

Although going for a 48" wide will just make the price go through the roof as would imagine you woudl need at least 15mm glass.
As it is a short(ish) term solution, I'd say the 6'x3'x2' will give, as Mats says, a bigger floor space. Unless they can do the 8'x3'x2' for a bit more (though I doubt it as it would need to be 15mm glass again I suspect), then I'd suggest you go with the 6'x3'x2'.
Good luck!
Martin

Well see this is my thought. A 6x3x2 is 1000 litre basically so half of my stock is going to be moved in to a tank more an twice as big.

It's going to be better for the cats because financially it can be done almost straight away and it's better for my wallet as I started at (including filtration etc) over £4000 yesterday and ending up at less than £1000 today.

Thanks for all the help, I'll start another thread up to kepp you up to date (and pick your brains if you don't mind!) once the tank arrives.