Big tank glass vs acrylic

[SeaDweller]

+1...I have only purchased acrylic tanks since 1991, will never set up a large glass tank again.

Also look into the acrylic sleeve magnet cover from Champion Lighting... prevents sand scratches

yup! I just the sleeve of a Dobie pad

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I have an acrylic 240. At first I hated how easily it COULD scratch (and did). Then I discovered some 3M felt polishing pads or whatever they are, and polished in tank, all inhabitants still in. Now I'm kinda glad I have acrylic.

Any chance you could post a pic or link?

 

[Katrina71]

I'm glass all the way.
I had 1 acrylic tank and wanted it gone inside 6 months.


On another note, your choice of glasscages is interesting in that I just saw a post by someone new at glasscages and he said that the old issues that plagued their tanks are a thing of the past.
I had one that lasted me 8 years before it sprung a leak in the bottom seam. This was 6 years ago.
He posted here in a thread this morning.

Yes. New owner. He's serious about quality standards too. I'm going on Friday to visit.

 

[cvrle1]

Somebody lied to you... in tank scratches can be sanded without emptying tank

Glad someone else said it. And since everyone likes to look at pictures and video's, here are 2 that describe how to do it with full tank (part 1 and 2).

 

[SeaDweller]

Any chance you could post a pic or link?

Zona 37-948 3M Wet/Dry Polishing Paper, 8-1/2-Inch X 11-Inch, Assortment Pack One Each 1, 2, 3, 9, 15, and 30 Micron

 

[mfinn]

Yes. New owner. He's serious about quality standards too. I'm going on Friday to visit.

If you are going to visit GC, hopefully they will allow you to take pictures.
If they do please take many.

 

[Katrina71]

If you are going to visit GC, hopefully they will allow you to take pictures.
If they do please take many.

I'll take all the pics they allow!

 

[NowGlazeIT]

My question is how does light reflect differently from the two? Especially when talking corals!

 

[madweazl]

When it comes to reef tanks, I'll only use glass because it's just so much more resistant to scratches and with Starfire/low iron glass available now, clarity isn't much of an issue.

 

[Katrina71]

I'll never have an acrylic tank again.

 

[ca1ore]

Somebody made the point earlier that I think is worth reiterating …..

Probably the cons outweigh the pros for an acrylic tank when considering smaller volumes; but once you get into the really large tanks (say above 300 gallons) there are some quite compelling reasons to go acrylic. Not the least of which is that the cost curves cross. Smaller acrylic tanks are usually more expensive than their glass counterparts; but above 300-ish, acrylic may well be cheaper (and stronger). I'd used glass tanks almost exclusively up to and including a Marineland 265. When I was considering going much larger, I ultimately went with acrylic for my 450. Ive had no reasons yet to regret the choice.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

One more thing to think about that has not been brought up, boys, baseball bats and temper tantrums! You'll see.;Joyful IMO, acrylic for anything large.

 

[jasonrusso]

I've had glass, then acrylic, then back to glass. I'll never do acrylic again. It scratches when you look at it. Look up crazing. The "bonds" start to let go over the years.

240g isn't too big. I have a 220 and it took 3 of us to move it. If you can go glass, I recommend it. You can scrape it if it gets dirty. Acrylic is always a light cleaning. If it does get scratched, the algae grows in the scratch

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Around 200 gallon I would really look at the manufacturer of the tank does not matter glass or acrylic. If the acrylic is thick enough to not bow it will be more than the glass. Yes both can scratch and if you have a nice thick acrylic tank scratches can be removed multiple times. Some very minor scratches in glass can be polished out but only minor ones. You can get two strong people to lift a 240 gallon glass but recommend 4 . if you have a couple of stairs. Acrylic two guys can move it almost anywhere. Safety for either one should be fine. Go look at them setup. Every local fish store I have been in any display tank always has a haze from cleaning and a few deep scratches. Every glass tank has some scratches but just do not seem as big an eye sore. I have had both and it would depend on size, location and price. I found even the flipper can scratch glass tank. I have had snails leave marks in acrylic so it really depends on your choice.

 

[jasonrusso]

I'm glass all the way.
I had 1 acrylic tank and wanted it gone inside 6 months.


On another note, your choice of glasscages is interesting in that I just saw a post by someone new at glasscages and he said that the old issues that plagued their tanks are a thing of the past.
I had one that lasted me 8 years before it sprung a leak in the bottom seam. This was 6 years ago.
He posted here in a thread this morning.

You feel that 8 years on an acrylic tank (or any tank) is a good lifespan? If acrylic is "bonded" it should last forever.

 

[ActualProof]

Acrylic can be formed into a single piece So it is stronger than glass. It is also lighter than glass. It is without color and is optically superior to glass

As a licensed optician, I take exception to this last statement. Acrylic/polycarbonate is NOT optically superior to glass. Crown glass at a 1.53 refractive index is the gold standard for clarity, and has a MUCH higher ABBE value than acrylic/polycarbonate. It’s for the same reasons Costa Del Mar really pushes their 580G glass lenses: high scratch resistance, and unmatched optical clarity.

 

[IKD]

I sympathize with your concern on kids. With two little ones in my house and a tank on a back wall, it would still get scratches and dents on the stand. I had glass but have seen plenty of ‘oops’ that would make buffing a regular (and tiresome) routine if I owned acrylic. The glass didn’t scratch for me at all. I’m currently building a 310 (96x28x28) with glass.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

As a licensed optician, I take exception to this last statement. Acrylic/polycarbonate is NOT optically superior to glass. Crown glass at a 1.53 refractive index is the gold standard for clarity, and has a MUCH higher ABBE value than acrylic/polycarbonate. It’s for the same reasons Costa Del Mar really pushes their 580G glass lenses: high scratch resistance, and unmatched optical clarity.

I agree I will not have glasses that are anything but glass. But I have not recently compared glass tanks it acrylic that are 3/4 inch thick.

 

[maroma]

Question: for the person that has had Acrylic tank for 20 yrs. Is that the growth of coral it has done in 20yrs?

Nice tank

 

[Rich Klein]

I am thinking about upgrading my 75g to 240g, something like 96x24x24. I got quote from a local guy for $1400 and it is acrylic tank. I also found a glass tank on glasscages.com for $1112. I am waiting for a quote of shipping to NC.

It may be the similar amount of money and I found both quotes a good deal and I wonder which option is better. I have a small kid and 2 cats. The tank will be a room divider so both long sides will be exposed. I asked local dealer that I am worried about scratches and tinting and he said that acrylic tank is easier to scratch but not that easy and there is plenty of options to buff it and for tinting, modern manufacturers give like 10 years warranty. He also said acrylic has no resealing or leaking issues and it is more resistant to crack. He makes only acrylic tanks so I understand why he defends acrylic over glass.

I found some posts on this forum but they are old, like +2 years old. I wonder how do you guys find your tanks and pros/cons for modern tanks built like this or last year?

I've had both and prefer glass due to much less scratching.