Glass or acrylic

[tito_805]

What to get a bigger tank but not sure what to go with. Advanced acrylic has a 46 gallon tank i like but I’m worried about scratching it. On the other had I like the Fiji cube 43 gallon ext overflow tank aswell but I’ve seen bad reviews on them. Need help deciding.

 

[BOYERZ]

What to get a bigger tank but not sure what to go with. Advanced acrylic has a 46 gallon tank i like but I’m worried about scratching it. On the other had I like the Fiji cube 43 gallon ext overflow tank aswell but I’ve seen bad reviews on them. Need help deciding.

I have a glass 29 gallon mutiple scratches just over a year old.

I couldn't imagine the scratches on an acrylic the same size.

That being said, if I went with a large tank it would have to be acrylic.

 

[JNalley]

I will always vote glass. I have yet to scratch a glass tank, there are some algae's that are too hard to clean off without a razor sometimes, and glass is nearly distortion free (unless bowfront) whereas I can see every warble and distortion in an acrylic tank and it makes my head hurt.

 

[tito_805]

I will always vote glass. I have yet to scratch a glass tank, there are some algae's that are too hard to clean off without a razor sometimes, and glass is nearly distortion free (unless bowfront) whereas I can see every warble and distortion in an acrylic tank and it makes my head hurt.

I will always vote glass. I have yet to scratch a glass tank, there are some algae's that are too hard to clean off without a razor sometimes, and glass is nearly distortion free (unless bowfront) whereas I can see every warble and distortion in an acrylic tank and it makes my head hurt.

if I go with glass it’s hard to find a tank with the dimensions I’m looking for plus they really expensive, I thought about jst drilling into a standard 40L but I’ve never drilled into glass only metal.

 

[JNalley]

if I go with glass it’s hard to find a tank with the dimensions I’m looking for plus they really expensive, I thought about jst drilling into a standard 40L but I’ve never drilled into glass only metal.

what dimensions are you looking for?

 

[Peair]

What to get a bigger tank but not sure what to go with. Advanced acrylic has a 46 gallon tank i like but I’m worried about scratching it. On the other had I like the Fiji cube 43 gallon ext overflow tank aswell but I’ve seen bad reviews on them. Need help deciding.

Both tanks would be good, I like the Advanced acrylic 46 gal. better, I had a 55 gal Pro Clear acrylic cylinder running over ten years, and I never had scratches, I took good care of it, I used acrylic cleaner and protector on the outside, and I used a white non scratch scrub pay on the inside, the tank is in storage now from my move, but I will be setting it up again, I liked the tank a lot because acrylic is much lighter than glass, and it is much clearer.

 

[tito_805]

what dimensions are you looking for?

I’m looking for roughly 40x20x15

 

[tito_805]

Both tanks would be good, I like the Advanced acrylic 46 gal. better, I had a 55 gal Pro Clear acrylic cylinder running over ten years, and I never had scratches, I took good care of it, I used acrylic cleaner and protector on the outside, and I used a white non scratch scrub pay on the inside, the tank is in storage now from my move, but I will be setting it up again, I liked the tank a lot because acrylic is much lighter than glass, and it is much clearer.

Buy chance have u used the mighty magnet ?

 

[JNalley]

I’m looking for roughly 40x20x15

Hmm, that's sort of shallow, it's nearing frag tank depths. Any particular reason? My preferred tank size in this class is 36 x 24 x 24 (90 Gallons) because it's really versatile. Deeper tanks allow you to run a mixed reef pretty easily. Shallow tanks you generally have to choose between SPS dom or LPS dom.

 

[JNalley]

This is for a 48 x 20 x 20, close to your dimensions, but a little longer and deeper than you may want: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...of-2024-whose-looking-for-a-new-tank.1037349/

 

[Peair]

Both tanks would be good, I like the Advanced acrylic 46 gal. better, I had a 55 gal Pro Clear acrylic cylinder with sump running over ten years, and I never had scratches, I took good care of it, I used acrylic cleaner and protector on the outside, and I used a white non scratch scrub pay on the inside, the tank is in storage now from my move, but I will be setting it up again, I liked the tank a lot because acrylic is much lighter than glass, and it is much clearer.

Buy chance have u used the mighty magnet ?

No I have not used any magnet, I used to use Fritze acrylic cleaner and polish on the outside, and it puts Coats on the acrylic making it harder to scratch, and I think the product is still around today. I would like to find out if your mighty magnet would work and be safe on the inside.

 

[tito_805]

Hmm, that's sort of shallow, it's nearing frag tank depths. Any particular reason? My preferred tank size in this class is 36 x 24 x 24 (90 Gallons) because it's really versatile. Deeper tanks allow you to run a mixed reef pretty easily. Shallow tanks you generally have to choose between SPS dom or LPS dom.

Yeah it is on the shallow side, I want a lagoon style tank. Right now I got a softy tank and I want to jst expand on it. I love zoas and gsp, also the pulsating xeina.

 

[JNalley]

Yeah it is on the shallow side, I want a lagoon style tank. Right now I got a softy tank and I want to jst expand on it. I love zoas and gsp, also the pulsating xeina.

nothing wrong with that, I was just curious That's the cool thing about this hobby, everyone can find a lane that they like!

 

[tito_805]

nothing wrong with that, I was just curious That's the cool thing about this hobby, everyone can find a lane that they like!

This is the one I’m currently leaning towards the dimensions are 40x18x15. And I agree this hobby is amazing and has a wide range of options.

 

[Peair]

This is the one I’m currently leaning towards the dimensions are 40x18x15. And I agree this hobby is amazing and has a wide range of options.

I like it that it has filter socks on both sides, I just like built in filter socks on my aquariums.

 

[fltt]

Buy chance have u used the mighty magnet ?

I have a 240g advanced acrylic, it has been setup for 3 years love it. The mighty magnet (not cheap) but works great, just stay away from the sand. I use a plastic scrapper close to the sand and on Coraline algea.

 

[AquaLogic]

A well made acrylic tank is never going to leak, fail, or need resealing. I would rather have a scratch than a leak.

 

[fltt]

A well made acrylic tank is never going to leak, fail, or need resealing. I would rather have a scratch than a leak.

If you get a scratch on an Acrylic tank it can be removed. If you scratch glass it's there forever.
If the glass is low iron then it will scratch easier than regular glass. Acrylic is way clearer and than glass and low iron.

 

[Freenow54]

Buy chance have u used the mighty magnet ?

I bought an aqueous scrubber that comes with interchangeable pads. One for glass the other for acrylic. As mentioned with glass you have to use a razor after using the pad. I use utility knife blade. Warning if you have a clown put on a glove as they will attack you. Mine broke the skin. The female lol. I did not even know different tanks existed. Always went on design alone. Really have no preference except be aware a lot of equipment lights in particular are made for rimless tanks

 

[Freenow54]

dang spell check Aqueon