Custom Made Tank Or A Mass Produced?

[Raticataticus]

Hi guys, just chasing an opinion on this.
 
There is a local business near me who custom makes tanks. They seem really good quality and they do the solid pine stands and hoods to go with them. They look really sturdy. 
 
I am tossing up between getting a tank from them or buying a mass produced thing like an Aqua One.
 
There are two tanks that they make that I am interested in buying (one or the other). 
 
One is a slightly modified 4 x 2 x 2, but it is essentially the same capacity. It is a little bit less wide and then a little bit taller. The guy I was talking to said that they make them like this because a lot of people complain that a regular 4 x 2 x 2 sticks out too far from the wall. This one retails for $1300 including the stand and hood
 
Then they do a slightly smaller tank, I can't remember what he said but it's a little smaller than a 4 x 2 x 2 -  this one is $1000 including the stand and hood. 
 
There is not a lot of price difference between these and an Aqua One of a similar size. The Aqua One's come with filtration and all of that, which is of debatable quality anyways.
 
 

I really don't want to go 2nd hand as this if my first time having a big tank and I really don't want to have to deal with any kind of cracking or leaking. I am also renting so I don't want to risk it.

 
 
Your thoughts?
 
I am wanting to keep a Super Green Texas. Which tank do you think is more suitable?

 

[Ch4rlie]

Well, of course pros and cons with both.
 
Custom made tanks tend to be more expensive to purchase but with more and more companies springing up, prices are becoming more competitive, which for us, is a good thing
 
A good benefit of custom tanks, is that it will perfectly fit to the space you want and generally are very good tanks that have good quality glass and silicone and looks good, especially rimless tanks which I am a fan of.
 
Bear in mind, with custom, you are only buying the tank and the stand included sometimes, but no filtration, heater, or light usually. So this does gives you scope to add whatever you like to this custom tank to your satisfaction and with favourite brands of tank equipment products, so this will inevitably have an impact on your wallet.
 
 
Mass produced tank can be good value and generally comes with a full set up so you do not need to buy much more, all comes in one convenient package.
 
Of course with mass produced, the quality of filter, lights and heater can be a bit on the poor side as companies want to save money wherever they can to maximise their profits. So that can be a bit of a letdown with certain brands.
 
However Aquaone is one of the better quality mass produced tank have to say, I have an Aquaone tank and have to say its a decent set up to be honest, have not changed the heater or filtration, i did change the light though and never had much of an issue with the tank.
 
A very personal choice in deciding whether to go for custom or mass made production tank.
Pros and cons with both and personally I like both but depends on where am having the tank and what am going to stock the tank with etc etc.
 
Good luck