Pics of Ninong's Starphire Glass Tank from Canada, eh!

[Ninong]

Hi Kooler ~

The Starphire glass is 12mm (1/2"), the bottom is 19mm (3/4"). I believe the warranty is 3 years from what I was told by someone in The City who ordered theirs about 6 months ago. Anyway, you can get one from Lance Blankenship at Reef Science Aquarium in Danville; however, the guy that I talked to saw one at Reef Science and then ordered his directly from Inter-American.

Lance would get a discount because he orders Starphire glass tanks for stock, but I don't know how much he might mark it up. I guess it all depends on whether he thinks you'll buy other stuff, too.

P.S. -- The warranty is 5 years.

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

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Irrational Exuberance!

[reefhead]

thats very nice, what type of lighting are you using?

[Ninong]

Hi Reefhead ~

The lighting will be suspended above the tank on adjustable steel cables (which will be concealed). At the rear will be a 48"L Phazer II fixture with 2x55w German 03/actinic PCs. Just in front of that will be an AB-Aqualine Aquastarlight Classic fixture with 2x250w 10,000K HQI double-ended lamps plus a computer controlled 25w blue incandescent moonlight in the middle. The rear 12" of the tank is "built-in"--only the front of the tank plus the front 11" of the side will be visible. Then, there is a possibility that I might also add another suspended fixture in front of those two: a Phazer IV with 4x30w T8 Coralstar actinic fluorescent tubes.

If I don't use the Phazer IV fixture, then I might hang the other two fixtures a little more forward. All three fixtures will fit over the 23"W top of the tank. I will probably end up with some sort of a canopy to conceal the light. I'll worry about that later. It shouldn't be much of a problem because I really only have to cantilever something out about 11" from the "hutch" which goes all the way to the ceiling. The "stand" is actually 52" wide but because of wood trim, there is a restriction of 45" across at one spot. This stand is actually a built-in china/buffet-hutch in a room that was originally a dining room. And since there are two of these constructions--one on either side of a 6' wide window, I guess I will need something on the other one to balance things out. [img]/ubb/online.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

The HQI fixture is coming special order from Germany and is scheduled to arrive by mid-March.

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

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Irrational Exuberance!

[SHUMALA]

Beautiful tank!! Stunning...

I think i know where my next tank's gonna come from, unless they only ship to the US.

[Schottman]

For sale 100 AGA Price: Cheap

Wanted to buy: 125 gallon Starphire glass tank like Ninongs buddy give me the works!!!

Beautiful tank Ninong. Now I got to talk my Fiance into one!!!


Schottman [img]/ubb/spineyes.gif[/img]

When I grow up I want to be just like Ninong!!!!

[hcp28]

Originally posted by Schottman:
When I grow up I want to be just like Ninong!!!!

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

Henry

P.S. when I grow up I wanna be like Ninong too!!!!

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

[Tommy]

Looks great.Now hurry and setup so we can see more pics.
Tommy

[KW]

I registered so that I could reply to this post. I have few things on my mind.

1. WOW!!! Ninong your pics do an excellent job of displaying the clarity of Starfire glass.

2. Why in the world does Oceanic not offer this glass? I know they say cost but, many reef keepers are not overly price sensitive. We lost this sensitivity years ago when we had to buy our first $600.00 piece of foaming plastic [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

3. People have reported trouble with this aquarium maker. Basically, you threatened the aquarium manufacturer before he built your tank. I wonder if the story would have been different if you had not threatened him.

This is not a personal attack on Ninong!!!! I think Ninong used all of his available resources in an effective manner to help ensure the aquisition of a nicely built tank. I just wonder if the tank is not built better than average?

4. Does Starfire glass scratch more easily than regular glass?

[This message has been edited by KW (edited 02-13-2001).]

[Ninong]

In BoldOriginally posted by KW:

I registered so that I could reply to this post. I have few things on my mind.

Hi KW, welcome to Reefland! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

1. WOW!!! Ninong your pics do an excellent job of displaying the clarity of Starfire glass.

Thanks! [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

2. Why in the world does Oceanic not offer this glass? I know they say cost but, many reef keepers are not overly price sensitive.

This is from e-mail to Oceanic:
> Does Oceanic ever use PPG's Starphire Glass for
> aquariums, and if not, why not? The guy I talked to
> told me he really likes his Starphire Glass
> tank...says it is CRYSTAL CLEAR, without any
> greenish tint at all.

This is from their response:
George,
we do not use the PPG's Starphire Glass as the
shipping cost to get it down to dallas texas would put
the tank cost way out of reach for most people. i
really dont think that there is much difference in the
look of the tank with either glass.

on the warranty question....we currently offer a five
year warranty on our tanks as long oa they are on our
stand. the AGA 90 day warranty does not effect our
product at all. the natures view product that we also
put out has a 1 year warranty. the confusion of this
may have come out when we switched from a 15 year to a
five year.

anything else i can help out with let me know.

3. People have reported trouble with this aquarium maker.

I am aware of one customer who reported "trouble" and he did not uncrate the tank or have it unloaded from the truck. He inspected part of the top of the tank and saw that the overflows were not exactly as specified and that there were "rough edges" and "excess silicone." His tank was delayed about two months beyond the promised schedule and he reported that he was "out $400" on the transaction due to shipping costs; he also reported it took some time to get a refund from the builder.

I am aware of a customer who purchased a tank "very cheap" because the first purchaser had refused it due to "rough edges and excess silicone."

I believe I am aware of one more customer whose complaints were similar.

I spoke with two hobbyists in the Bay Area who ordered Starphire tanks from this company and they were satisfied. Since I posted this latest thread, a few more satisfied customers have posted on the 6 boards that I have posted this to. Also, some members have talked to LFS that carry these tanks and have received favorable reports.

Basically, you threatened the aquarium manufacturer before he built your tank. I wonder if the story would have been different if you had not threatened him.

This may be my fault for over dramatizing the conversation. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img] I did not seriously expect to order the tank from Canada. I called mostly out of curiosity. After the builder faxed me a written proposal, I became more interested but, to be honest, had serious reservations because of the negative reports I had read.

When I called the builder back, the first thing I told him I wanted to discuss was the Scott Sweet situation. He was very familiar with the name, and we talked about what happened. I mentioned to him that I was active on four different reefkeeping bulletin boards and that was how I had found out about Scott Sweet's experience. It was at this point that he told me that he would guarantee that I would be pleased with my tank and that he would personally see to it that it was a "Cadillac" tank. He also mentioned the names of 4 or 5 different LFS that order Starphire tanks from him on a regular basis. He mentioned the name of a large pet store chain in Canada that he is building the in-store holding tanks for.

So, I think that "threatened" is too strong a word. I explained my "reservations" and he offered "assurances." Of course I think my tank received special attention. [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] It did not occur to me to discourage him from giving my order his personal attention. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

There is a 225-gal tank with a Starphire glass front that was ordered from Inter-American through an LFS in Corpus Christi, TX by one of the members of this board. It is due to arrive this week in Corpus Christi. It is part of a 3 tank order placed by that LFS. The customer has already posted to this thread and I am sure that he will post again as soon as his tank arrives.

This is not a personal attack on Ninong!!!! I think Ninong used all of his available resources in an effective manner to help ensure the aquisition of a nicely built tank. I just wonder if the tank is not built better than average?

If you check my thread on reefs.org you will see other customers who have posted that their Inter-American tanks were very well made. And we will soon know if the 225-gal tank going to the LFS in Texas is up to par.

4. Does Starfire glass scratch more easily than regular glass?

I don't know.

Again, welcome to Reefland!

Regards,

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



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Irrational Exuberance!

[fisherman]

Ninong that tank is really and really nice one.
Its very clear.

Ninong ,is the black silicone better than the white?
My friend told me that the white is better but im not sure on this !!!

I thought you will know better then me ? [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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mark
my website
http://markofish.homestead.com/no1.html

[Salty Dog]

Just wondering..........does anyone have a pic comparing a starfire glass tank with a regular??? Your tank looks GREAT Ninong!!!! I would be interested to see a side by side shot comparing the 2 glasses. Someone out there must have taken a pic of a tank before it was filled.......lets see it...........I know that starfire edges don't appear green at all but I am wondering just how much it is different looking through a whole sheet of it......not just the edge. Again........SWEET TANK, will be awesome reef!!!

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www.atlasreef.homestead.com

[johnny]

hehe I jumped on the band wagon with KW here. I've been following this post from the start and actually pulled me away from my precious Reef Central hehe. Does this company have a website? I hate talking to companies on the phone sometimes, they just always seem to have the upper hand [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I am looking to order a ~300g 72"x30"x30" for my school club.

One favor... ninong go see how easily the starphire scratches!? j/k although it would be helpful to know [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Once again, congrats on a beauty!

Nick

[Ninong]

Hi Johnny, welcome to Reefland! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

I hope it wasn't too much of a shock to you to not have to wait 5 minutes for the first page to open. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img] Boy, I wish they would hurry up and change servers at RC. [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Unfortunately, Inter-American doesn't have a website because the owner doesn't even have a personal computer. They do make a standard size tank that is 72x30x30 (280-gal), and even advertize that size in their ad in FAMA. However, I would be nervous about that size in 12mm glass. I felt more comfortable stopping at 27" high, and my tank is only 45" long. How about 72x27x27?

You can always type out everything you want to ask them and then fax it to them. That's probably a little cheaper than talking on the phone. Anyway, the phone number is: (403) 273-2843 and the fax is: (403) 248-0889.

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

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Irrational Exuberance!

[Ninong]

Originally posted by fisherman:

Ninong, is the black silicone better than the white?

As far as I know, it's just darker. [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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



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Irrational Exuberance!

[Ninong]

Originally posted by KW:

4. Does Starfire glass scratch more easily than regular glass?

I e-mailed this question to PPG Industries, and here is their response:

Starphire has the same surface hardness as regular soda-lime glass. I have never heard that it displays scratches any more or less than regular glass. Hope this helps your decision.

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 4:31 PM
To: pjkenny@ppg.com
Subject: PPG Commercial Glass


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




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Irrational Exuberance!

[Canadian]

The major company that sells aquariums here in BC (They are actually located in Victoria luckily for me!) has now gone to making about 95% of their standard aquariums using black silicone. You pretty much have to ask for clear silicone now! I've only ever owned 1 aquarium that wasn't made with black silicone and I've never been able to figure out why anyone would want clear silicone in the first place. The black stuff pretty much hides anything that grows on it, so you don't have to worry about the silicone being stained green or purple. Black silicone also looks tidier IMO.

Ninong,

By the time I had found out that you had already ordered your tank it was too late to tell you about the poor shipping practices. I figured I'd keep my mouth shut to avoid needlessly scaring you.

P.S. I've read that those Maple Leaf fish are quite polite and less aggressive than those other ones from the same continent. They also handle alcoholic environments better! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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Check out my reef at: http://www.canadianreef.cjb.net/

[IHCman]

The empty tank looks great, but is it going ot make a differance when is full of water? Does anyone have a side by side comparison with water. What kind of Warranty againt leakage does it have, or after 90 days are you SOL? I look forward to seeing it full of reef.

[Baywatch Babe]

Ninong I'm sooooo jealous! The tank is so gorgeous!!!

Is black silicone readily available?


Gia

[Bamm Bamm]

Ninong think of how much money you could save if you just gave me that tank and quit the hobby now...You haven't gone to far to quit yet...LOL...I am still really a big fan of that black background and i do agree black silicone definately looks better thats the one thign Iam missing since I put the 90 in place of my bowfront now I have clear silicone it's kinda boring for my taste..Black is definately the way to go..Dan

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Baywatch Babe:
Ninong I'm sooooo jealous! The tank is so gorgeous!!!

Thanks! [img]/ubb/embarass.gif[/img]

Is black silicone readily available?

I guess so. LeeMar in southern California uses it all the time.


N I N [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] N G

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Irrational Exuberance!