WebCitz started working with this client in 2016
- Client: Custom Aquariums
- Platform: WooCommerce
- Industry: Manufacturing / Industrial, Veterinary / Animal Care
- Services: Ecommerce, Web Development, Maintenance / Support, Web Hosting, Digital Marketing
The Challenge
Custom Aquariums builds massive, high-end aquatic systems that require extreme precision. Their legacy ASP website was riddled with usability issues and lacked the logic necessary to handle the variables of custom tank manufacturing. The client needed a system that could handle billions of possible combinations while enforcing safety rules—such as glass thickness requirements based on water pressure and tensile strength—to ensure every custom order was structurally sound.
The WebCitz Solution
Since 2016, WebCitz has served as the lead architect for one of the most complex product configurators in the e-commerce space:
- The “Safety-First” Configurator: We built a custom engine that allows users to define specific height, length, and depth. The system automatically calculates glass tensile strength in the background, forcing a move to thicker glass panels if the dimensions exceed safety thresholds. It supports selections for clear, ultra-clear, and tempered glass options.
- Precision Plumbing & Hole Placement: The configurator allows for custom hole placement for siphon stoppers and overflow systems. This digital blueprinting ensures that the glass is cut and tempered correctly, reducing waste and errors.
- Integrated Sump & Furniture Systems: Beyond the tank, we built logic for fully configurable sump packages, stands, and canopies. Users can customize colors, heights, and even toggle metal interior frame reinforcements for the largest systems.
- Save & Resume Functionality: Recognizing that these are high-ticket, long-deliberation purchases, we built a “Save Configuration” feature. This allowed customers to build their dream system and return later to finalize the order, or share it with a specialist for review.
- Complex Logistics & Freight Rules: Aquariums are heavy and fragile. We built custom shipping logic within Magento (and later WooCommerce) to handle complex freight quotes, ensuring that shipping costs were calculated accurately based on the immense weight and dimensions of the final custom build.
- Strategic Platform Migration: After years of success on Magento, we successfully migrated the entire complex ecosystem over to WordPress/WooCommerce. We ensured that every piece of custom logic, the saved user configurations, and the intricate shipping rules remained intact during the transition.
The Result
The partnership with Custom Aquariums is a testament to WebCitz’s longevity and technical depth. By turning a “manual” ordering process into an automated, safety-conscious digital configurator, we helped the client scale their custom manufacturing business while providing a world-class shopping experience. We continue to support and evolve their platform today, ensuring it remains the gold standard in the custom aquarium industry.
