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View Full Version : Is Starfire galss worth the money?


cooder24
01/31/2006, 11:27 AM
i have been looking into another tank and found a tank i like that comes with starfire glass. I personaly have never seen a Starfire Glass reeftank in person just on RC. But for those that have, is the cost difference realy worth the clarity.

electric130
01/31/2006, 11:52 AM
yes

gcarroll
01/31/2006, 12:21 PM
I will only state that it may be for glass thicker than 1/2" Then the difference becomes more noticeable.

dannieboiz
01/31/2006, 12:31 PM
If I had the money, I would definitely do Starfire instead of AGA or even acrylic...

Ti
01/31/2006, 04:20 PM
One Word.
YES.

SerLunchbox
01/31/2006, 04:28 PM
Starphire is AWESOME. Hands down the best ... it is like comparing a brown beer bottle to a clear bottle .... it is that noticeable!!

Horace
01/31/2006, 05:01 PM
I dont know, perhaps I need to see more big tanks, but I notice very little difference in clarity between my 75g and my buddys' 260 starfire. Perhaps its because my 75 isnt that thick I dont know...

Its definatly a far cry from what SerLunchbox is indicating IMO

dannieboiz
01/31/2006, 05:06 PM
it's not the clarity. it's the blue you see through the standard glass and the "almost crystal clear" view from the Starfire.

Depending on the lightings you should be able to tell. You'll def. see the difference if they're sitting side by side with the same lightings. Saw a member with a 48x24x24 starfire tank and I aboslutely love it. Durable, scratch resistence and almost as clear as acrylic.

CW from the OC
01/31/2006, 07:53 PM
Yes.

asmodeus
01/31/2006, 08:55 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6634634#post6634634 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dannieboiz
it's not the clarity. it's the blue you see through the standard glass and the "almost crystal clear" view from the Starfire.

Depending on the lightings you should be able to tell. You'll def. see the difference if they're sitting side by side with the same lightings. Saw a member with a 48x24x24 starfire tank and I aboslutely love it. Durable, scratch resistence and almost as clear as acrylic.

You said Scratch resistance ,Really MY good Friend here on the board DOug bought Starfire glass and it scratched just by cleaning with a Rag ... May be it wasnt Starfire ,but i was really turn off by it..



mike

aqua_fire_rium
01/31/2006, 08:57 PM
Any one that says they cant see a difference....IS BLIND !

reefdadx2
01/31/2006, 09:06 PM
I would look into the scratch factor. I hear they do scratch easier than normal glass. Good luck. Michael R

glasstech
01/31/2006, 09:16 PM
just go to a local glass shop and ask them for glass samples ,and compare!~ regular plate glass has a green/blue tint from the liquid tin the roll it out on when making it, it leaves some of the tin on the glass thats why its green/blue where as starfire is 99% pure. far as scratching well ,glass doesnt scatch we do, pun intented! i work in alocal glass shop. we have samples for the commercial side, just ask them and youll see the difference.its like looking through glass and not !!

cooder24
01/31/2006, 10:00 PM
so frow what i gathered it is only much better than regular glass if you are using a pane larger than 1/2 inch thick?

electric130
01/31/2006, 10:18 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6637175#post6637175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cooder24
so frow what i gathered it is only much better than regular glass if you are using a pane larger than 1/2 inch thick? even less than 1/2" is noticible.

Ti
01/31/2006, 10:23 PM
it's better period.

man1410
01/31/2006, 10:23 PM
yes!!

glasstech
02/01/2006, 07:20 AM
ive samples at my shop thats 3/8 you can hold each next to each other and the differnce is absloute. night to day!! check reefcrazed tank out on he was featured on totm while back maybe 1 or so yrs . hes got 500 ish g tank and hes got 1" starfire which is 2x 1/2" laminated pieces, starfire will run u around 10 to 12$ square ft. + shipping if u do it ur self.

scooter86
02/01/2006, 08:29 AM
Absolutely yes. My 180 has Starfie on the front only. The comparison between the side panels and the front is absolutely unbelievable. If I did it again, I would get Starfire on the sides as well.

s10willy
02/01/2006, 09:14 AM
glasstech - Have you had experience with starfire scratching easier than regular glass?

Psyire
02/01/2006, 12:44 PM
I have a 3 sided Starphire 180g and love it. This glass is tough, I haven't scratched it and I have hard silica sand. BUT get true PPG starphire, there are other alternatives that may be less scratch resistant. IMO, the 'window' into your sea, should be the best quality possible. (it only makes sense)

Fliger
02/01/2006, 01:07 PM
This thead has some info you might be interested in.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=734838&highlight=starphire

And here is a pic of a tank I had a few years ago - low iron front/sides, regular bottom -

http://homepage.mac.com/dfliger/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2006-01-20%2021.29.57%20-0800/Image-637973B48A3511DA.jpg

glasstech
02/01/2006, 08:53 PM
have not had ne problems with scrathing, but ppg is a good supplier we get alot of glass from them , also coastal glass and , aci. just check your area and see who offers it, just try to cut out the middle man if possible, id go with PPG. if u can order it from them.ive only been able to get it in 1/4 ,,3/8,, and 1/2 inch. if your so worried about scratching it. then treat it like acrylic !! just take your time go slow cleaning it.

Fliger
02/01/2006, 09:03 PM
I forgot - I had two low iron tanks and never scratched them. I used magnet cleaners - but I have a habit that even with glass, I use acrylic pads.

PPG also told me that they'll be releasing 5/8" and 3/4" at some point this year.

cerreta
02/01/2006, 10:46 PM
amazing difference as seen in the photo. My buddy has a starfire front and one side. The side against the wall is regular glass. When looking through the standard glass panel, the water looks yellowish-green compared to the starfire sides. My next custom will be starfire.

Ti
02/02/2006, 01:26 AM
I want starfire.