triggermen
New member
guys,
i love to have an acrylic tank but how expensive compare to glass type??
i love to have an acrylic tank but how expensive compare to glass type??
acrylic vs glass...
- Thread starter triggermen
- Start date
You have to ask yourself what you like about acrylic. I had acrylic and glass tanks. I like the easy cleanup and maintainence with glass not having to worry as much about scratches. If you are lazy like I am, and want to setup a reef tank, I suggest glass. If you like acrylic for its clarity, you should consider low iron glass. As far as cost, depends on the size. glass tank gets to be as expensive as acrylic tank once they get big if not more.
Racso
New member
I much prefer glass, but in general what it comes down to is glass is much more scratch resistant, but acrylic is much lighter and clearer, however, the clarity thing is minor in my opinion, and you can spend more and get a low iron glass that is just as clear as acrylic.
Reasons I prefer glass is that with LR, I ALWAY hit the sides when moving/adding it. with glass, scratches are rare, with acrylic, scratches are common place. Not to mention, getting coralline off glass is much easier without scratching than acrylic.
Reasons I prefer glass is that with LR, I ALWAY hit the sides when moving/adding it. with glass, scratches are rare, with acrylic, scratches are common place. Not to mention, getting coralline off glass is much easier without scratching than acrylic.
tom obrecht
Active member
glass
reef-freaky
Premium Member
I have had acrylic for years and always ended up scratching them. Since I have an older acrylic, 90g with a nasty build-up of coralline algae, I tried using a razor blade to remove the build up. That had to be the easist cleaning I have ever done. I think I scratched the tank even more but I don't really care at this point.
I have been thinking over an in-wall tank and was wondering how would I easily clean the front panel if I didn't have access from the viewing room, how hard would that be if I had an acrylic tank, suffice to say I will be purchasing glass next time around......
I have been thinking over an in-wall tank and was wondering how would I easily clean the front panel if I didn't have access from the viewing room, how hard would that be if I had an acrylic tank, suffice to say I will be purchasing glass next time around......
triggermen
New member
thks guys i agree with your input and i have been keeping fish in glass tank all the time but more concern if the tank is large ,migth blow out,u know?
Clown-N-Around
New member
I am planning a larger tank and will go with acryllic. They do make kits to remove scratches. I know it is a pain to clean off the coraline, but I sleep better at night with my 120 acryllic than I did with my 125 glass. I know too many people who have had seams fail in their glass tanks.
invincible569
New member
I had acrylic and am so happy I got glass now. Before the green tint was an isssue.. now its not.
I think that in terms of clarity,acrylic is unique and it must be the best in this sector.Its light transmission in the visible spectrum,is 92%!So,why an obsessed with clarity person should consider low iron glass?What is its value for light transmission in the visible spectrum?
HornetMech242
Premium Member
Yes you are new here. You will soon learn that giving a preference one way or another without reaons why or data to back it up is WORTHLESS.
I went glass on my 240 to avoid scratching. I also got low iron glass to help out with clarity. There are so many tanks out there made of glass that have been around for years. If you install it correctly, IE. make sure the stand is level, it will provide you years of service.
Chris
nyvp
Active member
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1044025&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
for all those that say that going acrylic solves it all ....here you go
for all those that say that going acrylic solves it all ....here you go
Um , yea
Its not unbreakable !! The acrylic did not break .Its very rare for that to happen and thats the builders quality , the bonded seam seperated .The acrylic being so durable and flexed actually saved him from disaster !! Lets see a 1/2 glass wall do that.................
If New orleans could only build acrylic walls, we wont have another Katrina !!
Its not unbreakable !! The acrylic did not break .Its very rare for that to happen and thats the builders quality , the bonded seam seperated .The acrylic being so durable and flexed actually saved him from disaster !! Lets see a 1/2 glass wall do that.................
If New orleans could only build acrylic walls, we wont have another Katrina !!
I've been using acrilic thanks for the last ten years, it's amazing how clear they are and how clean joints are, are very ligth, but it's so hard to clean coraline algae, and remove a scratch inside the thank can became a nigtmare, i'd never could take off one completely.
Now with low iron glass i think i'll give it a chance adn go for it, i'd love braceles thanks i see here, at least i would see all my corals from top.
I think all depends on the quality of the materials you use
Now with low iron glass i think i'll give it a chance adn go for it, i'd love braceles thanks i see here, at least i would see all my corals from top.
I think all depends on the quality of the materials you use
From my experience,eurobrace is very strong in acrylic tanks.I noticed some holes in eurobrace,probably for aquarium equipment reasons.These holes definitely weaken a eurobrace and they may have contributed to the damage which is being depicted there.If you think a bit about it,you can use the same equipment,without opening any holes on the eurobrace.
Racso
New member
BTW, most glass tank breakings are from being unlevel, so that is another advantage to acrylic is that it has a lot more bend. HOWEVER! Acrylic tanks should also be put level. Just make sure you tank is level!
Also, why did everyone forget the line, "You get what you pay for."? Sure I could save money by going with a company that uses cheap glass and is more about profit than customer service, thus silicone isn't very nice and tank leaks...
Also, I wonder, why was his tank leaking? the seam broke at the TOP of the tank... Odd that water was THAT high.
Also, why did everyone forget the line, "You get what you pay for."? Sure I could save money by going with a company that uses cheap glass and is more about profit than customer service, thus silicone isn't very nice and tank leaks...
Also, I wonder, why was his tank leaking? the seam broke at the TOP of the tank... Odd that water was THAT high.
Either is fine, they both have their place and their limitations. Both will last for many yrs if made well and set up properly. Really does come down to preference with the exception of size, once you get to a cetain point - you are putting too much pressure on silicone IMO.
Normal glass will most likely be cheaper until you hit right right around 200gal then it start to level out. If you are looking at a custom tank, price depends on mfr and materials.
For the example above, I'd put it square on the builder. There is no reason why a top seam should just separate like that, it was due to either bad material, bad fabrication, or a combination of the two. To imply it was due to the use of MH is ludicrous IMO. If the tank had cracked at a hole in the eurobrace - I might agree with you Henry, but the joint actually separated and there's no number of holes that could make that happen, it would crack first.
HTH,
James
Normal glass will most likely be cheaper until you hit right right around 200gal then it start to level out. If you are looking at a custom tank, price depends on mfr and materials.
For the example above, I'd put it square on the builder. There is no reason why a top seam should just separate like that, it was due to either bad material, bad fabrication, or a combination of the two. To imply it was due to the use of MH is ludicrous IMO. If the tank had cracked at a hole in the eurobrace - I might agree with you Henry, but the joint actually separated and there's no number of holes that could make that happen, it would crack first.
HTH,
James
