Acrylic vs Glass

[SurfOnH20]

I am looking to upgrade to a 100+ gallon reef ready setup. I have heard that acrylic is stronger(leaks, etc) and more dependable with larger tanks, but glass seems to easier to clean and maintain. I currently have a 30 gallon acrylic setup and overall its okay. The only thing I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t like about it seems scratches seemingly come out of nowhere and it gets frustrating. I just would like some input before I go dump a couple a thousand dollars on a setup...Thanks for any suggestions. Also, where would be a good place shop with reasonable prices.

Thanks,

Reefer in Huntington Beach

 

[Gooli]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=788887

 

[Entropy]

Anything under a 180g is fine in glass IMO. So I guess it depends on how big your + is.

 

[RobbyG]

If you hate scrathes then get glass, because no matter how super carefull you are in a few years your acrylic tank will be scratch city.

 

[drake66]

if you got the $, go with starphire but acrylic is good also i like it.

 

[Reefrookie2006]

Fish WareHouse in Westminster is the best price for LeeMar Starphire tank.

 

[d0cdave]

This topic deserves a sticky... keeps coming up every couple of weeks :O

 

[mikedege]

This is how i choose.

with kids = Glass
w/o kids = Acrylic

-good luck, Mike

 

[Entropy]

It's to bad they cannot plate the acrylic with glass. Like 1/8" or something so there would be very little weigh added, but the acrylic would be basically scatch proof.

 

[SurfOnH20]

Gooliver great link. I didn't realize this topic is so open to discussion. I guess you dont notice things until you need the answer for it. I'll start with the Fish Warehouse and see what turns up. After doing some research on RC it's looks like glass will be in the works. I'll be looking for around a 135 gallon setup..Thanks again !!!!

 

[Kenfuzed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6927175#post6927175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikedege
This is how i choose.

with kids = Glass
w/o kids = Acrylic

-good luck, Mike

Easy solution, don't keep the kids in your tank :lol:


Anyway, my vote is for glass. It weighs a ton but won't scratch. Makes cleaning worry-free.

 

[RobbyG]

Hmm not exactly, I did put a small scratch in mine when a piece of sand got wedged in the Felt of my outside bar of my magnetic cleaner. Lesson learned, always rub down that felt with your finger and feel for grit.

 

[dkreef]

anyone know what price is good for leemar 96x30x24tall w/ overflow? no starfire.

 

[Reefrookie2006]

Some one is selling 300g LeeMar tank in Zeovit site. He lives in LA

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5626

 

[dkreef]

is that price good for that system?

he is from RC also. goes by kiwada i think

 

[smhobbs]

I had a 150 gallon glass tank. Perfectly level and no stress points. One night, 6 months after setting it up, the bottom cracked for no apparent reason and, within 30 minutes, all 150 gallons were in our family room. Four months and nearly $40,000 in damages later (wood floors, limestone floors, drywall, cabinetry, livestock, etc.) and we are just about back to normal. For me, I will gladly suffer s few scratches and am replacing with acrylic.

 

[lakersfan0014]

I think what gets lost in these conversations and debates is the fact of how easy it is to repair a scratch in an acrylic tank. It really takes only 20 minutes or so to repair, and you don't even have to take out the inhabitants. Try that with a glass tank. Glass does have it's advantage in the $$ area , if you don't mind the look of a glass tank. I guess this all boils down to the personal preference, I'm a bit biased toward acrylic, but i do think that with larger tanks 150-180+, acrylic is the best option. Just my 2 cents.

 

[yoyoyoo123]

I don't think it's that easy to remove scratches from acrylic with the water still in the tank from inside, is it?

 

[lakersfan0014]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6932328#post6932328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yoyoyoo123
I don't think it's that easy to remove scratches from acrylic with the water still in the tank from inside, is it?

Sure it is. With micro-mesh you just go thru the series of sandpapers and eventually you can't even see what you're doing anymore, scratch removed. Took abot 20 min on my tank.

 

[RobbyG]

I have read a few debate's on the scratch removal issue, I have never heard it was "Easy". The stories I heard varied from Doesnt work to Possible but needs a experienced professional.