Here are a few pics I took of my new Starphire Glass tank from Inter-American Pet Supply in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Phone: 403-272-4960 Fax: 403-569-0667



This is the 420-lb crate they thought 2 guys could unload. [img]/ubb/eek3.gif[/img]


Here is a shot through 2 panes of glass; I left the maple leaf sticker on to prove there was actually glass there. Note the black indicoat mirror back which I really like. The white under the bottom is just a piece of styrofoam for cushioning between the tank and the wooden pallet. There is a form-fitted piece of the good dense styrofarm that is siliconed to the bottom of the tank. The bottom is 19mm LOF float glass. Three sides are 12mm Starphire glass.


View through two panes of glass lengthwise. The 6.5"x10" corner overflow if made of 12mm AFG Industries Greylite tinted glass.


The tank has 12mm Starphire glass perimeter bracing all around the top (1.5" on each end, 1" across the front, and .5" across the back).


Full view of tank (one of the few that came out without the sun ruining the shot), note how the black silicone gives the impression of a picture frame. If you look very closely at the left edge you can see that the front vertical edges were ground and polished. Tank is 120 U.S. gallons, dimensions 45"Lx23"Wx27.5"H. Cost: US$550 + $320 shpg.


View of Starphire glass center brace to demonstrate that there is no greenish tint even on the edges.


Another view through the Starphire glass and a closeup of the black indicoat mirror back to demonstrate how it has a nice subdued mirror effect. This was achieved by sandwiching a 3/16" pane of Greylite between the 12mm LOF back glass and the 3/16" Black Indicoat Mirror.

P.S. Added 7/20/03:
Another observation: I was really sold on the black indicoat mirror backing on my tank. Looking at it when the tank first came in I thought it was spectacular. But now that the water and live rocks are in the tank I don't care for it nearly as much as I thought I would. The front of the overflow compartment, for instance, where I inserted a sheet of black acrylic and even the sides of the tank at the rear that I painted with black enamel are "blacker" than the black indicoat mirror.

The lights cause the black indicoat mirror to appear a lot more mirror and a lot less black. All of the rockwork is clearly reflected in the black indicoat mirror which looks like a smokey mirror with the tank running. So that's something that I have completely changed my opinion on. My preference now would be for either a thin sheet of black acrylic behind the back glass wall of the tank or even black enamel paint. I can't tell any difference in my tank between the black acrylic backed section of the overflow and the black painted sections, but the black indicoat mirror is definitely different and not what it appeared to be in the empty tank. Pictures of Ninong's tank in progress.


N I N O N G

Let me be the first to say it: Nice!

Your hamster is really going to love it in there!

[This message has been edited by wgscott (edited 02-12-2001).]

very very nice....is that a maple leaf fish?

SWEET!

Ok hurry up and put stuff in it! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] Looking at it, I know it was worth the wait and the trouble.

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Jim - GO HOGS GO!
Visit my NEW Reef Page -
http://razorbackfan.topcities.com

Ninong,

WOW!

That is going to make a beautiful reef tank.

From the pictures, looks like a 4.0 manuf. job also.

Cheers & Regards,

Scott


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The definition of an expert is a washed-up drip under pressure.
You can see my reeftank at http://www.homestead.com/spasse/

Nice looking tank. It looks like your going to be busy for awhile. When is the water going in?

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Jeff

http://www.homestead.com/jeffsreef/index1.html

Ninong congrats It looks great!!!! I want one now.. I really like the perimeter bracing and such its pretty sweet...Plus I like the starfire glass(duh) But I really like that mirorred black back ground..Dan

Thats a very nice tank, eh. [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
Andrew

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I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart. e.e.cummings

stop posting and start setting that beast up..... or we may start flogging you with our burnt out rio pumps...lol.


Nice Tank Ninong...... [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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Why do hobbies cost so much?

wow great tank! Looks like you really got your money worth. Now go set that thing up, looks like that maple leaf fish is going to have to go I think they get too aggressive for reef tanks [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Henry

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Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall down an open manhole and die.
-Mel Brooks

Great looking tank!

Update your profile!

They get a C- on the crating job.

Ninong,
I wish I would have never asked for pics!!!I just bought a new 75 gallon, and I want to send it back!!! I need a Starphire glass tank!!! It looks awesome!!

~~~Hook

George, the tank looks great! You are going to have one beautiful reef! Mine should be here some time this week.

Scott

Absolutely stunning, Ninong! That is really, really fine. The workmanship and design look incredible. So happy for you. Tell us, please, what you have in the works for a stand and/or canopy? This is gonna be one kick-butt reef.....



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Skipper's Reef

That Starfire glass is incredibly clear......WOW!



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Skipper's Reef

Calgary Classied Help wanted Ads:

Aquarium manufacturer- to start immediately full time. No experience needed, will train. [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Just kidding.

Ninong looks like it was well worth the wait. Sweet

Brien



[This message has been edited by Brien (edited 02-12-2001).]

Any idea what they would charge for a six foot tank? Like a 150 or 180 gal.

Marty

Marty ~

I can tell you the quote that Ltspd got yesterday on a tank with all of the options mine has, except two corner overflows because it would be 168-gallons, 60"Lx24"Wx27"H. The quote was $670 complete + $285 guaranteed shipping cost because they would prepay it on their end = $955 total delivered to North Carolina. And remember, no sales tax either. That's 12mm Starphire glass on three sides, 19mm LOF float glass on the bottom, 12mm LOF float glass for the back plus the Black Indicoat Mirror option, Starphire perimeter glass all around the top plus the center brace, Greylite tinted glass for the two corner overflows, 6 drilled holes with bulkhead fittings, ground & polished front edges, plus a piece of styrofoam stuck to the bottom.

A 6-ft long tank might be a little bit more but one good thing to remember is that he will make the tank 24"H or 27"H for the same price. So, 72"Lx24"Wx27"H = 200-gallons for the same price as 180-gallons.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

Very impressive tank Ninong! Beautiful tank! What is the warranty on this tank and I live here in the bay area, do you know of any LFS that might order this for me? I know you use to live here for like 20 yrs. or so. I'm thinking about the 200 gallons since it's going to be the same price as the 180. How thick is it? Half or three quarters? Thanks.