Starphire - is it worth it?

[rdnelson]

To bolster Grouper's point. When I was doing heating and air years ago a lady kept calling in "no heat calls". Everything's the heat was working fine. Finally I dug deeper and when I showed her that it was 72 degrees on my high dollar temp meter she claimed it was wrong. She pointed to a very cheap bimetallic thermometer that read 65. I waited until she got up to get coffee and went over and bent the needle. Didn't hear from her again until summer when she stated calling "No AC" calls. LOL

 

[ichthyoid]

Nsconductor;813651 wrote: Looking for opinions on the relative value of Starphire or any other low iron content glass for the front and sides of a 120G. I'm finally starting to make some progress towards my build and am in decision making mode. After a long time out of the hobby, I've got a lot to learn and am very open to opinions. Also, what about sources for Starphire aquariums? Is this a custom build exercise? I've read some horror stories about one custom manufacturer in particular (not sure if I can mention the name here). Thanks in advance!

Like a lot of things in this hobby, it's worth it if you have already paid for it.

Many things aren't necessary, until after we have them.

 

[nsconductor]

Thanks for all of the input gang! One LFS told me that they didn't think they were worth it in their opinion, so I thought I would seek out others. I'm my case, I held off until 2 years ago getting a HD television because the other one was just fine. Now, when I go from HD in the living room to SD in my rec room, I really want another HD TV to go there.

With that being said, I think I will shop for a 120 with the front and sides low Fe glass. Now I need to try and understand the hybrid deal with the acrylic bottom and back and what possible advantage that brings, and where do you source something like that if the advantages bring enough value.

 

[reeferman]

you source that at MRC!

 

[skriz]

Nsconductor;813941 wrote: Thanks for all of the input gang! One LFS told me that they didn't think they were worth it in their opinion, so I thought I would seek out others. I'm my case, I held off until 2 years ago getting a HD television because the other one was just fine. Now, when I go from HD in the living room to SD in my rec room, I really want another HD TV to go there.

With that being said, I think I will shop for a 120 with the front and sides low Fe glass. Now I need to try and understand the hybrid deal with the acrylic bottom and back and what possible advantage that brings, and where do you source something like that if the advantages bring enough value.

If it increases your viewing pleasure, then it's worth it. If it doesn't, then it's not.

Hybrids: drilling a hybrid is a breeze; much easier and more forgiving than glass. You don't have to worry about dropping rock on the bottom of your tank..you won't crack/break it! Etc, etc.

 

[nsconductor]

reeferman;813955 wrote: you source that at MRC!

Thanks! That and a sump and an Orca Pro skimmer! Heck, I'll throw in a couple of reactors while I'm at it

It's only money!

Seriously, I'll give them a call. I'd rather buy right than buy twice.

 

[acroholic]

A PVC bottom also looks better if you want to do a bare bottom type tank, IMO.