[faterikcartman]

I've been reseaching tanks via the internet and "Mitch" from Inter-American in Canada kept coming up as a guy who can build reasonably priced large tanks with Starphire glass.

I've searched this and the reef forum but most posts are several years old.

Is there current contact info or website for this outfit?

Are there other folks who make reliable Starphire tanks cheaper than Lee-Mar's are generally available from retailers?

Thanks in advance for any news, updates, and advice.

[charlie]

Mitch is still the cheapest, I have been talking to him in the last couple of months about a tank for a buddy of mine.
Check my gallery, he built my 300.\

He still has the same #

[faterikcartman]

Thanks Charlie,
Unless I missed it going through the search results -- and I may have -- do you have a number or email addy for Mitch?

Thanks again.

[charlie]

See if this works for ya.

Bow Valley Aquarium - Complete Profile

[Ninong]

Inter-American Pet Supply changed their name to Bow Valley Aquarium when they moved. They're still in Calgary but at a different address. Still the same ownership and the same manager, Mitch. His parents are the owners.

They don't really have a website. That old Inter-American website was put up by a customer in exchange for a discount on his aquarium. It was never really completed and is just information that was copied from a very old brochure. The prices, for example, are for basic, plain glass tanks with no options whatsoever and even those prices are out of date by at least six years.

There are several manufacturers who are now using Starphire glass (as well as Diamant and Optiwhite) but all of them are more expensive, some a lot more expensive.

Obviously you are very close to Lee-Mar and ordering from them would seem to make the most sense except for the issue of price. That's a personal decision that you will have to make.

My little 120-gal Starphire tank was built by Mitch. It was fine! No problems whatsoever. It was shipped exactly 30 days after I placed the order. Some people have reported problems in dealing with Mitch. Many of those people have posted about their experiences on the various boards. The majority of the complaints concerned a lack of reliable communication, miscommunication and misleading promises as to expected shipment.

I am personally aware of dozens of satisfied customers who did not have any problems at all, or none that they felt worthy of making a big deal about, in their dealings with Mitch. There are pictures on the various boards (especially Reef Central) of many really beautiful, large Starphire glass aquariums that were built by Mitch.

Every time this topic comes up, someone is going to post something negative about this builder, either based on personal experience or something they heard. Take that into consideration and make up your own mind.

Would I order a Starphire tank from Mitch again? Yes. Would I rather get it from Lee-Mar if I lived in Southern California and could afford the price? Yes. There is also a newer outfit in Texas that is building some nice Starphire custom tanks now but their prices are no cheaper than Lee-Mar's. Freight is a big added cost in large tanks and avoiding freight charges can save you a lot of money. I don't think you will find anything comparable in the U.S. that will be cheaper than Lee-Mar after you add in the shipping, assuming they are even willing to ship. A comparable tank from Mitch, including shipping, might be half the price of the same tank built in the U.S. -- especially in the larger sizes. And the custom-built tubular steel stands that he can provide are a very good value.

[faterikcartman]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply.

I've read some of the complaints and while what they've said may be true, I found the expectations completely out of line with a one-off product from a very small operation.

I found a local dealer, Octopuss Garden, here in San Diego with what seemed like very reasonable Lee-Mar prices (they are in No. San Diego Co. (Vista)). We will visit again tomorrow so they can call Lee-Mar and confirm prices.

We will probably go local if local shipping is reasonable.

I would really love if you could give me your opinions on Starphire (or one of the other two low-iron glasses) vs. a flat polished float glass tank.

Someone today, at a large fish "warehouse" store here, strongly suggested it wasn't worth it.

We're not rich, but we're certainly in the mid-six figure income bracket so while I never want to throw it away, I wouldn't have a problem spending $1,000 more if it made a noticable visual difference on a reef tank.

It appears a local Starphire exemplar is not conveniently available for examination.

Finally, any thoughts on a steel frame for a 300 gal tank? Seeing the prices of the pre-built cabinets with decent wood and finish, my wife has agreed to let me undertake construction of the stand and cabinets -- unless someone wants to offer that I may be asking for trouble.

Thanks again guys for any further advice you can float my way.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by faterikcartman

I would really love if you could give me your opinions on Starphire (or one of the other two low-iron glasses) vs. a flat polished float glass tank.

Everyone that I know who owns a Starphire tank would never even consider going with regular glass ever again! Starphire is the brand name used by PPG Industries for their ultra-clear, low iron glass. Diamant and Optiwhite are brand names used by two other manufacturers for their similar products. I haven't really seen the other brands and I haven't seen their specs, so I can't offer an opinion on them. I LOVE Starphire!

Someone today, at a large fish "warehouse" store here, strongly suggested it wasn't worth it.

Either he or she is an idiot or the store doesn't offer it -- possibly both!

Finally, any thoughts on a steel frame for a 300 gal tank? Seeing the prices of the pre-built cabinets with decent wood and finish, my wife has agreed to let me undertake construction of the stand and cabinets -- unless someone wants to offer that I may be asking for trouble.

Steel stands for large tanks (300 gallons and larger) are certainly nice but you can build a wood stand that will hold just about any size tank, including tanks in the 500-gal and larger sizes. And the stand you build yourself will be better than what they offer in any of the LFS stores.

The reason I mentioned steel stands is because if you end up ordering a tank from Mitch, he can get a steel stand built locally in Calgary for a very good price. Then all you have to do is attach some sort of nicely finished wood around it to make it look like regular furniture.

P.S. -- Whenever you see a comment online about Starphire glass being "not worth it" or "hard to tell the difference," I can guarantee you that the person offering that opinion does NOT own a Starphire tank!

[faterikcartman]

Well, they certainly didn't stock Starphire tanks there though I suppose they could order them but when I asked how much more the sales guy swooned and said "oh a fortune".

My wife also noticed that the guy was really trying to focus on getting us under $1,000 for the major parts and my wife said to me after we left that I had warned her we would be lucky to get done for under $10,000 -- and then guessed that a lot of folks who are willing to spend a lot on a top flight set up probably just pay a custom installer to set everything up for them and the local stores just don't expect that kind of customer.

If I lacked the time that might make since, but since I've got it, the idea of having someone else set it up for me would make me feel like I was just buying a couch -- and take away about 80% of the pleasure I would get from the hobby.

I'll certainly keep you updated on how things progress.

[Nep2nes PlumR]

Ninong,

You seem to have fairly extensive knowledge of companies manufacturing custom glass tanks. What have you got for someone in NC looking for a custom tank. Avoiding shipping would allow me to put more $$$ into the tank. Not scared of a road trip to pick up a tank, but Canada . I've exchanged e-mails with Will at Aquarium Obsessed and also the folks at Glass Cages. After having read some of the posts abous AO, must admit i'm not real wild about that route any more. Have seen some of Glass Cages tanks. Not the best workmanship, kinda sloppy silicone work (But they don't leak). Also looking for someone who will build with an external overflow. This seems to shorten the list. Think I'll check out Mitch but still, Canada? Would appreciate any and all input.

[Ninong]

Hi Nep2nes PlumR,



I really don't have any personal experience with any tank builder other than Mitch. I did contact Oceanic and a custom tank builder in New Jersey prior to ordering from Mitch but at that time Oceanic refused to build with Starphire and their price on a regular glass tank was more than Mitch's price (delivered) on a Starphire tank and the guy in New Jersey seemed totally uninterested in shipping a tank out of state. His prices would have been higher, too.

Obviously you are familiar with the various comments posted on the boards by other hobbyists. You will pretty much have to take everything into consideration and decide for yourself.

Good luck!