I was in my LFS today and I was drooling over the tanks they have for sale and I saw a 75 gallon bowfront in an oak cabinet (not sure if it's real oak I didn't check my guess is no) with a hood for 410 smackers. Is that a reasonable price? And are bowfronts ok?

That is an ok price. I have a 46 gal bow tank and I love it. Bows are nice, they are different than the traditional rectangular tanks. So if you like the looks of "different" tanks bows are nice.
It doesn't distort the fish as I had heard. (this scared me when I first bought it) I thought they were going to be all distorted looking. But it is normal.

OUr tank is oak and it is real oak, so it is possible.
Our tank, hood, stand were about $300, maybe a little more, it has been a couple years ago.

Hopefully this helped you out.

Hi M - I was recently looking for a new tank so I was comparing prices as I was very insistant that I wanted bowfront! I love bowfronts! They actually amplify fish viewing! ( I suppose a plastic version might actaully distort the view.. ) That is why I wanted one! My little tanks are all bowfronts and I really enjoy see the fish so well - that said, they are also all acrylic tanks which is another dimension... and acrylic bowfront is the dream of dreams! (for me, anyway)!

Bowfront tanks do cost more becuase of the workmanship and design that go into creating such a shape to contain that weight of water. But, bowfornts can be made in both glass and acrylic - glass being the less expensive version of the already more expensive shape... However, companies that produce high grade glass aquaria make some very beautiful bowfronts that are absolutely no less spectacular in viewing than acrylic!

In pricing out bowfornts, I find that in glass or acrylic, they are usually a third more to double the price of the same size rectangular tank. Getting a combo is a good option as it is usually the best deal - combos usually include hood and lighting system (not the bulbs). Chenk to make sure whether the term combo includes the stand or not - it does not always (often), even if the tank is shown on one!

Make sure of the measurements of the bowfornt before buying or adding it to an existing stand - even if it is glass, because of the shape, you would want to make sure that all of it is sitting on a flat surface!

I found that comparing online prices to store prices gave me the best feel for how good was the deal.. on line you have to consider shipping charges and most good aquatic stores will insist on giving you a shipping quote before allowing the purchase. At stores, you don't have a shipping charge but greater mark-up to cover their over-head - so, when comparing, take the overall price at each location and take and average - then you should come up with a reasonable price.

hey maceo... i recently purchased a 72 gal bowfront tank w/ all glass aquarium lids and nothing else for $162 off ebay.

the price breakdown for a tank set up is about:

$250-300 for the stand (new)

and of course depending on what type of equipment you want it varies, but this is what i have planned.

$200-250 for coralife lunar aqualights 48" (new)
$80-90 for two emperor 400s or a little less if i decide to do penguin 350s
$150-200 for a wet/dry sump or eheim filter
$20-30 for a heater

and i haven't even taken into account for pumps and such. haha so i say if you can get it all for $400+ you're good.

i'm sure buying things used and off like craigslist and stuff are cheaper... but i haven't found any of my liking yet... so it all depends on what's available and when.

oh, and if you're not too worried about waht the tank/stand looks like, you can get a rectangular solid top stand for a 75 gal. for about $150-200 i think.

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I am going to hold off on getting a bigger tank untill I am done with my schooling and settled in a more permanant location I started thinking about how much of a pain it's going to be to move my 55 gallon when I go to grad school after next year and I decided that getting another large tank isn't such a good idea right now.