Big tank glass vs acrylic

[Medical_Reef]

Thank you for your input. I am not worried about scratching my tank by myself, I clean my glass tank carefully not knowing why - it was scratched when I purchased it, I needed to reseal it... and after I setup everything I even noticed minor dents on the front panel - again, previous owner (he was hiring a "professional company" to do a maintenance for him). I am worried about my 11 months old son and my 2 cats. My boy is too small yet to make any damage but he will be interested in a such great view soon enough. My cats are hunting my fish and the use their claws on the glass. I can buff it from time to time.
But I got a quote from glasscages with transportation it is the same price as for acrylic.
I read about glasscages. They had some issues but also they have happy customers.

So I think I will go with glass. Maybe it is a time to include aquarium to my insurance.

For the record, two is plenty old enough to do damage. My two year old found a hammer and hit the brand new glass tank as soon as I placed it on the stand. He was doing his best to help... lol

 

[zalick]

I've had glass tanks from 10g to 300g. If you see a seam failing on a small glass tank it's easy to empty and replace. If you see a seam failing on a 300, you are in trouble.

My 300g marineland deep dimension had 3 seams that were going to fail at some point, after only 3 years. Would they fail on 6 months or another 2 years? I don't know, but they would 100% have failed. Lots of bubbles that were expanding and exposed to water on the inside.

Needless to say I got a custom acrylic. I've definitely scratched it quite a bit. But you can't tell when just standing an viewing. The refractive index of acrylic is much higher than glass, so most scratches aren't noticable..

I wish I could have a large glass tank that I would know with 100% certainty it would never bust a seam, but I don't think those exist..

Do I hate that it scratches super easy which makes it more time consuming to clean? Absolutely. But it's worth the trade off IMO.

So for me, with a large tank, it's 100% acrylic for safety and piece of mind.

Watch YouTube for large tanks exploding...

 

[PurpleMonsterSlayer]

As far as acrylic scratching easily all depends on the brand of acrylic used some scratches easier then others. I build both glass and acrylic tanks and base off dimensions it cheaper to go with acrylic for anything over 180-200 but that also depends on weather you want bracing on the top or rimless. Based on the dimensions are looking for it should cost around $750 just materials to go rimless and $700-$800 with a euro brace. For star fire low iron glass a rimless would run about $800 for the glass and about $650 if you want banding around the top and bottom. As far as the kids go around your tank that’s all on you and how you raise them. I have four and they all grew up around fishtanks none of them ever scratch the tanks or hit the tanks for toys or bottles or bats. They do however enjoy sitting in front of them and watching sometimes they get a little close and they put their face on the glass but none of them have ever harmed a tank or scratched it. I’m currently building a lagoon style tank 48”x30”x16” and as soon as I finish I’ll post a build thread. I’ll have it all welded to getter in a day or so then finish it when I get back from my trip it it’s a pic of the start of it.

 

[fishguy242]

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

hi if referring to mine a couple are older most are 13 0r less here is one appro 20yrs,bet i have traded or solt off frags just as big so would prob be triple in size if left alone

 

[SeaDweller]

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.

You speak my language, eyes are my profession. Too bad there’s no CR39 tanks, ha?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am the person who feared acrylic and scratching for years. At my pet store i had clarity plus acrylic display units which rarely if ever scratched.
In the past year I purchased a new acrylic drop off tank. Realizing it has yet to scratch, the time had come to jump into my big tank (well...bigger tank dream) and i found my 660g which is acrylic. I have added fine scratches from magnet cleaner but also removed scratches easily
This beast is 1.25” thick and no heavier than my 360g glass i had. It retains lighting within system, magnifies what is within tank and at 8300 pounds would have been almost 10,000 pounds if it was glass!! I love the clean rounded edges of tank and seamless effects.
I will own acrylic from this point forward.

 

[fishguy242]

i just secured a 500,peninsula today,80x44x30 ,gotta get a truck get all my tanks down here,350 miles away,then away we go

 

[italquam]

Acrylic can be buffed out from inside with tank full....Mighty Magnets makes a kit.


The LA Fish guys made a video

 

[Katrina71]

i just secured a 500,peninsula today,80x44x30 ,gotta get a truck get all my tanks down here,350 miles away,then away we go

Details. We need details.

 

[ActualProof]

You speak my language, eyes are my profession. Too bad there’s no CR39 tanks, ha?

Yes, as long as the UV won’t turn them yellow after a few years! I love CR39. I live in Columbia, SC, the home of “Columbia Resin 39”. I think we just became best friends.

 

[CoralWealth]

What company do you guys suggest using for large acrylic tanks? I am looking for a 72 long, 48 inch wide.

 

[fishguy242]

hi guys follow me will have pics 500 gal thanks

 

[ross0201]

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.

What do you look for in refractive index for an aquarium? Close to water? Between water and air? You have 3 mediums to pass light so what do you try to match?

Unrelated to this forum, but I'm curious; how does refractive index make glasses more or less clear? I thought it was just bending? Or does more bending let you have thinner lenses/less distortion?

 

[fishguy242]

don't know right place ,have pics of 500,for the ones who wanted to see follow for future ,have not seen in person yet no livestock,but stole it at 1500$ yep the tv is included w all the eq also

 

[vetteguy53081]

Acrylic can be buffed out from inside with tank full....Mighty Magnets makes a kit.


The LA Fish guys made a video

A little bit of work and switching sand pads but it works. Love my mighty magnets.

 

[albano]

What company do you guys suggest using for large acrylic tanks? I am looking for a 72 long, 48 inch wide.

Myself and a few friends have used fishtanksdirect.com ... I got a 200g and a 6’x5’ 500g from them and am very happy with the tanks

 

[Will Wohlers]

Depending on where in nc you're located I see used systems on the classifieds here all the time in our state. Some are brand new some hardly used for amazing discounts over new. I see lots of custom really high quality glass systems the size you want or larger often for around the price point you're looking at. I mean amazing systems some barely have been wet.

 

[fishguy242]

nice tank albano

 

[albano]

nice tank albano

Thank you, Sir. When I was specking out the tank, I thought that I would like it... but no ... I love it! The 5’ front to back makes so much difference. I have 30 Sq ft of floor space.
I’m actually looking at a new home, and thinking that I’ll upgrade a little to either 8’ or 10’ x 6’... somewhere in 800-1000g range... and yes, acrylic.

 

[fishguy242]