Does anyone know where I can order something like the black frame that surrounds the top of, say, a Perfecto tank, only custom sized (60"X24"X 1/2" thick glass)?
I have tried ordering such through 4 or 5 LFS, all of whom came back stating that they were unable to order such, and that I would have to go to the manufactirers. I sent an email to the manufacturers, and got the opposite response (I.E. "You would have to get pricing from a local
retailer as we do not sell direct to the public."), which is contradictory.
Anyone?
You can go with aluminium frame. It is thinner and stronger then plastic. I have half frame with 2 center braces. Ridalco on Michael str. made it. They did very nice job, you can decide on material thickness and what ever shape you want.
1551 Michael st.
613-745-9161
Other aluminium shops in ph book under Aluminium fabricators.
If you aren't happy with the response from the manufacturer, let them know, e-mail them again with the catch-22 you have been stuck with. It is a circular argument they have left you with that is a little unfair. Perhaps if you were to explain you can't get a price from a local fish store, because they are telling you it is unavailable. They could respond differently with this information and offer some actual solution.
Additionally, take the e-mail from the manufacturer to the local fish store and ask them to try again, given the company is protecting their retail outlets.
This may take a while, but if you keep at it, you could get what you're looking for.
Alternatively, you could take your dimensions to somewhere like Canus on Lisgar and ask them to fabricate something with certain features.
Quote from: Mila on February 12, 2007, 10:33:18 AM
You can go with aluminium frame. It is thinner and stronger then plastic. I have half frame with 2 center braces.
Mila, being aluminum, have you noticed any areas where it's starting to rust? That's one of my primary concerns with an aluminum frame. My uncle had an aluminum frame years ago, and despite sealing it, using galvanized aluminum, etc, he was replacing it every couple years due to rust.
Quote from: babblefish1960 on February 12, 2007, 10:37:18 AM
If you aren't happy with the response from the manufacturer, let them know, e-mail them again with the catch-22 you have been stuck with. It is a circular argument they have left you with that is a little unfair.
Did that; made no difference in their response.
Quote from: babblefish1960 on February 12, 2007, 10:37:18 AMAlternatively, you could take your dimensions to somewhere like Canus on Lisgar and ask them to fabricate something with certain features.
I need to call them as well. Would you happen to know offhand before I do as to what material(s) they use?
Thanks all.
Quote from: jgolden on February 15, 2007, 09:52:48 AM
have you noticed any areas where it's starting to rust?
galvanized aluminum
For what I know aluminum will not rust. I never heard of galvanized aluminum, I know of galvanized steel (and it will rust eventually). I have aluminum frames on some of my tanks and all is OK.
Cool. Thanks! ;) I'll have to double-check what me uncle told me; find out whether he really used aluminum then.
The old metal frames were often nickel-plated steel, very thin, but good enough, except that they could actually rust if the nickel was compromised.
There were also stainless steel ones, but they were rare.
German tanks used anodized aluminum for a long time, but aluminum, though it doesn't rust like steel by oxidizing iron, when it rusts, it makes a film on the surface that stops the rusting unless you scratch through it again. Under normal conditions this is a good thing.
What aluminum does suffer that is worse, is electrolytic conversion, this is prevalent with marine tanks and high mineral content such as african tanks. Electrolytic conversion essentially renders the aluminum to a base powder form, which is less than attractive and useless structurally.
Aluminum would never be galvanized, only steel, the surface can be exposed through galvanic reaction similar to electolytic conversion where high mineral contents such as sodium are present. These are a few reasons why the manufacturers embraced the inert value of plastic when it became possible.
Canus plastics utilize lexan, acrylic and a raft of other materials, give them a call, tell them what you want, they are very clever, but expensive.
If your tank is not going to be a saltwater, I like Mila's suggestion of the aluminum, it would be less expensive and much sturdier.
Quote from: jgolden on February 15, 2007, 09:52:48 AM
Mila, being aluminum, have you noticed any areas where it's starting to rust? That's one of my primary concerns with an aluminum frame. My uncle had an aluminum frame years ago, and despite sealing it, using galvanized aluminum, etc, he was replacing it every couple years due to rust.
I painted it first, 3 coats of Tremclad. No sign of rust or oxidization after 2 years.
aluminum can corrode but will never rust, any form of steel will rust eventually except stainless steel (stainless steel can rust if it has a lot of impurities in it, like automotive stainless steel, example: exhaust system on cars)
if it is for a salt water tank eventually you might see some corrotion on aluminum but it would take many years and shouldn't hurt the fish
as for finding a plastic frame if you can find a company that makes a tank that size then you might be able to get it but most likly it would have to be custom made and that would probably cost you big $$$
aluminum would be probably cheapest, stainless steel would be stronger it would cost a lot more cause it is harder to work with but if you decide to go to a metal worker just ask them what they might recommend