Just finished this tread and read it from beginning to end.
I want to start out with the acrylic vs. glass debate, I don't really care as long as it doesn't leak! Both materials have their merits. I'm sure most will agree with that
IMO any kind of glass is superior to acrylic in regards to resistance to scratching. If chips are apparent in your glass tank then it seems it is a manufacturing or material defect and the tank manufacturer should replace the tank (hopefully).
Acrylic, though more transparent, easier to move drill and work with generally, you always have to worry about scratching. Most acrylic tanks I have first hand experience after time develop more scratches (this is not a statement of science or law I know of).
I have always had scratches at some point made to my glass aquariums (darn substrate) but they have always been barely noticeable. I have seen a 'Starfire' tank side by side with another glass tank and the difference was staggering. The ‘Starfire’ tank looked like acrylic. That is why I bought a 225 with Starfire.
I am going to do what I have always done when cleaning my glass tanks...use a cleaner pad or magnet for acrylic. It takes a little more elbow grease but I yet have caused me problems.
Another thing I will add is I did have an Oceanic tank that was a cheaper version of their regular tanks called oceans view or something like that (appeared after AGA bought them). That tank scratched like crazy...they no longer make that version anymore, wonder why? This leads me to think that there are probably different quality levels of low lead glass out there, so some may scratch easier than regular glass or other low lead glass brands. A blanket statement about any type of glass or for that matter acrylic may not apply to all of the type of material you may be investigating.
This all is based from my perception…which is naturally my reality, fact or not.
I want to start out with the acrylic vs. glass debate, I don't really care as long as it doesn't leak! Both materials have their merits. I'm sure most will agree with that
IMO any kind of glass is superior to acrylic in regards to resistance to scratching. If chips are apparent in your glass tank then it seems it is a manufacturing or material defect and the tank manufacturer should replace the tank (hopefully).
Acrylic, though more transparent, easier to move drill and work with generally, you always have to worry about scratching. Most acrylic tanks I have first hand experience after time develop more scratches (this is not a statement of science or law I know of).
I have always had scratches at some point made to my glass aquariums (darn substrate) but they have always been barely noticeable. I have seen a 'Starfire' tank side by side with another glass tank and the difference was staggering. The ‘Starfire’ tank looked like acrylic. That is why I bought a 225 with Starfire.
I am going to do what I have always done when cleaning my glass tanks...use a cleaner pad or magnet for acrylic. It takes a little more elbow grease but I yet have caused me problems.
Another thing I will add is I did have an Oceanic tank that was a cheaper version of their regular tanks called oceans view or something like that (appeared after AGA bought them). That tank scratched like crazy...they no longer make that version anymore, wonder why? This leads me to think that there are probably different quality levels of low lead glass out there, so some may scratch easier than regular glass or other low lead glass brands. A blanket statement about any type of glass or for that matter acrylic may not apply to all of the type of material you may be investigating.
This all is based from my perception…which is naturally my reality, fact or not.
