Starfire / low iron glass: worth it?

[RD.]

Lots of threads about glasscages over the years, most good I think, some I read were not so good. Here's one from last year.
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/glasscages-com-too-good-to-be-true.677954/

 

[Chicxulub]

Yeah it seems like there were issues in the past, but most of the more recent reviews are all positive. I'm not worried about sloppy silicon tbh.

There's a local guy that quoted me $5700 for the same tank that's on glasscages for 3800, but I'm not sure how shipping will factor in yet.... Or if this half baked scheme will even work out.

Either way, it looks like this may be feasible.

 

[Justin David]

An idea that just came to me- perhaps ypu can request the front panel to be low iron.

 

[nzafi]

I think it's customaquariums.com that has gotten good reviews on this site and specializes in glass tanks. Plus they in shipping and are full customizeable.

When I did my shower which was like 8t x 8w x 5d I used low iron. The glass gets a greenish tint and it gets worse as the glass gets thicker. In a bright room you will be able to tell. It's similar to the pic early in the thread. If you're planning on painting the sides and back id just do starfire on the front. Not sure on the size tank but my 180g is 1/2in glass and it's pretty damn clear in all honesty. Maybe see if you can find a glass shop just so you can visually see what the difference is.

 

[Chicxulub]

An idea that just came to me- perhaps ypu can request the front panel to be low iron.

That premium in cost was just the front panel! That's the scary part lol

I think it's customaquariums.com that has gotten good reviews on this site and specializes in glass tanks. Plus they in shipping and are full customizeable.

When I did my shower which was like 8t x 8w x 5d I used low iron. The glass gets a greenish tint and it gets worse as the glass gets thicker. In a bright room you will be able to tell. It's similar to the pic early in the thread. If you're planning on painting the sides and back id just do starfire on the front. Not sure on the size tank but my 180g is 1/2in glass and it's pretty damn clear in all honesty. Maybe see if you can find a glass shop just so you can visually see what the difference is.

Finding the glass shop is a good idea. I'm going to look into that.

The tank, if I can get it, will be 3/4" glass. It'd also go into my prospective man cave, which won't be particularly brightly illuminated. The tank itself would have fairly bright lights, so it'd have the effect of being backlit from the inside.

I'm also waiting on a quote from Suncoast Acrylic, who is my top choice anyway. The Starfire discussion may become moot when I hear from them lol

 

[nzafi]

Check out fishtanksdirect. Their acrylic tanks aren't much more than customaquariums and they include shipping. Several members have spoken highly of them.

 

[Lepisosteus]

Thanks for the info guys. You all likely just saved me a couple thousand dollars lol.

I couldn't imagine that it would make that much of a difference, especially since this plan I'm beginning to work on only involves the front panel being visible anyway. The other three would be blacked out and the bottom would have sand.

Has anyone used glasscages?

For sure don't go with starfire. On one panel visible you won't even see the slight contrast compared to regular plate.

 

[DN328]

How big of a tank are you planning to get?

I have a peninsula style and I opted for starphire on three sides. I'd say it doesnt make a big difference, but I defintely didn't spend a thousand more for it either. It is on 12mm glass. I do like that it doesn't have the green tint.

I figured it was a rimless tank and didnt want to regret not doing it. I'd do it again, but that's just me.

 

[Chicxulub]

How big of a tank are you planning to get?

I have a peninsula style and I opted for starphire on three sides. I'd say it doesnt make a big difference, but I defintely didn't spend a thousand more for it either. It is on 12mm glass. I do like that it doesn't have the green tint.

I figured it was a rimless tank and didnt want to regret not doing it. I'd do it again, but that's just me.

I'm looking at a 10-11x3ish footprint for my man cave in a new house that I hope to build next spring.

I've got a few good quotes from one of the acrylic companies that builds for FTD with good reviews that is sort of local to me, and I'm strongly considering them instead of glass.

 

[shookONES]

Once you see a low-iron glass or clear acrylic tank in the flesh, you'll never go back to green glass again.

 

[johnny potatoes]

Once you see a low-iron glass or clear acrylic tank in the flesh, you'll never go back to green glass again.

I agree, I've seen them side by side and there is a big difference. This is what I noticed most. Looking at the edge of the starfire glass through 18" of glass I was able to read the label on a tank sitting behind this one. When you look at the edge of regular glass all you see is green. Of course it won't be as noticeable in 3/4" , but you should try and compare the two side by side. Does it justify the extra expense? Depends on the person and the budget, but if it was me and a tank that size ( your masterpiece tank) I would do it. Unless you plan on getting a bigger/ better tank down the road. Compare the two side by side and that will help "clarify" the situation.