Large Acrylic setup info

[kenjung]

I will have a chance to setup a large 400 G acrylic aquarium or go Marineland 300 DD starphire.

One question I can't seem to resolve, scratches and how to avoid it. Too me its bane of acrylic, I'm very rough on my glass 150 G when cleaning algae. It looks like I have to learn a whole new cleaning habit.

Question number one, is light sand the way to go around no more than 2 inch of sand on the bottom.

Is scratch on acrylic one those like scratches on a new car. The first time it happens its bad after that not so bad ?

Anyone with large acrylic 2+ years old how is your tank ? is it possible to have a relatively scratch free acrylic for longer term.

Is it more time consuming cleaning wise with acrylic tank ?

thanks

[pico-reefer]

I love acrylic, everyone says its so easy to scratch, its simple, just dont be stupid around the tank and you want get scratches.

[garbled]

I have 1" thick acrylic, had it for about 2 years or so. I've had 1-2 scratches caused by getting a bit of sand lodged in the cleaning magnet, but other than that, it's not so bad. In general, just be careful about it.