Yeah, that's who I'm looking at (thanks to Albano).
Large Acrylic Tanks
- Thread starter ca1ore
- Start date
Yeah, that's who I'm looking at (thanks to Albano).
lagatbezan
Active member
After my first 180g acrylic tank I promised myself I would never get another one, but just like most resolutions that didn't stick and I got myself a 300g 96*24*30H one and honestly I'm glad I went acrylic instead of glass. Having little kids in the house where toys go flying... sometimes big heavy toys LOL, its lighter weight and ease of modification was the decision maker for me.
<---my 300g pic
Like others said, key is to be extremely easy with it when you clean it and clean it frequently so there is less buildup. I use a new magic eraser pad between my mags every time I use it and go really slow. but regardless of how careful you are, scratches just magically tend to show up somehow lol.
<---my 300g pic
Like others said, key is to be extremely easy with it when you clean it and clean it frequently so there is less buildup. I use a new magic eraser pad between my mags every time I use it and go really slow. but regardless of how careful you are, scratches just magically tend to show up somehow lol.
So, one of the things I am planning on doing is to have a LOT of swimming room and not actually place any light-requiring animals within 12" of the front pane. I'll set my lights up so that the majority of it falls on the rear 24" of depth. Hoping this will dramatically reduce any algae growth on the front pane. I've got a vlamingi tang that desperately needs more space.
The magic eraser is good, but for quick clean ups I recommend getting the acrylic mesh cover for your magnets https://www.championlighting.com/home.php?cat=1685
They work great and greatly reduce the chances of sand scratches...
Another suggestion is to NEVER leave the magnet cleaner on the tank...kids and visitors love to 'help' you and will absolutely run the magnet down into the sand bed!
Simon, on my 8' 450g DT I had the rock work about a foot back and my front row of lights angled away from the front pane, and rarely had coraline algae growing there.
I make my self (1/4" Acrylic bracket) i use on my 300 Gal. 1" , i got 2 MP 40 and Max Giro 380 ,it work even 2" thick.:lolspin:
WLachnit
Active member
Large Acrylic Tanks
I see that you have already received a lot of feedback, but Here is my $0.02: I have had both a 300g 96x 24w x 30h in acrylic and I just replaced it over the past year with a starfire glass tank in the same dimensions. The reasons for switching from acrylic to glass are the usual. I was tired of the scratching. I found that to be inevitable no matter how careful I was. Although I am probably not as diligent as some here on RC. My acrylic tank had small opening openings at the top and that was frustrating because it made it hard to access the inside when needed. There were other reasons that I replaced the tank, but those were irrelevant to the glass vs acrylic. Because it is starfire, I do not notice the difference in clarity. So far I am really glad I made the switch albeit it was more expensive and I learned that glass is much less forgiving when placed on the stand. It has to be dead level and planar.
I see that you have already received a lot of feedback, but Here is my $0.02: I have had both a 300g 96x 24w x 30h in acrylic and I just replaced it over the past year with a starfire glass tank in the same dimensions. The reasons for switching from acrylic to glass are the usual. I was tired of the scratching. I found that to be inevitable no matter how careful I was. Although I am probably not as diligent as some here on RC. My acrylic tank had small opening openings at the top and that was frustrating because it made it hard to access the inside when needed. There were other reasons that I replaced the tank, but those were irrelevant to the glass vs acrylic. Because it is starfire, I do not notice the difference in clarity. So far I am really glad I made the switch albeit it was more expensive and I learned that glass is much less forgiving when placed on the stand. It has to be dead level and planar.
2wheelsonly
Member
I bought a 96x30x24 acrylic due to the weight issues with glass. I had alot of stairs, curves and odd corners to navigate and didn't want to deal with glass or worry that I was too violent moving it that I hurt the seams only to have it burst over time.
I went with truvu aquariums and have not regretted going acrylic. At first I used a tunze care magnet. One day a snail was under the fin and I didn't know it. I heard a huge scrape as I went across the front pane. There was a 20+ inch scratch dead center in the middle.
I bought one of those sanding kits from might magnets and also invested in their magnet setup. This was the best purchase I have ever made! The scratch was gone in less than 20 mins and my tank looks better than new...so clear. If I get scratches I just sand them up. I could never do this with glass.
For the first year I let coralline grow all over my back wall. I decided I wanted the pure clean black look so I used a hand scraper and scraped away thick purple crust, not a single scratch.
I honestly dont know what the fuss is all about with acrylic. If I had display tanks in an LFS that needed to be touched/cleaned every single day I could understand but I doubt i'll ever go glass again.
The ONLY thing with acrylic is you have to spend more attention scraping the bottom coralline algae where the sandbed meets the front being careful I dont get sand in front of my scraper blade. Other than that my tank looks amazing.
Do invest in a mighty magnet with mesh bags over them (sold by them) as well as the sanding kit. Never worry about scratches again.
On the bowing issue, I believe if it's properly made and braced you wont have a problem. Mine is an in wall build with a wood frame around it. If it bowed i'd notice. I don't see this happening with my tank nor am I worried about it.
WLachnit
Active member
I also agree that the 30" height. I really like the look of the taller tank and it is worth the trade off in maintenance.
chuckbuc
New member
I also just went acrylic on my new 396 gallon 84x35x31..1 inch acrylic....this is also going to be my first acrylic tank.i have decided to go with acrylic for a few reasons
#1 reason is my 5 year old 300 gallon glass had decided to leak a few months ago...
#2 I figured when I go to any aquarium,or see a big tank in a restaurant ,mall or restaurant there almost always acrylic ....
#3 I thought to myself right after my leak that I would have much rather had a scratch than leak
#1 reason is my 5 year old 300 gallon glass had decided to leak a few months ago...
#2 I figured when I go to any aquarium,or see a big tank in a restaurant ,mall or restaurant there almost always acrylic ....
#3 I thought to myself right after my leak that I would have much rather had a scratch than leak
o2manyfish
o2manyfish
I've had acrylic tanks for over 30 years. My current 400 is pushing 14 years.
Two tanks ago I had a 14+ year old 125 that was barebottom. When I sold it and drained it, the tank still looked brand new.
I replaced it with a 360 which went bad in a year. But when i setup the 360 i put sand in it. At the end of the year the tank looked horrible. It's my fault - I am lazy and careless and the sand was always getting inbetween the magnets (and I use the mesh pads).
I had the 360 replaced with a 400g 96x33x28.5 --- Yes I had a 30" tall tank and was never going that tall again. But I had the 400g built with a stainless steel frame around the top and ZERO bracing. An entirely open top.... And I love it.
I went back to barebottom. And after 14 years Slief came over a few months ago and showed me how to polish out the scratches I had acquired. I have polished 50% of the front panel at this point, but nobody can tell walking up to the tank.
My 400g was built from bad acrylic and i am now looking at replacing it. The wife and i want to go bigger.
The only reason I have been getting quotes for glass - I miss the pretty look of clean sand. I am too old, too lazy, too cranky and been a reefer for too many decades. The years of my life spent cleaning algae off viewing panes is too many- I cannot be careful, cautious or prudent.
But chances are - New tank will be acrylic. I love the idea the when I come up with my stupid ideas I can pull out a drill and put another hole in the tank where I want.
Dave B
PS - I have never had an acrylic tank change color. For my outdoor frag tanks I use glass - Just because I like to use a razor to quick algae wipe them and the coraline grows at a crazy rate in the sunlight. But my glass frag tanks after 5-6 years or razor cleaning were just as nasty looking as the acrylic tank with sand in the magnet. Except it couldnt be fixed.
And Sliefs method of polishing the tank is great for a tank filled with corals. However many times I have drained a tank down to 50% or 75% and gone inside with an electric polisher, and buffed out a front panel with livestock in the tank. All the compounds are natural and the fish don't care if some ends up in the tank. Sleif's method takes patience and fortitude and time. With an electric buffer the process can be done much faster.
Dave B
Two tanks ago I had a 14+ year old 125 that was barebottom. When I sold it and drained it, the tank still looked brand new.
I replaced it with a 360 which went bad in a year. But when i setup the 360 i put sand in it. At the end of the year the tank looked horrible. It's my fault - I am lazy and careless and the sand was always getting inbetween the magnets (and I use the mesh pads).
I had the 360 replaced with a 400g 96x33x28.5 --- Yes I had a 30" tall tank and was never going that tall again. But I had the 400g built with a stainless steel frame around the top and ZERO bracing. An entirely open top.... And I love it.
I went back to barebottom. And after 14 years Slief came over a few months ago and showed me how to polish out the scratches I had acquired. I have polished 50% of the front panel at this point, but nobody can tell walking up to the tank.
My 400g was built from bad acrylic and i am now looking at replacing it. The wife and i want to go bigger.
The only reason I have been getting quotes for glass - I miss the pretty look of clean sand. I am too old, too lazy, too cranky and been a reefer for too many decades. The years of my life spent cleaning algae off viewing panes is too many- I cannot be careful, cautious or prudent.
But chances are - New tank will be acrylic. I love the idea the when I come up with my stupid ideas I can pull out a drill and put another hole in the tank where I want.
Dave B
PS - I have never had an acrylic tank change color. For my outdoor frag tanks I use glass - Just because I like to use a razor to quick algae wipe them and the coraline grows at a crazy rate in the sunlight. But my glass frag tanks after 5-6 years or razor cleaning were just as nasty looking as the acrylic tank with sand in the magnet. Except it couldnt be fixed.
And Sliefs method of polishing the tank is great for a tank filled with corals. However many times I have drained a tank down to 50% or 75% and gone inside with an electric polisher, and buffed out a front panel with livestock in the tank. All the compounds are natural and the fish don't care if some ends up in the tank. Sleif's method takes patience and fortitude and time. With an electric buffer the process can be done much faster.
Dave B
Old thread ..... but it was mine :lol: so ok to bump it ....
I ended up going with an acrylic tank - 96x36x30. It's been setup now for almost four months and I have been extremely happy with it. Took 4 guys to move it in (plus a couple of lift carts), so that was good; but I really like how it looks, particularly the corners. Tank builder did a very nice job and the corners are all perfectly welded and bubble free. I can also get the mag cleaner right into the corner without worrying about tearing into the silicone seals. So, even 4 months in, the corners remain clean and clear. I did buy one of the big Mighty Magnet cleaners, and it has been good. Not a single scratch that I can see yet.
I did do something different with my lighting though. Since the tank is 36 inches front-to-back, I decided that I was going to leave the front 12 inches or so just as open sand. No need to light that so my lighting is setup as if the tank were only 24 inches deep and I use blanking panels on the top to prevent most of the light from falling onto the front panel. This has almost completely eliminated algae growth an makes cleaning less frequent and much easier.
No regrets on the acrylic tank so far.
I ended up going with an acrylic tank - 96x36x30. It's been setup now for almost four months and I have been extremely happy with it. Took 4 guys to move it in (plus a couple of lift carts), so that was good; but I really like how it looks, particularly the corners. Tank builder did a very nice job and the corners are all perfectly welded and bubble free. I can also get the mag cleaner right into the corner without worrying about tearing into the silicone seals. So, even 4 months in, the corners remain clean and clear. I did buy one of the big Mighty Magnet cleaners, and it has been good. Not a single scratch that I can see yet.
I did do something different with my lighting though. Since the tank is 36 inches front-to-back, I decided that I was going to leave the front 12 inches or so just as open sand. No need to light that so my lighting is setup as if the tank were only 24 inches deep and I use blanking panels on the top to prevent most of the light from falling onto the front panel. This has almost completely eliminated algae growth an makes cleaning less frequent and much easier.
No regrets on the acrylic tank so far.
Mike de Leon
New member
Bump for pics. Contemplating on acrylic as well.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Under large reef tanks, he has lots of pics
Yup, simon’s 450 has some pics. Tank’s been up over a year and I continue to be very happy with it. No scratches on the front at all; a few on one end courtesy of my magnetic nori feeder. I anticipated it might which is why I use it on an end rather than the front. Get a good magnet cleaner, and don’t leave it on the tank.
