Large tank - Acrylic vs Glass (yes again....)

[dgasmd]

Like moonpod said, a personal preference really. I have done both. First a 360g (96x36x24) in acrylic and now a 750g (120x48x30) in low iron glass. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Built on site would be so much easier, but I don't know of anyone that would do that. After having both, I would say there is not a single way in the world I would ever do an acrylic tank again. Scratches are the single reason.

 

[jsweir]

Miracles does on site, but I'm sure I'd have to drop $$$ for it...

 

[rppvt]

If you build your glass tank on site you can carry it downstairs in pieces. I built a 600 gal tank in the basement of a nightclub and had no problems with the 4x6 pieces going down the stairs

 

[windsor-aquatic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7227010#post7227010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rppvt
If you build your glass tank on site you can carry it downstairs in pieces. I built a 600 gal tank in the basement of a nightclub and had no problems with the 4x6 pieces going down the stairs

It certainly opens up the opportunity to those who wish to keep a large tank in locations that are difficult to access a completed tank. Building on site accounts for about 25% of our work, and the percentage is growing each year.

 

[dgasmd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7227176#post7227176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by windsor-aquatic
Building on site accounts for about 25% of our work, and the percentage is growing each year.

I think a big difference is the distances here. It would be like you traveling to Portugal, next week Naples in Italy, followed by Paris and Siria the next few days just building tanks. People here are all over the country. However, I can guess it would be an amazingly popular choice for larger tanks. My builder was only 1.5 hours away. I would ahve paid a little extra to have it built on site if anything to see it done.

 

[jsweir]

I think I have finally decided on glass with a starphire front viewing panel. Guess the weight problem is just something you only have to deal with once....

 

[sfsuphysics]

I agree with glass, even though you've decided. Unsure how much weight is going to be a concern, I mean sure heavy is heavy, but usually the issue with moving a tank down stairs has to do with being able to physically get around corners or the like, and whether you have glass or acrylic if the dimensions are the same you'll have the same limitations. Just buy enough beer and you'll get all the help you need

Oh yah that whole scratching thing too

That made my decision on my next large tank, I had a 100g tank that is acrylic and it is so easy to scratch with the "acrylic safe" magnetic scrapper *laugh*. Not to mention with glass I can build it myself without without having to worry about acrylic joints and having to lay them flat to use weldon (plus silicone sealant is quite safer for the amateur to use than weldon ).

 

[kwl1763]

Well I can tell you from experience even without corners moving a tank that big is a monumental challenge!

I have one that size and it took 12 guys to even move it! Having said that I'll always have glass now and in the future. The havy thing is only an issue once and I'm to lazy to have to buff out scratches all the time. Been there, done, that. As far as the other acrylic advantages most are just preference. Weight and Clarity are the only real advantages and the scratch thing is a huge, huge disadvantage outweighing any and all advantages in my opinion.

 

[king4345]

I went from glass to acrylic and back to glass Glass is where I will stay. Don't care how heavy it is. I don't like having to worry constantly about scratching, hazing, and yellowing.

 

[Untamed12]

No one has discussed life span of the tank...

Does a silicon'd glass tank last as long as a bonded acrylic?

 

[jsweir]

How about using a wavebox? Should I bump the glass thickness up a notch?