Acrylic/glass tank build

Murph710 · Jan 20, 2019

Hello everyone,

I have been out of the hobby for many years and starting to get the itch again. My wife wants to do some minor remodeling and thought now would be the time to sell her on a new tank. I have a crazy husky and wild kids and thinking acrylic would be safer for damage.

* glass vs acrylic, pros/cons
* any reputable business for custom tank build

Was thinking something around 35x35x24 tall with center overflow

Thank for any input,
Jim

TUSI · Jan 20, 2019

Murph710 said:
Hello everyone,

I have been out of the hobby for many years and starting to get the itch again. My wife wants to do some minor remodeling and thought now would be the time to sell her on a new tank. I have a crazy husky and wild kids and thinking acrylic would be safer for damage.

* glass vs acrylic, pros/cons
* any reputable business for custom tank build

Was thinking something around 35x35x24 tall with center overflow

Thank for any input,
Jim

Glass is always easier to maintain imo acrylic scratches easy but lighter to handle and some people will say it last longer due to no silicone and stuff. Mine was done by acrylic glass exhibits.

GrouperStupor · Jan 20, 2019

I like both, but prefer Acrylic due to the clarity and they usually have a large lip on top which helps keep jumpers in. I also like the rounded corners and light weight.

They do have several drawbacks. They are more difficult to keep clean...at least for me. I use a mister clean pad instead of a magnet cleaner.

They will scratch (not if, but when). Scratches are usually minor and hard to see when full. But, if you get a rock stuck in your glass cleaner it will likely scratch deep enough for algae to grow in. The clarity is amazing, so I'm willing to deal with scratches. Also water droplets form around the top, so they look best using a hood.

Murph710 · Jan 20, 2019

Great information, I was hoping to not use a hood. My pup is still young and I worry about her jumping on to the tank and was thinking acrylic would be safer.

Jim

Jacked Reefer · Jan 20, 2019

Glass is good if you don’t want to fix scratches. Acrylic is good if you like to view your reef in full clarity. If your building this yourself acrylic is a bit harder to work with.

Since you have a dog and kids I would skip the acrylic. It can be scratched very easily (by toys flying, dog “looking at the tank@, ect) just make a taller stand if your going rimless glass so none of the littles can reach and you’ll be golden.