ichthyojason
Member
Looking at getting a new tank in the 180 to 240 g range. Can anyone help me out as to the pros and cons of each.
WTB New Tank - Glass or Acrylic?
- Thread starter ichthyojason
- Start date
BONDQ
Premium Member
I'm digging the acrylic, stronger pound per pound, and lighter.
Bryan is right, though, it can scratch must easier, but they can be buffed out.
I perfer the clarity and purity of color that the acrylic gives off.
I just had a 300G acrylic custom built and it gives off such a pure light.
Bryan is right, though, it can scratch must easier, but they can be buffed out.
I perfer the clarity and purity of color that the acrylic gives off.
I just had a 300G acrylic custom built and it gives off such a pure light.
ScotchMaster
In Memoriam
Starphire=the best
ichthyojason
Member
So far I gather the differences are clarity, weight, scratches, and cost. Does that cover everything?
Is starphire equivalent with low iron glass? Some of these tank makers I have spoke to are not familiar with the "Starphire" term. Thanks
Is starphire equivalent with low iron glass? Some of these tank makers I have spoke to are not familiar with the "Starphire" term. Thanks
belowthesea06
In Memoriam
acrylic much lighter last longer but glass cheaper last around 5-10 years.
ichthyojason
Member
Really - so the lifespan of glass is also much shorter? Hmmmm - that could be significant.
Captain Quirk
New member
TMU they are essentially the same.
I'd be interested to know which manufacturer you choose and more of the specifics of your setup. I'm leaning in the direction of GlassCages for my tank because of the cost and I've heard positive (up until recently, that is) things about them (nobody's elaborated on what the "problem" is with glass cages, so who knows...). Honestly, I'd rather deal with someone local however I think there are pretty slim pickings around here... Except for Lee Mar (my tank was about 2600 bucks IIRC - and it was a 3*4*25 inch with starphire... Uh, no thanks!).
ichthyojason
Member
Glasscages is one of the ones I am considering too, though if someone has some info that is pertinent about them I would like to hear it.
Captain Quirk
New member
Me, too, but it hasn't happened.
You know, also, they are delivering to LA now, too! I think they'll be out this way in August sometime... May want to keep that in mind!
You know, also, they are delivering to LA now, too! I think they'll be out this way in August sometime... May want to keep that in mind!
JenDub
In Memoriam
Acrylic-
Easy to move/lighter
Least distortion/best view
Cons-
Must hand buff surface with acrylic pad to keep clean/if you wait a week it's as green as glass from the algae
Cannot use magnet cleaner (unless you want to destroy your tank)
Glass-Easy to clean & Cheap
Cons-Heavy as sin! Porr viewing quality on tanks over 1/2"
Low iron/starphire
Clean/clear as glass will get
Easier to clean than acrylic
Cons
Scratches easy (somewhere between acrylic & normal glass)
Heavy & expensive
Easy to move/lighter
Least distortion/best view
Cons-
Must hand buff surface with acrylic pad to keep clean/if you wait a week it's as green as glass from the algae
Cannot use magnet cleaner (unless you want to destroy your tank)
Glass-Easy to clean & Cheap
Cons-Heavy as sin! Porr viewing quality on tanks over 1/2"
Low iron/starphire
Clean/clear as glass will get
Easier to clean than acrylic
Cons
Scratches easy (somewhere between acrylic & normal glass)
Heavy & expensive
Yinger
Premium Member
i called glass cages as well. THey are extremely cheap but teh quality is nowhere near leemar or even advance aqua tanks. They don't even have the overflow put on and you have to buy the acrylic or overflow yourself. Go with glass, it may be heavy, but its only one move. Once in, you probably won't move it again for a while. Also i heard of acrylic getting a yellow hue within time.
laverda
Well-known member
JenDub, I disagree. Most people are surprised how clean and scratch free my acrylic tank is. Everyone thinks acrylic means scratches. It does not. You do have to be a little careful is all. But it is also mush easier to remove the scratches then glass.
Acrylic
I use a Kent scraper with plastic blade and never hand buff.
If your really cheap you can use a credit card.
I use a magnetic cleaner all the time.
Scratches can easily be removed.
If your pistol shrimp causes a rock slide it will not brake an acrylic tank. Or if you accidently drop a rock against the glass. Things can fall against your tank to.
SO CA is earth quake country.
Glass
easier to clean as you don't have to pay much attention except around the joint or curved surfaces.
Silicone will degrade with age
One of my class fresh water tanks started leaking at the seam after 3 or 4 years.
I personally know 3 other people that have had glass tanks fail. 2 just started leaking one day and one shattered a pane for no apparent reason.
ichthyojason
Member
Can you elaborate on this thought . . .
Captain Quirk
New member
I spoke with them about a custom overflow and it was no problem at all. I can do a weir or whatever I want...
As for not being as good as LM or Advance Aqua, I can't say as I haven't seen one. I'd like to, frankly, but I don't know anyone who has one.
I understand all the edges are polished, as well. That's a sticking point for me, frankly.
Does anyone HAVE one of these tanks, and could you chime in, please?
Thanks...
mikedege
You kidding me or what?
Its simple, Kids like fish/coral. And love to touch the glass/acrylic. With acrylic, its difficult to keep it from getting scratched. Even small scratches bother the heck out of me. And imagine years of kids touching your acrylic tank.
Can anybody with acrylic tanks, and kids give their opinion?
-Mike
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