i just bought a 210 with stand. in the process i was pricing tanks etc. for a brand new 135 with pine stand it was about $625. so i think the 299 for 100 with stand is a pretty good price. as far as perfecto goes, the only tank i have ever heard about problems with is the 56 column. and i think they just got a bad batch of glass or something. mine exploded in the middle of the night, and the second one was bad also, and yes there was a girl in emergency forum with the exact same tank, that she bought around the same time as me, that had a very similar problem. however perfecto took very good care of her, and of me, and i have one now that was made at a later time that is perfect.