Acrylic tank question

[Mabyboi]

Hi guys!

I'm in the market for a new 36"x24"x20" tank, and have been getting quotes from a few sources. I'm looking for a glass tank, with the front and two sides in starphire.

I've been offered a new, never used, 36"x24"x24" euro braced acrylic tank, for half the price compared to someone like miracles, or even third party.

I've heard the good and the ugly from both sides, and I'm swaying more towards this acrylic tank due to the attractive price. It's clearer than starphire, and from what I've seen the cleaning options for acrylic have come a long way to prevent scratching the tank.

I just wanted to hear a bit more from you guys and your experiences with acrylic and starphire.


Thanks!
Andrew

 

[Indymann99]

I have been happy with my Acrylic tank (tank startup 2006).

You will get scratches even with the most careful cleaning. However scratches inside and outside can be polished out. Fine scratches inside are mostly hidden when the tank has water inside as well.

Clean Acrylic has clearer optic qualities than glass (even starphire)

The acrylic tank will be MUCH lighter (really only important in initial setup)

Proper acrylic seams are "welded" and are as strong as the rest of the material. Glass tanks (especially rimless) rely on the adhesive component of the silicone... this can be problematic.

My childhood 55g acrylic tank is still in service...(not by me) but that would make it 50yrs old.. (damn how did I get this old)

 

[snorvich]

I have been happy with my Acrylic tank (tank startup 2006).

You will get scratches even with the most careful cleaning. However scratches inside and outside can be polished out. Fine scratches inside are mostly hidden when the tank has water inside as well.

Clean Acrylic has clearer optic qualities than glass (even starphire)

The acrylic tank will be MUCH lighter (really only important in initial setup)

Proper acrylic seams are "welded" and are as strong as the rest of the material. Glass tanks (especially rimless) rely on the adhesive component of the silicone... this can be problematic.

My childhood 55g acrylic tank is still in service...(not by me) but that would make it 50yrs old.. (damn how did I get this old)

I agree. However, is this really an Advanced topic? :hmm5: It would probably get a lot more attention and more answers if it were in Reef Discussion.

 

[Mabyboi]

I agree. However, is this really an Advanced topic? :hmm5: It would probably get a lot more attention and more answers if it were in Reef Discussion.

I threw it up in reef discussion and didn't get a single response!

Figured the advanced section could help me too..

 

[albano]

My childhood 55g acrylic tank is still in service...(not by me) but that would make it 50yrs old.. (damn how did I get this old)

Wow, I can't remember even hearing of, never mind seeing an acrylic tank in the 60s!

 

[Indymann99]

Good catch... that would be 30 yrs old... :facepalm:

 

[snorvich]

Wow, I can't remember even hearing of, never mind seeing an acrylic tank in the 60s!

No, all tanks that I saw were glass back then.

 

[Mabyboi]

Eeeeeeeither way, any input on the quality/scratching?

 

[albano]

There are a bunch of current threads about acrylic tanks...

I've been using acrylic tanks since 1991, and I have no intention to go back to glass. Amongst my many tanks, I have 2 tanks that are over 20 yrs old, and they still look great.

 

[Bilk]

Both materials scratch. Acrylic will scratch more easily so it causes one to take more care. However as has been said, it, unlike glass, can also more easily be polished.

On the other hand, IMO, glass tanks just look more hi-zoot - especially if you plan to go open top. More sleek and sharper looking. < subjective I presently have an acrylic tank, but it's in-wall so only one side is publicly viewable. Glass wouldn't have changed the look.

 

[Linkblaze]

It sounds like you're already familiar with the pros and cons. I would't make a choice on a tank that size based on price alone. Overall, the price of the tank is going to be a relatively small part of the total setup cost.

I'm on the side of the glass owners. I found it was a massive headache cleaning my 150g acrylic. Be ready to get wet to scrub the thing down...I found magnets either didn't do the trick or were too worrisome around the sand. And by wet, I mean up to your shoulder, take your shirt off and drip puddles all over the floor wet. Personally, I wouldn't do it again unless I was doing a monster size tank for some ungodly reason. Like retirement or something.

 

[LittleBurger]

There are a bunch of current threads about acrylic tanks...

I've been using acrylic tanks since 1991, and I have no intention to go back to glass. Amongst my many tanks, I have 2 tanks that are over 20 yrs old, and they still look great.

so does your acrylic tank turn yellow?

 

[LittleBurger]

It sounds like you're already familiar with the pros and cons. I would't make a choice on a tank that size based on price alone. Overall, the price of the tank is going to be a relatively small part of the total setup cost.

I'm on the side of the glass owners. I found it was a massive headache cleaning my 150g acrylic. Be ready to get wet to scrub the thing down...I found magnets either didn't do the trick or were too worrisome around the sand. And by wet, I mean up to your shoulder, take your shirt off and drip puddles all over the floor wet. Personally, I wouldn't do it again unless I was doing a monster size tank for some ungodly reason. Like retirement or something.

i thought there are many acrylic scraper that wouldn't scratch the acrylic easily. So all these new techs can't help at all? So scraping the coralline algae will definitely scratch it?
Thanks

 

[albano]

so does your acrylic tank turn yellow?

Have never seen that, maybe they were referring to very old, cheap acrylic...

i thought there are many acrylic scraper that wouldn't scratch the acrylic easily. So all these new techs can't help at all? So scraping the coralline algae will definitely scratch it?
Thanks

Coralline can be removed with the proper tools... I use Kent Marine plastic scrapers, magnets with acrylic sleeves, and for tough jobs (coralline that hasn't been cleaned in a long time) I use pieces of scrap acrylic with straight edges.

 

[Mabyboi]

I'm feeling like despite the fact that acrylic might be clearer there's a lot less maintenance and fuss with a starphire tank? And right now the price difference for me to get a starphire tank that's 36x24x20 is about $200 more new than this current 36x24x24 acrylic tank I'm being offered as new not used from someone else..

Might be worth the $200 difference?

 

[albano]

As long as you realize that starphire also scratches easy, and if you leave coralline on starphire for too long, it will 'etch' and cloud the glass!... Neither of which can ever be repaired!

 

[Mabyboi]

As long as you realize that starphire also scratches easy, and if you leave coralline on starphire for too long, it will 'etch' and cloud the glass!... Neither of which can ever be repaired!

But the starphire glass would be stronger and more scratch resistant? And if properly monitored, removing coraline algae earlier would be a simpler task on non acrylic?

This is my first time venturing into a larger tank, I've never had starphire or acrylic so my apologies for all the questions.

 

[goreef170]

But the starphire glass would be stronger and more scratch resistant? And if properly monitored, removing coraline algae earlier would be a simpler task on non acrylic?

This is my first time venturing into a larger tank, I've never had starphire or acrylic so my apologies for all the questions.

I have had both. Currently have acrylic. To be honest... I definitely like my acrylic the best. There are so many more advantages to having acrylic. The only negative is IT SCRATCHES EASY. True, but if you are careful and use the right material to clean, it won't be a problem. Even if you did scratch it, there are kits that can remove scratches even when wet. My last starfire glass had a scratch on it. Nothing I could do about it. I also like the look of acrylic better...

 

[Mabyboi]

I have had both. Currently have acrylic. To be honest... I definitely like my acrylic the best. There are so many more advantages to having acrylic. The only negative is IT SCRATCHES EASY. True, but if you are careful and use the right material to clean, it won't be a problem. Even if you did scratch it, there are kits that can remove scratches even when wet. My last starfire glass had a scratch on it. Nothing I could do about it. I also like the look of acrylic better...

And how's the maintenance in terms of algae build up on the acrylic? I'm very careful when cleaning my current glass tank as it is, and I know there are acrylic specific cleaning materials and scrapers you can get, so if I remain careful it really shouldn't be a problem... And I can save myself over $250 and get myself a reef controller as well!

 

[goreef170]

And how's the maintenance in terms of algae build up on the acrylic? I'm very careful when cleaning my current glass tank as it is, and I know there are acrylic specific cleaning materials and scrapers you can get, so if I remain careful it really shouldn't be a problem... And I can save myself over $250 and get myself a reef controller as well!

For cleaning the acrylic, I recommend 3 items.
Mr clean Magic eraser ( original one only ). this will clean the film algae.

Scotts bright: Dobie pads, good at cleaning small coralline...

For tough coralline, the mighty magnets for acrylic, ( a little pricy.. ) But if you stay on top of it, you shouldn't need to buy one... But if you do, these will take care of everything...