50 long tank manucacturers?

[QuarterMiler]

Besides Glass Cages, anyone else know of any other companies that make a 50 long(48x18x12)? I want the short height for ease of maintenance on my rack. I feel it would also be a nice tank for my trigs and one other Tang species.

[verbal]

Besides Glass Cages, anyone else know of any other companies that make a 50 long(48x18x12)? I want the short height for ease of maintenance on my rack. I feel it would also be a nice tank for my trigs and one other Tang species.

I don't know about the 48x18 footprint, but deep blue makes a 48x24x12 coral frag tank.

[cichfrk]

...50 long(48x18x12)?

Based from the dimension, it's more of a 45 gallon.

[QuarterMiler]

I don't know about the 48x18 footprint, but deep blue makes a 48x24x12 coral frag tank.

Thanks for the tip! I found their website, but there is very little information on there, other than a product brochure. I'll have to research a little more.

[joe_jaskot]

Ocean Gallery II in North Plainfield, NJ carries Deep Blue tanks. Link to their website: http://www.oceangalleryii.com/ Another link: http://www.oceangalleryii.com/2011/08/12/deep-blue-professional-rimless-tank-sale-8122011/

[TOMMYN3D]

PETSMART has a 50 gallon by Top FIn for $144.99 comes with glass tops and light.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3804449&lmdn=Fish+Aquariums+%26amp%3B+Bowls

[QuarterMiler]

Ocean Gallery II in North Plainfield, NJ carries Deep Blue tanks. Link to their website: http://www.oceangalleryii.com/ Another link: http://www.oceangalleryii.com/2011/08/12/deep-blue-professional-rimless-tank-sale-8122011/

It's funny you should mention that Joe. I thought of them right before I read your reply! I may take a ride tonight and see what they have.

PETSMART has a 50 gallon by Top FIn for $144.99 comes with glass tops and light.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3804449&lmdn=Fish+Aquariums+%26amp%3B+Bowls

Thanks, but I think that's a regular 50 Tommy. I'm looking for a low profile tank, 12-14" in height, but still 48" long by 18 or 24" wide. I think it would make a great tank for my trigs.

[joevc1]

What about buying a standard 55, take it to a glass place and have them cut it.
you can remove the top rim and re glue it to the new edge.
I did that for a 20 a few years ago.

[QuarterMiler]

Ocean Gallery II in North Plainfield, NJ carries Deep Blue tanks. Link to their website: http://www.oceangalleryii.com/ Another link: http://www.oceangalleryii.com/2011/08/12/deep-blue-professional-rimless-tank-sale-8122011/

I took a ride there last night. They had a 48 x 24 x 12 frag tank. But all the low profile 18 & 24" wide tanks have a built in overflow that I don't need, and no top rim. I wonder whay they wouldn't build a standard rimmed tank with the same dimensions.

What about buying a standard 55, take it to a glass place and have them cut it.
you can remove the top rim and re glue it to the new edge.
I did that for a 20 a few years ago.

I'm really looking for something with an 18" depth front to back. I already have a 33 long, which is the same as a 55, only 12" high. I'd need to modify a 75 to achieve what I'm after. But it is an option if I can find a cheap 75. Did the glass place cut it while it was still assembled?

I've been poking around the web looking at DIY'ing a custom tank also, possibly acrylic. But cost plays a big role in that.

[joevc1]

I'm really looking for something with an 18" depth front to back. I already have a 33 long, which is the same as a 55, only 12" high. I'd need to modify a 75 to achieve what I'm after. But it is an option if I can find a cheap 75. Did the glass place cut it while it was still assembled.

Sorry, forgot a 55 is 12", didn't see the 18" depth.

But to answer your question, they cut the assembled tank by running their glass cutter around all four sides. It came off very easy, then I cut the silicon with a razor blade. took it home, removed the plastic rim from the discarded top ans re-siliconed it to the shorter tank. A larger tank will have thicker glass but I think it should work.

[QuarterMiler]

Excellent, thanks Joe! Was this recent? If so, could you tell me the name of the place? It would be a worthwhile trip for me, knowing someplace that had done it before. I do have an empty 55 if all else fails. My trigs are rapidly outgrowing their current home.

An another note, I wonder if you could make an even lower profile tank out of the cut off piece by adding a bottom to it. Thanks again for the help.

[joevc1]

No, this was years ago when I lived in Brooklyn. I'd call a local place and ask before buying a tank. Tell them the thickness of the glass.
And I guess you could add a bottom panel to the other half as long as your comfortable building it.
A 90 is 48 x 18 x 24h, could they cut the 24 half way down add a bottom panel to the top half and you'd have 2 tanks.

[QuarterMiler]

Ok, well I guess I'll have to see if I can find someone local willing to do it!

[Narwhal72]

You can't cut down an assembled aquarium.

You can score the glass easily enough but...

You can't physically snap the glass if it is siliconed to the side walls.

You also can't add a bottom panel to the other half either. The side walls sit on top the bottom panel. You would need to remove the top frame in order to add the bottom panel and then stand the verticals.

You could of course buy a 75, completely disassemble it, score and snap all the panels to the right height, and then reassemble the tank. But that's a lot of work.

You could have your local shop order the tank custom made. Both Aqueon and Marineland will do that kind of special order. But it will end up costing more than a standard 75 would cost because of the additional labor.

Andy

[QuarterMiler]

Apparently it can be done according to Joe above, but I'm sure it's a special process. I've even thought about a place that has a water jet cutter. But that seems over the top a bit. I have thought about just getting a 75 like you said. If I got another top and bottom frame set, I don't see why I couldn't make another tank by just adding a bottom piece of glass. I really want the 18" width, but if all else fails, I can always just get another 33 long.

[Tony]

I have 4 of them. Saw the price on them new and ended up bugging my LFS about buying theirs used. After about 6 months, they finally gave in and sold them to me for $50 each. Old tanks with thick glass, no center brace and a bunch of scratches, but love them.

If you have the time, it's probably your best bet to be patient and try to find them used.

Wish they were more easily obtainable, but understand why they're not. Definitely a size only a serious hobbyist would appreciate.

[emartin]

Deep Blue Professional Aquariums makes that size tank, though they have the size listed as 48"x18"x14" and the gallonage listed as 45g (they have it as "45g Frag Tank").

Here's their product catalog:
http://dl-web.dropbox.com/u/1967536/downloads/pdf/dbwebcat%20062911.pdf
And their main website: http://www.deepblueprofessional.com/


Just about any LFS should be able to get that size tank in for you from DeepBlue, I don't think their minimum order is that high. I've never used any of that brands products before but one of my local LFS has got in their aquariums in the past and those tanks seemed well built...all had black silicone too I think. I'm not sure what their tank warranty is though...

I'm going to go ahead and ask my LFS how much they cost retail next time I head over there.

[QuarterMiler]

Tony, I've got emails in to two LFS to see if 50 longs can still be had, and at what cost.

Ed, I saw one of the deep blue 60g frag tanks($223 on sale)the other night. It is nice and does have black silicone, but it also has a built in overflow. I don't want to get into patching holes, especially on the bottom. I don't understand why they wouldn't build a standard tank to the same dimensions.

[emartin]

Tony, I've got emails in to two LFS to see if 50 longs can still be had, and at what cost.

Ed, I saw one of the deep blue 60g frag tanks($223 on sale)the other night. It is nice and does have black silicone, but it also has a built in overflow. I don't want to get into patching holes, especially on the bottom. I don't understand why they wouldn't build a standard tank to the same dimensions.

That company says they make 45g Frag Tanks 48"x18"x14" standard (NOT drilled). In fact, on their catalog that size tank isn't even available drilled.

[QuarterMiler]

I saw it listed in their standard tanks, but they call it a frag tank, which I assumed automatically had an overflow built in. When I visited the LFS the other night and inquired about a non drilled tank that size, he looked in the catalog and I was told they don't make them. It sounds like a phone call to Deep Blue themselves is in order to clear up the confusion!

[QuarterMiler]

I emailed a different LFS tonight and was told they indeed do make a 48x18x12 standard tank, but it is not available right now. I asked when they would be, but haven't received a reply yet. The price was $179. Seems a bit steep to me for a 45g tank.

[verbal]

I emailed a different LFS tonight and was told they indeed do make a 48x18x12 standard tank, but it is not available right now. I asked when they would be, but haven't received a reply yet. The price was $179. Seems a bit steep to me for a 45g tank.

That is just a little more than it would be from Glasscages(once it is shipped). Maybe if you are buying multiple, they can give you a break on the price.

[QuarterMiler]

Yeah, and it's funny because I was considering glass cages because they have a delivery set up for manville on the 10th. But it seems there are quite a few questionable reviews on their workmanship, so that's when I decided to look elsewhere. If all else fails, I may just order another 33 long from the LFS. My last one was only $83. Especially now that I just found one of my male Trigs with a mouthful of eggs yesterday!

[Narwhal72]

Keep in mind that for all intents and purposes they are building a 75 gallon tank. It's using the same frames, and same thickness glass as a 75. A 45 is made with much thinner glass and a smaller frame so it will be cheaper. Even though the panel costs are slightly less, the labor and frames cost the same as a 75.


PS. I work in R&D for Aqueon and know A LOT about building tanks and the costs involved.

Andy

[QuarterMiler]

Thanks Andy. I understand that they are not a mainstream size, but why doesn't anyone else normally make a tank that size? It would seem that it's really not that odd of a size, and it might become more popular if readily available. Especially to the more serious hobbiest, as Tony pointed out.

[joe_jaskot]

30, 40 and 50 breeders are not that popular amongst the average fishkeeper. They are used mostly for breeding purposes. Not many people would want a short four foot tank, when they can put a taller one in the same footprint.

[Narwhal72]

What Joe said.

Shorter tanks are popular with a select few people (serious fish breeders and coral fraggers) but the mainstream market likes their tanks taller.

Andy

[QuarterMiler]

With all of the even mildly serious hobbyists out there, I'd think there would be a pretty good demand for tanks that size. But then again, there is probably a big difference between what I consider a good demand, and what a corporate definition is!

[Tony]

With all of the even mildly serious hobbyists out there, I'd think there would be a pretty good demand for tanks that size. But then again, there is probably a big difference between what I consider a good demand, and what a corporate definition is!

I think the problem is that we are much more um..... fanatical... than the average hobbyist.

When I first got my 50 longs, the first thing that went through my mind was the logistics of stacking them 4-high, lol. Don't know too many Pet-Smarters who think the same way. :becky:

Glad you were able to find the ones you were looking for.

[QuarterMiler]

I think the problem is that we are much more um..... fanatical... than the average hobbyist.

Fanatical? Now you sound like my wife:becky:! I don't dare tell her now of my thoughts of an even bigger fish room when I have more time to devote to it!

[QuarterMiler]

Ok, I sent an email to Deep Blue to see if they could tell me exactly which low profile tanks they make, with and without overflows. Here is there response:

There are currently nine different models of Deep Blue Frag Tanks in production.
*
These items are traditional style tanks with black plastic frames on top and bottom, and can accommodate glass tops:
ADB11045*
DB 45GAL FRAG TANK BK 48X18X12
ADB11060
DB 60GAL FRAG TANK BK 48X24X12
ADB11080
DB 80GAL FRAG TANK BK 48X24X16
*
This tank is a standard non-reef tank in a sleek rimless design:
ADB13530
DB 30 RIMLESS MINI FRAG TANK 24X24X12
*
These tanks also have black plastic frames, but are Reef-Ready models, pre-drilled with overflows:
ADB18045
DB 45G RR FRAG TANK 48X18X14
ADB18060
DB 60G RR FRAG TANK 48X24X12
ADB18080
DB 80G RR FRAG TANK 48X24X16
*
These tanks are both rimless and Reef-Ready:
ADB13630
DB 30 RR RIMLESS MINI FRAG TANK 24X24X12
ADB13660*
DB 60 RR RIMLESS FRAG TANK 48X24X12
*
All measurements are L x W x H.
The items marked with an asterisk (*) are the latest additions to the assortment, and should be available in less than 30 days.
*
I hope this clarifies the situation for you.
*
Thanks for your interest in Deep Blue Professional.
*
*
DBP Customer Service
*