Glass or acrylic? Pros and cons?

JVH · Mar 28, 2015

I am going with a 75 gallon upgrade. I found a really beautiful 75 gallon clear for life brand uniquarium.
They have a filter built in and I believe room for the skimmer in the back as well it's crystal-clear and quite beautiful looking. Acrylic is also more durable from what I understand as well as clearer and lighter..
Right now i use a razor blade to scrape off very hard brown algae (diatoms?) on my back glass. A single edge razor blade is the only thing that even comes close to getting it off...
I know you can't do that with acrylic. Is that the only reason why I should not get an acrylic tank?
Pros and cons would be appreciated,

Thanks everyone,
Judith

Reefing Madness · Mar 28, 2015

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...aquarium-filtration/193588-acrylic-glass.html

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 28, 2015

In that size tank, I would avoid acrylic at all costs.

hybridazn · Mar 28, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
In that size tank, I would avoid acrylic at all costs.

May I ask why you suggested this? Not exactly sure why tank size matters for what material to use to make it.

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 28, 2015

hybridazn said:
May I ask why you suggested this? Not exactly sure why tank size matters for what material to use to make it.

Because a 75 gallon is cheap enough to get glass and doesn't way that much. Most people do acrylic for bigger tanks because it's more durable anD lighter then glass. As soon as you fill an acrylic tank with sand, you can almost guarantee scratches. In the long run you'll kick yourself for not waiting.

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 28, 2015

*weigh not way

JVH · Mar 29, 2015

Reefing Madness said:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...aquarium-filtration/193588-acrylic-glass.html

I'm sorry I didn't realize I didn't put the actual tank that I am considering it is an acrylic tank calls Clear for life 75 uniquarium
It has a filter built-in and it sounds really nice! All the talk about 40% clearer than glass and no seams.

JVH · Mar 29, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
Because a 75 gallon is cheap enough to get glass and doesn't way that much. Most people do acrylic for bigger tanks because it's more durable anD lighter then glass. As soon as you fill an acrylic tank with sand, you can almost guarantee scratches. In the long run you'll kick yourself for not waiting.

Do you know from experience that the sand will scratch the tank because that's enough to turn me off!
I figured no more razor blades on the wall to scratch off hard deposits and of course I would need to be careful adding the rock. But the sand will scratch it that easily? I don't think I want it... Whole point of the acrylic tank for me was the clarity I will be really upset if it scratched and will kick myself like you said..

Reefing Madness · Mar 29, 2015

Oh yea, it does scratch the glass. Known fact, that usually withi 8-10 years of use, the tank has to be buffed out, usually getting the unsightly scratches in it becomes to much for the owner.
It does, and it will happen.
Go glass, but use Starfire glass on front and sides.
I've buffed out acrylic tanks before, not a great chore to do, knowning your fish and equipment are in the bathtub until the tank is comepleted.

3Twinklets · Mar 29, 2015

I have had 2 acrylic tanks in the past. Will never do it again.
One was a 375G and the other was a 325G. They both were very difficult to get clean and they pulled apart.

JVH · Mar 29, 2015

Reefing Madness said:
Oh yea, it does scratch the glass. Known fact, that usually withi 8-10 years of use, the tank has to be buffed out, usually getting the unsightly scratches in it becomes to much for the owner.
It does, and it will happen.
Go glass, but use Starfire glass on front and sides.
I've buffed out acrylic tanks before, not a great chore to do, knowning your fish and equipment are in the bathtub until the tank is comepleted.

Okay I've heard enough!
It's a no-brainer for me now. I really didn't know the negatives of acrylic I've only heard the positives. But I'm really particular about the glass looking clean so if there is a scratch on it it's going to drive me crazy glass it is!
Thank you very much for speaking up!

hybridazn · Mar 29, 2015

But also keep in mind star fire glass is softer than standard glass so it scratches fairly easy as well. Not as easy as acrylic but it will scratch too none the less.

Skynyrd Fish · Mar 29, 2015

I've had an acrylic 125 by clarity plus for fifteen years. I do have a couple minor scratches. With that being said I use plastic scrapers and I put dobie pads on my magnets. They work well and no scratches. I also do not clean into the sand. I stay just above it. I'm pretty sure a dobie pad would work well with star fire.

If I was doing it again I would do star fire.

JVH · Mar 30, 2015

hybridazn said:
But also keep in mind star fire glass is softer than standard glass so it scratches fairly easy as well. Not as easy as acrylic but it will scratch too none the less.

Thanks! I will now avoid that as well... I am hoping I can get a rimless glass tank that will hold up!

Reefing Madness · Mar 30, 2015

I would not throw Starfire Glass so easily, its not going to scratch nearly as easily as acrylic, and its almost as clear as acrylic. Best of both worlds if you ask me.