Acrylic Vs. Glass

[GreyHawk1968]

Been looking at tanks lately and am about to venture out on getting a large tank. I have never had anything over 75 before and am wondering what is better Acrylic or glass?
Looking somewhere in the 180, 240 range for my next tank.
Pros/Cons.

 

[benf]

I just went thru that 2 months ago and decided to go Acrylic, only draw back is it scratches easier, but can be removed. Even on my new acrylic tank i used my cleaning magnet and put a couple of long scratches in it cause i didnt realize their was a piece of sand in the magnet. I was able to sand the scratches out. If it were glass i would be looking at those scratches til i buy a new tank. I had it built to my specs by John at FAOIS.

 

[ReefArtist]

Just do a search on RC and you will find hundreds of threads on this subject. You will get a lot of information from your first post in the Large tank area. I think last month there was a thread started. Lots of information there. If you can't search just let me know and I can get some threads for you. Please - I'm not being rude just informative.

 

[ReefArtist]

I just did some searches and here are a few:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...crylic+Vs+Glass

Take a look at this tank and you will forget about any pros with glass:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...hreadid=1053276

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...rylic+AND+glass

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...25&pagenumber=1

 

[ReefArtist]

Hey Benf what size is yours?

 

[benf]

200gal 72x27x24

 

[ReefArtist]

nice size-I'm in the future lookig at 72Lx36Dx24H.

 

[benf]

I would have gone 30"d but didnt have the space cause you have to add ~6" to the depth for the external overflow

 

[ReefArtist]

I forgot about that Ben, I'll have to add that into my design. I was just looking at your photos - nice build. As time goes on please let us know how it goes. The main thing is would you use the material again? I'm still undecided - I've read everything I could find and it really comes down to scratches. I'm very touchy about my tanks view, I know you can get them out but I don't want to have to do it every week as a maintenance job. Weight I just look at build a good frame and that is it, same with getting it in place. Those are one time deals - scratches are not. But I LOVE the clear view - no green tint.

 

[Don Lino]

Trying to decide myself...it all comes down to the scratches, like u said reefartist. But I love the outside overflow on the acrilyc tanks. U have more room inside to play with. Glass doesnt scratch as easy but u have those two big overflows on the back...Decisions suck!

 

[mattliu]

i wish john did custom glass. maybe he does i have never asked.

a custom staphire would be ideal in my opinion. he could design the back just like his acrylic tanks, if need be with tempered glass.

only draw back i see for acrylic is coralline algae. there's no way you're gonna get that stuff off with out scratching, if you let it go.

there's actually one of his custom jobs sitting at the store now.

 

[benf]

yeah that was supposed to be mine, but had the wrong color background....its a 200gal

 

[ReefArtist]

I agree with the staphire and want to do a built-in so only the front would have to be staphire. the sides and back can be anything that is compatible with the staphire. I agree with the overflow Don Lino. Can I live with the overflows if I get a 36 inch - possibly, but I want to look at everything that is available. Visit other reefers and see what they have done and in about two years - start the build!

 

[mwwhite]

We are also contemplating acrylic.... Just read about the coraline growth and not getting it off without scratching...

Coraline is good but we don't care for it super thick...

What do you use if you don't want to let it go?

 

[benf]

Well, unless things change, I believe the reefclub meeting in April will be at my house, you can see 1st hand the Acrylic

 

[mwwhite]

That's cool Ben -- and your close to us too.

Can you post a pic in the meantime maybe? We want to make a decision this weekend.

Thanks!

 

[benf]

You can stop bye since you are so close if u want....just shoot me a pm if u want to see it and i can give u my addr.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

Thanks for the replys folks. I knew when i asked there would be a thread around here somewhere,,, i was just being lazy,,,LOL
Now I wonder how I would get coraline off the front of an acrylic tank without scratching it.

 

[Tampa Aquarium Service]

My glass tank builder builds systems with outboard overflows.

 

[ReefArtist]

That sounds interesting Tampa Aquarium Service so you have any photos of his work? We're talking larger systems like around 180+. I've seen some DIY overflows with the smaller tanks- I think it might have been around a 90g. Please some photos - I'm very interested.