Weight difference of acrylic vs. glass...

[dreaminmel]

I'm in the planning stages of upgrading my 125 to a 240 and while I love the benefits of glass, we've moved so many large glass tanks over the years and had friends end up sore or injured that I'm seriously considering acrylic this time around...

So does anyone have an idea of the weight of an acrylic 240 gallon 60" x 36" x 25" vs. a glass one?

 

[seaguy7]

Depends on thickness of course. For the same thickness glass is about twice as heavy:

.5" thick glass weighs 6.7 lbs per square foot.
.5" acrylic weighs 3.13 lbs per square foot.

5'x3'x2' tank requires about 47 square feet with no top.
Made of .5" glass that's 315 lbs versus 147 lbs of .5" acrylic.

Unless I am mistaken...

 

[turtleman9100]

I took down my 135 gallon glass and 3 people lifted it. 6ft long and pretty heavy. My upgraded tank is a 300 gallon cube, 48 x 48 x 30. 1 inch thick walls and 1/2 thick bracing. My wife and I were able to lift this one. I am a pretty big guy but she's 5'4 and weight 130 lbs. I would say there is a major difference in weight.

 

[dreaminmel]

Thanks

Sounds like acrylic it is then... I'm 5'3" 118lbs and hubby isn't a big guy at all so we'll take the lighter weight. Our available friends for help are pretty slim now as three of our prior helpers ended up needing shoulder surgeries at one point or another after helping move our old 6ft 1/2inch thick glass Oceanic tank that we kept one of our tegus in from house to house.

 

[Untamed12]

Did you see PWhitby's hybrid tank? It is acrylic everywhere except the front viewing panel...which is starfire. I believe his intention is only front panel viewing. In that situation, could be the best of both.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1423726

 

[xXReefXx]

wow, thats a big different. am goin acrylic all the way for my feature tank!!

 

[dreaminmel]

...even with the weight difference over the past 24 hours I'm finding myself being sucked into the Marineland Deep Dimensions 60" x 36" x 27" vortex... Doesn't help that I'm finding people willing to help with the heavy lifting in exchange for some food and "drink". :lol:

 

[dreaminmel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13862029#post13862029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Untamed12
Did you see PWhitby's hybrid tank? It is acrylic everywhere except the front viewing panel...which is starfire. I believe his intention is only front panel viewing. In that situation, could be the best of both.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1423726

That is one gorgeous tank!!! Anyone know history of hybrids lasting long term?