Big tank owners, need your advice: glass or acrylic?

lagatbezan

lagatbezan

Active member
Hey guys, I currently have a 180g acrylic tank which has been set up for over 5 years and has accumulated scratches over the years. I will be upgrading in the near future hopefully to a 240-300g and was wondering if you guys using glass or acrylic tanks? I know glass is much heavier and fragile which is why I like acrylic but hate the fact they scratch if you look at it the wrong way lol.
So what is your tank made out of and how do you feel about it?
 
lagatbezan said:
Hey guys, I currently have a 180g acrylic tank which has been set up for over 5 years and has accumulated scratches over the years. I will be upgrading in the near future hopefully to a 240-300g and was wondering if you guys using glass or acrylic tanks? I know glass is much heavier and fragile which is why I like acrylic but hate the fact they scratch if you look at it the wrong way lol.
So what is your tank made out of and how do you feel about it?
Click to expand...

Have had many acrylic tanks since 1991, still using some that are ~20 yrs old... Current tank is 450g and am about to upgrade to 600g...I wouldn't set up a glass tank even if it was free!
You can buff out your 180g and make it like new... Something that you can't do with glass.
Why are you getting so many scratches? Is this happening while cleaning it?
 
My 2 cents:

I had an 190 G acrylic peninsula tank and while I loved the clarity of the tank and the lack of noticeable seams in the corners with "museum quality" seams, the eventual scratching drove me bananas. I started to "see" the scratches rather then the aquarium content at times if that makes sense.

So, my current tank being set-up is glass. It's a pain on how much heavier it is. But, the low iron glass is stunning. I love the rimless design without a canopy. But, it's the resistance to scratching that absolutely sold me on low iron glass.
 
Once you reach a certain tank volume acrylic is the only feasible choice, unless of course your having the tank built on site
 
Dmorty217 said:
Once you reach a certain tank volume acrylic is the only feasible choice, unless of course your having the tank built on site
Click to expand...

I agree with this statement. I have an 96x36x24 that is approx. 360 gallons. There was no way we were getting a glass tank that size in my house and down a set of stairs so I went acrylic. Gotten a couple of noticeable scratches in the year that its been up but I feel like its reasonable. I just try to be careful while cleaning it, using Mr. Clean pads and plastic scrapper.
 
albano said:
Low iron glass scratches easier than regular glass and you can't fix it!
Click to expand...

Depends on the type of low iron glass, but yes, low iron glass is usually around 6 on the Moh's hardness scale.

But, in terms of scratch resistance, maybe low iron glass < regular float glass.


BUT, low iron glass>>>acrylic in terms of scratch resistance.

:)
 
I have a 300 and a 700 gallon tank in my basement. both are glass and if I go ahead with another big tank it will be glass as well. my experience with low iron glass is that it scratches easier than my old regular glass 180 but maybe that is just me being pickier nowadays. the key to getting large tanks into your basement is proper house design.
 
I had my 4'x8'x2' tall 480 gallon display custom built over 20 years ago and it's still perfect today. Unlike glass, scratches in acrylic are easily removed. That said, it's all about how well the tank is built in terms of material quality and thickess. There is good acrylic and there is lousy acrylic. If you decide to go with an acrylic tank, don't skimp on the materials to save money. If you have it built right, it will last a lifetime. If you skimp on materials, it will deflect and or show signs of stress cracks/krazing.
 
I am with slief, acrylic gives you an option to start over with clearing scratches.
i have my 600 that is acrylic and i started of by sanding the entire tank down.
 
So, how does one keep the acrylic clean but avoid fine scratches? I've always had glass tanks, but i am contemplating going bigger and glass is just going to be too heavy.
 
ca1ore said:
So, how does one keep the acrylic clean but avoid fine scratches? I've always had glass tanks, but i am contemplating going bigger and glass is just going to be too heavy.
Click to expand...

Mighty Magnet scrubber is what I use for weekly cleaning. For coraline, I use a metal coraline scraper that is typically used for a glass tank. It works great and won't scratch the acrylic if you are careful. It also cuts through coraline like butter. Sanding the burrs off the edges with some 600 grit wet sand paper also helps to avoid scratching.

I guess this is another reason why I am glad I have an acrylic display.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2532303
 
Did acrylic on our display tank since I was scared of moving a massive glass tank into the house.

Did starphire on our frag tank, since I was tired of always being scared of scratches on the acrylic.

I think I like the starphire more, and will probably go that way on our next big tank :)
 
ca1ore said:
So, how does one keep the acrylic clean but avoid fine scratches? I've always had glass tanks, but i am contemplating going bigger and glass is just going to be too heavy.
Click to expand...

I use a Kent Marine plastic blade for the hard algae. Mr. Clean works for the rest.
 
slief said:
Mighty Magnet scrubber is what I use for weekly cleaning. For coraline, I use a metal coraline scraper that is typically used for a glass tank. It works great and won't scratch the acrylic if you are careful. It also cuts through coraline like butter. Sanding the burrs off the edges with some 600 grit wet sand paper also helps to avoid scratching.

I guess this is another reason why I am glad I have an acrylic display.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2532303
Click to expand...

the other side of the coin- http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2096730&page=43

a well built tank glass or acrylic or hybrid will give many years of viewing pleasure! but chit happens occaisionally
 
thanks for all the suggestions and opinions guys. I also use the Mr. clean magic eraser attached to my magfloat to clean my tank and it does a great job. but it seems regardless of how careful i'm small scratches are unavoidable.
I know a while ago i saw a site advertising an acrylic tanks that were harder to scratch then regular acrylic, but cant seem to find it.
so what brand/manufacture acrylic tank are you guys using? any site recommendations?

like Slief said, this is also why i'm leaning more toward another acrylic tank:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2532303[/QUOTE]
 
Last edited:
Everyone has their opinions on both sides. I dont like acrylic and my 9 ft x 30x30 tank is all glass by DSA. Well put together.
 
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