Hi folks. I’m hoping some neon here could shed a little light on their experiences with low- vs premium-cost rimless tanks. I’m interested to know whether the low-iron models from Imagitarium and Lifeguard Aquatics and Aquarium Co-op are obviously lower quality (build, optics, etc) or whether they’re approaching parity with the more well-respected brands like ADA and Ultum. Any observations from the field are greatly appreciated!! (A couple of imperfect mid-progress photos of our Aquarium Co-op 13G rimless so this doesn’t get completely lost among the other posts, hopefully!)
Posted by liesliesfromtinyeyes
2 Comments
I have had cheap 10g tanks from Walmart up to 75g Top Fin from Petsmart over the years. Currently I have two Waterbox aquariums that are high end rimless. There is a noticeable difference between the two in multiple ways. First the cheap tanks tend to have over glued seams that are intrusive and I have seen a pleco eat them and find they can break down way too easily. Color wise when you get to Starfire glass, UNS’ diamant and others….the are noticeably clearer without a tint to them generally speaking. As you go up in tank size, the glass thickens and can have a slight blue hue to it when you look through the glass and the tank is empty. With high end glass typically comes improved seams that are crisper, stronger, and less intrusive…..there is a brand that is opposite of this though.
What it needs to boil down to for most users is first budget, you can only buy what you can afford. Within affordability, I think low cost tanks with iron and the low iron tanks are decided based on what your tank is. If you are just housing fish for enjoyment, low iron all the way. You want to stick to the low iron when you are creating a tank that is a display. Reef tanks, full planted systems, stream set ups, etc. In these you want to see what is in there the best you can without distortion of the colors.
https://preview.redd.it/h4cl8jyuynog1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7de579dc1d01b650ad94ca913c269b49388efc08
I’ve had rimmed tanks, UNS tanks, and currently a lifeguard rimless tank. If I’m being honest between the lifeguard and UNS tank I don’t see much of a difference except the mitered edges. I know lifeguard makes regular glass rimless tanks, and the low iron kind. But the silicone job is clean on the lifeguard tanks, even on the standard rimless ones. I’ve had my new tank running for almost a year and have had no issues at all.
For reference [here’s my lifeguard tank](https://www.reddit.com/r/PlantedTank/comments/1laez3w/3_months_in/). I have the “regular” glass model, not the low iron one.
The best part of about the lifeguard tank is if you can find them on a good sale, they are significantly less than UNS/ADA and those premium rimless tanks. My tank is basically a clone of a UNS 90L. The same glass lid from a UNS 90L fits on my tank as well.
I have no experience with imgaitarium rimless tanks..but from reviews I’ve read they are very hit or miss with tank quality (leaks, sloppy silicone jobs).