acrylic vs glass tank

[Paul_N]

If you had the choice of getting a used 180 gallon acrylic tank that was 6'X2'X2' and 3/8" acrylic and had some minor scratches to buff out but was reef ready. Or a 220 gallon 1/2 glass tank that was 6'X2'X2.5' and was not drilled. Both are used and great deals. Would there be a difference as far as clarity and viewing through the 3/8 acrylic vs the 1/2 glass. I understand about possibility of scratching the acrylic.

Thanks for any input.

Paul

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

Paul,

6x2x2 should be made out of 1/2" acrylic minimum IMO and even at 1/2" it will bow slightly. In your case I would go with the glass.

 

[Nate82]

Clarity wise you can't beat acrylic. But it will scratch and you will regret it. Also as mike says that is dangerously thin. Besides I'm sure you could use the extra 40 gallons for something.... haha

 

[AlexStinson]

I liked my old acrylic.... but I sold it because it was acrylic... just my .02

 

[Reef Pets]

Glass all the way. Also, like the other guys stated, 3/8 is very thin for that size tank.

 

[RBursek]

Ditto Nate82, plus unles you had an acrylic next to it to compare, and once the Coraline needs to scraped and you get scratches on the inside you will not beable to buff them out as far as I know.

 

[iani]

You can buff acrylic tanks with water inside to a nice polish. You just need the right stuff. With that being said. I would not get THAT acrylic tank b/c of how thin it is. It probably has a very large brace on the top, which would be very bad if you plan on using MH lights. If I were choosing between those two tanks I would choose the glass.

 

[RBursek]

I made my sump/fuge out of 1/4 in acrylic it is 48"lx12"wx18"h, get that out of a 4x8' sheet with baffels and wiers, it holds 30g at 12" hight, and I have to have a clamp on the area where the fuge area is because there are no wiers for a cross "brasing" efect, which is about 18" long, because of some bowing, I could make a top brace there but have gotten around to it and if need be I can remove the clamp for some axess if need be, or design a top brase with edges thet slips on for removal.

 

[Cuda]

I make it simple Glass other is junk period. I will never again period .

 

[Paul_N]

Thanks guys. I was thinking the same thing on the 3/8 acrylic. Every acrylic tank over 100gallons I have seen is made with at least 1/2 inch. The tank does have a huge center brace over it and that was my other concern with the MH lighting and algae covering the brace. 220 glass it is! I'll just have to buy a hole saw for it.