Starfire Glass vs Regular Glass...

[bob1825]

Should I believe the hype that Starfire glass is superior to regular glass for a reef aquarium? My LFS owner says that he doesn't see a huge difference and wouldn't pay the extra for Starfire. What are your thoughts? Have you been able to see the difference? Thank you in advance for your input!

--Jason

 

[m0nkie]

starfire or low iron glass are more clear... imo.. well worth the money

I have a 100gal and a 150gal starfire sitting next to each other.. normal glass makes me dizzy at times when I stare into it.

 

[genetao]

Well quite frankly, I can tell a difference in my tanks. The regular glass just doesn't look as clear as my low iron glass tanks. But the difference is not that noticable.

I guess for me, it would boil down to the additional cost for the low iron glass. I mean if it's twice the cost of regular glass, then forget it. But if it's a 20% bump in price, I'd consider it.

Because barring everything else, the tank is the only item that you can't easily upgrade. Filters, lighting, powerheads, even tank stand are easier to swap out. But trying to move substrate, live rock, corals, fish, invertebrates, etc, etc, etc, would be a royal PITA. No to mention the stress to the livestock, and possible losses.

Thus I'm in the mindset that buy the best tank I can afford (so long as it's not twice the cost). Everything else can be easily swapped out later. Just my $0.02.

 

[bob1825]

Great point genetao...

 

[bob1825]

Thank you M0nkie. I would hate to get sea sick staring at my tank!

 

[jabeuy]

I've also heard that it also depends on glass thickness. With the difference being more noticeable when the glass is thicker.

 

[Spar]

if you do searches you will see many different opinions on this topic. i personally feel that it was well worth the extra money (extra $1k or a little more). I have starphire on the front and regular on the back (viewable from both sides). when you have both, looking into the same tank with the same lighting, it is quite clear that starphire does wonders for your viewing experience.

only problem is I spend most of my time on the non-starphire side of the tank (maintenance side)... I need more time drinking wine in front of it instead!

 

[genetao]

What size tank are you looking to get?

 

[bob1825]

about a 60 gallon, its going to be custom built so I am looking at 36 inch long, 20 inches tall and 18 inches deep. Alternatively, I may just get a Red Reefer 250. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Spar]

Starfire Glass vs Regular Glass...

Also consider that thinner glass makes less difference. If you go 20" tall it is likely thin glass 1/2" or under. If you go taller and 3/4" glass it is going to show much better.

 

[Sk8r]

My tank is about half-inch thick glass, and when you get to that thickness the optical quality of the glass really starts to show up. Larger tanks tend to use that glass thickness, and most local fish stores don't sell that sort of or size of tank. I do recommend glass. Having had a 100 gallon acrylic, I got glass this round and am very happy to have it. Heavy, yes. But easier to care for.

 

[bob1825]

So the thicker the glass the better it will show? I would have thought the opposite. Thank you for the tip.

 

[Sk8r]

Mine is starphire. Should have said. The thicker glass almost always is, because of the optics, and the larger tanks take thicker glass because of the weight inside. When you're holding back a whole lot of rock, sand, and water---you need more than 1/8th thick glass, imho! Very large tanks with thin glass are generally intended to keep, say, reptiles or small mammals.

 

[ca1ore]

To my eye bigger apparent difference when tank is empty. Since I planned to fill mine I didn't bother and went with regular.

 

[Chevre]

I wouldnt spend the extra money on starphire. I just dont think the physical difference is worth the cost. To each their own but i can think of better uses for $1,000

 

[davocean]

If you are one that can see the difference, it's definitely worth it.
After having a few low iron tanks and trying a standard glass when I swapped up a while back I couldn't wait to get back to a low iron glass tank again.

 

[ThRoewer]

In my opinion it makes relatively little difference with most fish but a whole lot of difference with corals, giant clams and the likes - all things that have iridescent colors.