So, that's nearly 75% more, or, almost double... I'll say, from my experience, that if that's the price for just the glass, it seems a little high. BUT... then again, I know it's something in limited supply. My tank is basically a tall 180.. so it's 24x30x72.. my 2 biggest panes are the front and back @ 72x30 inches (only the front is starphire, back is standard).
My tank manufacturer told me 'starphire' is only available in 1/2 inch thicknesses, and if thicker, you have to get 1" laminated glass (2 1/2 inch panes). I've also heard recently there is a source for 3/4" "Starphire" (also heard the 3/4 is "Diamante", or some other 3rd party version of "Starphire").
**** For the record, since nobody else has stated it and lots of folks get confused by this******
"Starphire", is PP&G's trade name for "Low Iron" glass... there are more than one kind of 'low iron' glass that PP&G makes, each have different clarities and other properties, as well as the same type of glass made by other glass manufacturers. However, as in most of these kinds of discussions, "Starphire" is used pretty interchangeably for all manner of "low-iron" glass, which may not be correct - some flavors of "low-iron" glass look different than others!
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OK, that being said... I paid $1k USD to have Canadian "Starphire" on 3 panes, the front and 2-sides, so I only had 1 "large" pane of glass that had to be starphire (and the bracing, too... FWIW). However the whole tank, cost me about what you're being up-charged for 2 panes of starphire over float glass.....
.. while that may be a reflection of the supply/demand (especially in the aquarium trade), may be exchange rate (USD was higher 3 years ago), or, your manufacturer may be using a different glass than mine. Perhaps my tank is no-name brand chinese made low-iron glass, and your's is coming off the line in Pittsburgh next week? I don't know. I do however, think that's high. I had to replace one of the braces on my tank (don't ask)... Got a 4"x72" piece of half-inch "low-Iron" glass from a local shop, about 35-bucks... all edges ground and polished (took 3 weeks to get the glass in, but I got it).
If you're being upcharged $1k over the standard glass price, I'd ask around, and see about other quote's for the glass..... that seems high to me.
Regardless of the pricing, I'd still go w/ starphire.
- Mac
