tmscube
New member
yes .. the whole stand and canopy im building from ground up .. here is some early shots of it ..
Glass or Acrylic???
- Thread starter scubasteve319
- Start date
yes .. the whole stand and canopy im building from ground up .. here is some early shots of it ..
scubasteve319
New member
Looks great! Did you do any calculations on the static load that the stand needs to withstand? I am going to build my stand also, most likely welded aluminum.
scubasteve319
New member
double thumbs up on that one!
tmscube
New member
Henchman24
Member
Glass tank compared to acrylic tank:
cost
a glass tank is normally less than half the cost of an acrylic tank & more commonly made and seen in stores.
weight
acrylic is much lighter but how often any you going to be moving a tank.
strength
acrylic is much stronger than glass. The silicone seam of a glass tank is the weakest point but as long as it is from a reputable maker & level so the seam isn't being stressed a glass tank is plenty strong enough.
scratches
acrylic scratches easier than glass. acrylic scratches can be removed but this involves draining the tank because of the chemicals used. don't want to kill your fish in the process.
fabrication
It is much easier to cut holes for bulkheads in acrylic. Only certain types of glass can be drilled. It is just best to buy a reef ready glass tank in my opinion.
clarity and insulation
acrylic tanks have a slight advantage over glass.
cost
a glass tank is normally less than half the cost of an acrylic tank & more commonly made and seen in stores.
weight
acrylic is much lighter but how often any you going to be moving a tank.
strength
acrylic is much stronger than glass. The silicone seam of a glass tank is the weakest point but as long as it is from a reputable maker & level so the seam isn't being stressed a glass tank is plenty strong enough.
scratches
acrylic scratches easier than glass. acrylic scratches can be removed but this involves draining the tank because of the chemicals used. don't want to kill your fish in the process.
fabrication
It is much easier to cut holes for bulkheads in acrylic. Only certain types of glass can be drilled. It is just best to buy a reef ready glass tank in my opinion.
clarity and insulation
acrylic tanks have a slight advantage over glass.
scubasteve319
New member
Thanks Henchman!
Scratches in acrylic CAN be sanded with water/ LS in the tank! It is not necessary to use 'chemical' buffers to do this!
I have been using acrylic tanks since late 1980s, with some acrylic tanks that are over 20 yrs old, and look like new... There is no one that could convince me to switch back to glass!
jjk_reef00
New member
+1 My 375 was purchased used and had tons of scratches.
I made the mistake of filling it before buffing it.
I've been using micro mesh to sand inside the tank and the parts I've sanded look great.
IMO glass is good for smaller tanks but once you go 300+ gallons acrylic is the way to go.
Glass, especially 'low iron' can be PERMANENTLY scratched almost as easily!
ReefingHavoc
Member
Agreed. Switched over to cleaning by hand after magnet caused some scratches. Been using a credit card to scrape the bottom 2"-3" and magic eraser for the rest. No scratches since!
H.reidi.MN
New member
Yes my used starphine 120 has a few nasty scratches that pop up on the front panel under MH lights.
Try the acrylic sleeves that go over the magnets... Been using them for about 3 yrs without problems
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=91110&cat=1144&page=1
scubasteve319
New member
I have learned so much in the last week since I joined this community. I have really just been 'lucky' with my current tank for the last three years. This next tank is going to be a great success because of all the input from all of you! Thanks a ton!
Mark...
Member
I have a autistic adult son who infrequently acts out. Acrylic gives me some extra protection, plus I was lucky and found a great deal on Craigs list on a 180 that sat for 6 years and was never setup.
No one mentioned that acrylic hold temps better, which can be good or bad depending on climate.
No one mentioned that acrylic hold temps better, which can be good or bad depending on climate.
ReefingHavoc
Member
How do the sleeves do with trapping sand particles? I was cutting thin strips of magic eraser and using with a magnet cleaner, but trapped a piece of sand and caused a scratch.
#1...try to avoid going near the sand! ... But, the sleeves are a 'mesh' so the sand will usually go in an opening and not scratch the acrylic.
The best part is that the sleeve is much more effective for coralline removal.
A few times a year I throw them in the washer with my filter socks and they come out like new
Everyone that has tried these, have thanked me for telling them... Well worth the $!
SPotter
Active member
I know what I am ordering!!!! Thanks for the info on this!!!!
slief
RC Sponsor
+1! 20 years + on my 480G acrylic display! As I said in my earlier post, scratches in acrylic can be polished out with wet sand paper while the water is in the tank contrary to what others have said.
Yep! Those sleeves are great. I've been using them as long as I can remember. Just slide them over the pads and scrub away. They work great and do an excellent job of keeping and bits of sand that get caught in the pads away from the acrylic.
