Glass or Acrylic

[Princess Di]

I know this is a huge debate, but I honestly need some help in deciding. I have a 96x36x36 acrylic and I hate the scratches. As careful as I could be, there are still scratches, which makes me lean towards glass. But I am more fearful of leaks and cracks with glass. The new tank will be in wall and around 300 gallons. 8 feet long, 2 feet wide, and either 24" or 30" high. Any suggestions to help me decide would be greatly appreciated. We are also building a fishroom around this tank, so I will be posting pics as we get started.

[reefrubble]

Which ever way you go glass , or acrylic go with the 30 " dimension from front to back (Depth ) . If you go 24 " tall I think you will like the look much better. The more depth you have ,the more you can do with the tank.

Oregon Reefer's Tank is 72" wide x 96" deep (front to back ) , and Wow what a look .

[Henry100]

I recommend acrylic because it's light,has excellent clarity and the aquarium should be more durable than a glass one.Furthermore,acrylic can't be scratched from inside while cleaning it using a soft sponge(unless you clean it very low and take sand on the sponge).While cleaning it from outside,first use a dump sponge and then a soft towel.It's really impossible to scratch it in that way!Be careful when you purchase it,it should not have any scratches from the start.Then,it will look like glass.It WON'T SCRATCH!

[marcrothschild]

Fish, snails, clams, and urchins are all capable of scratching acrylic no matter how carefull you are.

[jnc914]

I have always been a proponent of glass tanks over acrylic. However i recently purchased a used 300 gallon acrylic. The tank was beat up pretty bad in spots, with some deep scratches in areas. I purchased micro-mesh and the tank is starting to look brand new, albeit it took lot of time to get it looking that way. That is one of the luxeries of acrylic, you can always just buff out scratches, where as scratches in glass are permanent. I will be setting up my 300 next weekend.

[hos]

I am having the same debate on what to get glass or acrylic .
the tank I am thinking of getting is 96x30x25 ,
and have talked to a few people and they have said that they have put scratches in thire new acrylic tanks and have lernt how to clean their tanks so not to scratch . the other thing is the weight of a glass tank .
how about a pole on this ?
glass or acrylic and wood you buy it again and if not why

[hos]

sorry about the spelling
glass or acrylic and would you buy it again and if not why

[steve the plumb]

I am in the same boat.I want the same size 96x30x24 I want it to be clear but everyone has said its easy to scratch and it worries me.I may get a tank from glass cages in glass even though it weighs more only because I fear it will scratch.Glass is alot harder to scratch than acrylic

[alden168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9933890#post9933890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Princess Di
I know this is a huge debate, but I honestly need some help in deciding. I have a 96x36x36 acrylic and I hate the scratches. As careful as I could be, there are still scratches, which makes me lean towards glass. But I am more fearful of leaks and cracks with glass. The new tank will be in wall and around 300 gallons. 8 feet long, 2 feet wide, and either 24" or 30" high. Any suggestions to help me decide would be greatly appreciated. We are also building a fishroom around this tank, so I will be posting pics as we get started.

Go with acrylic....unlike a friend of mine....got a 180 gallons...for about 6 months, the bottom crack while he was on vacation...But if you will go with acrylic....and can afford it..go with 3/4 or 1 inch..mine is 450 gallon with 1 inch thickness.:rollface:

[Henry100]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9936281#post9936281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marcrothschild
Fish, snails, clams, and urchins are all capable of scratching acrylic no matter how carefull you are.


I have a small Picasso Triggerfish which,everyday,constantly nibbles on side or viewing panel algae and the acrylic aquarium,it inhabits,remains without a single scratch for a year now!It's seems obvious that it won't scratch by this cause.I have also one hermit and one snail in it and they haven't succeeded in scratching acrylic,too!I think acrylic is scratched from careless owners while cleaning it from outside without using a dump sponge first.

[mballant]

be careful with glasscages i heard a lot of bad things about them in other forums. i was about to buy one this weekend past but decided not too after reading some forums. Currently, looking for a 72x36x24 3 viewing sides long sides starphire in florida can't find a maker someone let me know if they know anybody please

[Mahlhavoc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9937237#post9937237 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mballant
be careful with glasscages i heard a lot of bad things about them in other forums. i was about to buy one this weekend past but decided not too after reading some forums.

I can post two links one to a large tank and one to a 180 that have nothing but pitfalls with them.

Anyhow, I like acrylic, so clear and much lighter. I was more than happy when I recieved my 450 and am soo glad I went Acrylic.

[steve the plumb]

I was affraid of this.I have read several posts were people were unhappy with tanks from Glass Cages.I guess you do get what you pay for.I don't want a tank thats built like crap.How are there acrylic tanks?Are they built just as bad as some of there glass tanks?

[Acrylics]

From what I've seen, their acrylic tanks are all extruded material, not a recommended material for tanks. The tops look to be pieced together rather than being a single sheet. I've heard of folks being happy with them for sumps though. I can't say whether they are built well or badly, but not the way I'd recommend, for whatever that's worth.

HTH,
James

[BigDaddy]

I really like my 280 starfire tank. It was very heavy though. I also didn't want to deal w/ scratching on a acrylic tank.

[mcrist]

Cleaning an acrylic is a pain and I miss the good old days when I had a glass tank. Acrylic still has a lot of other advantages but the scratching sucks.

[sfsuphysics]

Well I myself and bouncing back and forth with this too, on one hand glass is cheaper (usually) and there is just so much satisfaction when you can clean it by running a razor blade over it and be done with it.

Acrylic is nice too because it's much easier to configure holes to put drains and the like, however as mentioned it scratches like a mother, and by comparison is a LOT harder to clean than glass because you have to be careful. However you can remove scratches with a micromesh, how much work you want to put into it, I don't know..

Clarity... meh... you could say acrylic is clearer, but to be perfectly honest unless the glass is really thick this should not even be a consideration, right after cleaning my 120 tall, the tank's front glass is practically invisible.

Out of curiosity you mentioned you have a 8x3x3 acrylic tank already, why not use that simply buff out the existing scratches?

[tbone28]

My last tank (240g) was acrylic. I loved the strength and clarity of it...until I scratched it. And then my neice scratched it, trying to be helpful by running the magnet across. That, coupled with a busy lifestyle, resulted in a tank FULL of scratches. I've since sold that tank, and have a starphire tank on order from A.G.E.

I, too, struggled with the structural integrity of glass vs. acrylic. Ultimately, I ended up with glass because I know that I will scratch the acrylic. it just takes one day I'm not being careful to scratch the acrylic.

[Princess Di]

My 8x3x3 is set up and running. You can see pics in my gallery. This 300 will be in addition, along with a 150 and a 30. ALL IN THE SAME ROOM!!!! Guess we'll have to get rid of the kids. Ha Ha

Envision Acrylics e-mailed me and they are willing to deliver the tank since they are only several hours away. Guy named James...hhmmmm...wonder if it is the same James here under the name Acrylics?????

[steve the plumb]

acrylic costs more than glass.If you want a 3/4 thick tank like mine then I am forced to go with saphire glass or the tank will look green.Glass Cages is the cheapest.

[t12345]

Of those with acrylic tanks, have you had any issues with metal halide lighting? On the top bracing, any problems with warping or yellowing of the acrylic bracing? I have an acrylic 300 bowfront which I was concerned about using 400watt metal halides. The top is 3/4 acrylic with two large openings and a center brace. The openings have lexan covering lids. Would appreciate anybodies experience on this thought.
Thanks, Tim

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9943360#post9943360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Princess Di
Envision Acrylics e-mailed me and they are willing to deliver the tank since they are only several hours away. Guy named James...hhmmmm...wonder if it is the same James here under the name Acrylics?????

Yes it is and he is the best acrylic manufacturer out there.

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9944142#post9944142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by t12345
Of those with acrylic tanks, have you had any issues with metal halide lighting? On the top bracing, any problems with warping or yellowing of the acrylic bracing? I have an acrylic 300 bowfront which I was concerned about using 400watt metal halides. The top is 3/4 acrylic with two large openings and a center brace. The openings have lexan covering lids. Would appreciate anybodies experience on this thought.
Thanks, Tim
Just make sure the halides are not over the braces. I went euro braced so that I wouldn't have any of those concerns.

[nyvp]

when I was deciding on my tank 120x36x30 I went through the same thoughts. The weight never was a deciding factor because I don't intend to move it often. Cost was and glass came out 1k cheaper. clarity wasn't a difference once you go low iron( sapphire ) thermal properties glass wins in my book. acrylic is a better insulator and keeps the heat in better. I have a 3 sided tank that ATM runs between 75-76 degrees with no chiller. I think having 74 degree a/c surrounding the tank helps a lot. As for the tank breaking if you look at the amount of tanks breaking or splitting seams either glass or acrylic they both dont have problems often . One of the reefers down here had a acrylic seam go from a well know manufacturer. It happens not often but it does.
last thing is scratching. I have had 3 tanks 2 acrylic and now the third is glass and will never go back. What a pain in the butt it is to keep it scratch free. I have to clean/scrape twice a week 8280"s of glass (120+120+36x30) cleaning it takes me less then 2 mins with my razor/magnet combo. Up to you but as I say I will never go back to acrylic
mballant I bought my tank from exotic in Miami ask for the owner her name is Karen Elder.

[Princess Di]

I have MH lights over my acrylic. There are 3 openings and I have a 1000W over the center opening. Then (4) 250W on the outside corners. They do overlap the center bracing. I've had the tank for almost 4 years and see no sign of yellowing or warping. The lights are a good 12 inches above.

[steve the plumb]

where is that in miami.My buddy has a friend who drives there alot so if I buy it in Miami I can get it shipped dirt cheap.The biggest hassle for me is getting the tank shipped without getting raped on the price.Can you let me have the web site of this builder.It may be more cost effective to buy from him.Unless anyone knows a good builder in New York

[nyvp]

Exotic Aquariums:
Karen Elder
7399 Bird Rd
Miami, FL 33155
305-266-0978
Tell her Joseph Shulman sent you.

[steve the plumb]

thanks how is her price ?Is she fair.How is the build quality.I will give her a call maybe it may be worth it for me to get the tank from Florida since my buddy has drivers that go there.Thanks again for the info