Should i start the 240 acrylic or just sell it and go with glass?

M

Motohead

Member
Need your opinions. i have a 240gal acrylic 96x24x24 RR setup i am about to switch over to a Reef from FW, but am kinda Leary with it being acrylic. should i go for it or just sell it and go with a glass 210-265 RR ?

what would you do?

my worries are the acrylic bowing/warping due to high heat MH's and the coraline destroying it

your thoughts?

thanks in advance
 
Well only issue with acrylic is scratching which will always bother you no matter what you do. my 3 cents after 4 acrylic tanks~
 
Depends on the thickness of the acrylic whether the heat from lighting is an issue. Based on that size I would rec. at least 3/4" thickness before running halides (minimum).
 
I think its 5/8" hmm well maybe ill just make it into a FOWLR and just buy a 180 glass for Reef. i hate to sell it for a smaller glass tank.


thanks for your replies
 
I have a 270 gallon acrylic. 72x24x36 built with 1" cell cast. The tank has been set up 6 years now. No bowing or any problems. The tank has 2000 watts of lights. 3 x 400 MH and 8 x 96 watt P.C. As for scratching I dont encounter that many problems. I use a Magnivor 10 with acrylicar pads, and wrapp the outside magnet with a micro fiber towel. Once a month after normal cleaning I wrapp the in side magnet with (http://www.etr-inc.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=101) sorry this is the link to web sit, it is 6000 grit sand paper. It does not realy need this much work but it keeps the tank slick and coraline has a hard time sticking or else I have to grab the old Kent pro scraper and lots of elbo greas. By the way two people can move the tank, very convient.
 
If you've had this tank filled with water before, then you already know how it behaves in terms of bowing. I don't think the fact that it is a reef tank has any bearing on acrylic bowing....that's just a water weight issue.

The only concern I am aware of related to MH is if you position a lamp directly above a cross brace. That can cause local heating of the cross brace putting abnormal stresses on things. Don't put the bulb directly over a brace and you're fine.
 
Glass

Glass

I had my one acrylic tank and I will never go back, too many issues with scratching and a brace on the top cracked from the lighting.
 
It's your choice man;)

I've never had an acrylic tank, I've always had glass and don't think I would do acrylic. I like being able to use razor blades to scrape off coralline if need be.
Lots of people have acrylic, but I think there's a learning curve with them on which things to do and not to do. If you choose the not to do way then watch out because you'll be kickin yourself saying you should have went with glass.

Good Luck in your choice
:D
 
Motohead, If money isn't a problem and you can get a good price for your old tank, sell it and go with Starphire glass, no worries or concerns associated with acrylic. More time and attention is required with acrylic. For me I have both, the benifits of glass vs. acrylice even out, but that is just my oppion.
 
Thanks guys for your replies.

as for my Acrylic, i have had it running for years. with NO bowing. and i mean that NO bowing at all. and i also had PC's running on it when it was fully planted. i did build a new taller canopy for it, 16"? if i remember right, i want to keep a canopy on it until i get it moved into a wall because i have a cat that will want to get on there and if the top is open, well you know my Maine coon will be paws deep in the water.

i guess right now I'm stuck with whether or not to just jump full steam reef or just go FOWLR and just pickup a glass tank for a reef 180-210 .

but once the tank is in a wall i will be hanging my MH's above it so i can put some distance on them from the tank and then i don't think ill be worried at all.

i just know i wont be happy unless i do a all out Reef. (more to view) and enjoy.

again thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments
 
Re: Glass

Re: Glass

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9094767#post9094767 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
I had my one acrylic tank and I will never go back, too many issues with scratching and a brace on the top cracked from the lighting.
Click to expand...

both of which are user errors & not the fault of the acrylic!! Simple precautions will ensure no scratches or no warped acrylic!!

3 acrylic tanks ago .... it was 10+ years old & looked as good as new!! My present tank is only 2 ish years old thus it's still in nex condition.
 
i have always used acrylic yes it will scratch but if you are careful you can avoid it. also the odds of the tank leaking are very very small with glass you never know. really comes down to the tank maker also plexi is colorless so its very clear. just my 2 cents
 
Best Acrylic tank maker

Best Acrylic tank maker

www.envisionacrylics.com/index.html I have bought 3 tanks from James and all are 1" thick and are completely open on top with no bracing. Beautiful tanks. 48x24x26tall, 72x36x30tall and 48x30x30tall. I also had a 300 plex tank set up for 11 years with virtually no scratches.
Worse case with glass = The tank breaks
Worse case with acrylic = The tank scratches
Take your pick.
 
only problem i had was scratches while removing coraline.
8167bulkheads__Custom___4_-thumb.JPG
 
motohead pm me a price I may be interested also I have a 180 Im going to be selling let me know maybe we can work something out
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

jlmawp
Changing Tanks - Should I keep [some] sand?
Replies
4
Views
622
Michael Hoaster
Michael Hoaster
C
Acrylic tank is warping on the top ? Is this normal
Replies
3
Views
958
Seasidenj
S
S
My family and I just got infected from palytoxin
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
sasq40
S
C
180 rimless glass or 180 topless acrylic?
Replies
4
Views
559
CTaylor
C
A
Just started fishless cycle, opinions?
Replies
3
Views
560
Alan0387
A
Back
Top