TRUVU Aquariums

TRUVU Aquariums manufactures high-quality acrylic tanks and compatible stands at a pretty good value. Customers who have purchased from TRUVU have been pleased with the product quality. One customer, who is a mechanical engineer, closely examined the tanks upon receipt and found the solvent bonding in the seams of the acrylic sheets to be of high quality, providing a strong and leak-proof tank. The stand and canopy are made of 3/4" veneered plywood, which is much stronger and more water-resistant than the cheaper MDF materials used by some competitors. The carpentry and workmanship of the stand and canopy are described as solid. While the cherry wood stain appearance is acceptable, the customer felt an additional stain coat and maybe a coat of polyurethane would have made the stand and canopy look even better, more like "furniture." The canopy is a nice addition as it allows the customer to store and hide fish food and the aquarium light, maintaining a clean and uncluttered look. Though the canopy doesn't close flush, the customer believes this will straighten out over time. Pricing for TRUVU's products was found to be a bit below that of their competitors for comparable tanks and stands. The shipping process was also praised, with the tank and stand arriving on the promised date, securely packaged on a pallet with protective foam and wrap, and without any damage. The customer particularly likes the polycarbonate top plates provided by TRUVU, which can be easily removed for aquarium setup and water changes. As this was the customer's first experience with an acrylic tank, they provided some insights on the pros and cons of acrylic compared to glass tanks. On the pro side, acrylic tanks offer superior visibility, as the material is more transparent than tempered glass. Acrylic tanks also have stronger, chemically bonded seams that make them more leak-resistant and shatter-resistant, which is especially important when the tank is placed on new hardwood floors. Acrylic tanks are also significantly lighter, making them easier to transport and set up. The main downside of acrylic tanks is the higher cost, typically around 3 times that of a comparable glass tank. This is due to the complex manufacturing process and expensive raw materials required for cast acrylic sheets. Another potential con is that the trussed reinforcements on top of the tank can make it a bit more difficult to scrape off algae during water changes, though the customer acknowledges that these reinforcements are a necessary part of the acrylic tank design. Overall, the customer is very pleased with their purchase from TRUVU Aquariums, praising the high-quality construction, good value, and unique benefits of acrylic tanks. They would recommend TRUVU to others in the market for a new aquarium setup.