Glass or Acrylic?

[95Harley]

OK, I'm convinced...sticking with glass.

I guess I'll be converting my 240g FOWLR to a 240g Reef with DME ( or 2..LOL ) real soon.
I'll be starting a post here as I think you guys might be the best to ask about this set-up and decorations.

 

[RBU1]

Hey RBU how are you, planning on coming down for some fishing this Spring? I'll have the boat in the water come April 1.

After a lot of thinking last night I think I'll convert my 240g glass to a reef by restructuringing the LR, removing most of the current livestock, and changing out the lighting system. Once I'm done I'll move my Dragon to the 240g and plan the shutdown of the 75g. After I use it for a QT tank for the 240g while restocking.

I lost your number if you get a chance send me a PM.

 

[Amp2020]

For large and tall tanks I vote acrylic.

For short tank, might as well go with glass. Its easier to care for and not much dfference in clearity between a thin sheet of glass and acrylic. Can't remove scratches but small tanks are cheap enough to replace. I can't immagine having a 400 gallon tank and put a large scratch in the middle from letting a rock or coral hit it. So I love the scratch removing ability of acrylic.

 

[MTH]

Only thing I'd be afraid of with acrylic is bowing. I have an empty 60 gallon that is bowed out on the front and back pieces. Crazy. Figure if I need some scrap acrylic for diy I'll cut it up.

 

[KingwoodMarcia]

I have had a 325 gallon acrylic for 8 years now and it is still as clear as day 1. Just take care of it. Your right about the fish, they are the biggest scratchers. The scratches are very easy to get out. Just a little elbow grease.

If your tank bows a lot, it might have not been built right. My bows VERY little and you have to have a fine eye and look down the side on the tank to notice it.

I am in the military and I move about every 3-4 years so acrylic is very easy to move because of the weight factor. My 150 tall, which is glass, is heavier than my 325 acrylic.

Both have their +/-'s, it what ever you want to put up with the least or more. I think any tank above 300 should be acrylic, just based on weight and strenght of the tank. I would hate to have a slight crack start on a large glass tank. See this forum on that story.

Just my .02 from my own tanks.

 

[maor]

I became very confused. I'm in the works of 480 g acrylic
What are the advantages / disadvantages

 

[Lightsluvr]

"Starphire- scratches almost as easy as acrylic" I didn't know that.

That's not been my experience...

LL

 

[KingwoodMarcia]

confused how?

 

[KingwoodMarcia]

With a 480 gallon tank, there would be no way I would make that glass. But, that is me. Why, what happens if it gets scratched? The weight of the tank would be a major pain when moving. The glass would be thick, and viewing poor vs acrylic. Acrylic is stong, and less chance of some type of major ....POP....., happening on it that would give me a heart attack.

 

[nyvp]

With a 480 gallon tank, there would be no way I would make that glass. But, that is me. Why, what happens if it gets scratched? The weight of the tank would be a major pain when moving. The glass would be thick, and viewing poor vs acrylic. Acrylic is stong, and less chance of some type of major ....POP....., happening on it that would give me a heart attack.

You haven't had many glass tanks have you?

Again I have had both and would never go back to acrylic personally. I agree both have positives/negatives.

I have never gotten a scratch in any of my glass/starfire tanks in 20 years. on my last 560/g the glass was 1/2" sides 3/4 bottom do you consider that thick? acrylic is usually 2-3 times as thick as glass on most applications.

Please read these forums , there are as many acrylic tanks having problems as there are glass. they are equal when it comes to seams, bows , POPS.

It really comes down to who built the tank and stand and how you install them and a bit of grace of GOD.

My next tank 170x60x48 will be glass again.IMO much easier to work with and much cheaper to get.