Glass or Acrylic

ShawnSaucier · Oct 1, 2017

If you were shopping for a XL (450+) size tank what would you choose and why?

jsker · Oct 1, 2017

Glass, for the clarity.

EriksOasis · Oct 1, 2017

Glass. A lot clearer and doesn’t scratch as easy as acrylic.

roberthu526 · Oct 2, 2017

Glass. I have never seen an old acrylic tank that is not scratched up like hell.

spiraling · Oct 2, 2017

low lead / starfire glass.

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 2, 2017

Glass, longer lasting, more clarity, more scratch resistance, easier to clean. My first tank was acrylic and I vowed after it to never have another acrylic tank.

EriksOasis · Oct 2, 2017

I had one acrylic tank and after a few years was scratched up really bad. I like glass because you can use a metal scraping blade to easily clean the glass.

sbidny · Oct 2, 2017

I'm not sure if folks are referring to some other measure for clarity, but acrylic is clearer than glass (even low iron glass). It is more prone to scratching, distortion, and yellowing over time, however, so those factors may affect clarity as it ages.

That being said, I prefer low iron glass, like Starphire, myself. I just wish it didn't weigh so much.

ShawnSaucier · Oct 3, 2017

Ive never had an acrylic tank, was just wondering what people thought..

andrew james · Oct 3, 2017

I think it totally depends on the tank and what youre using it for. A display in my living room im going to choose a low iron glass everytime. A large frag tank in my fish room id probably go acrylic and make it an indestructible tank.

ca1ore · Oct 3, 2017

I am in the process of upgrading from my current glass 265 to an acrylic 450. Buddy of mine has had an acrylic tank for many years, and while the occasional buffing is required for fine scratches, it is much clearer than even low iron glass and has not yellowed. It's pros and cons really. I'd judge an acrylic tank to be much stronger than a glass tank, and at that kind of volume, not having a seam go is a good thing. I went with acrylic primarily because of the weight. Empty, my 450 is 580 lbs; a comparably sized glass tank was in the 1,200-1,500 lb. range. Plus my kids are older now, and less likely to drag a toy across the front panel.

Elder1945 · Oct 3, 2017

As much as I love acrylic.... I now own a glass tank.

I just can not be bothered on the pain it is to clean large acrylic tanks.

DSC reef · Oct 3, 2017

Glass for strength and durability. Easy to maintain as well. As far as weight goes I'm not concerened with. I wouldn't personally set up anything over 300 gallons unless I knew it's staying in the house I put it in permanently. I've never fully trusted acrylic buts that's just my opinion.

sbidny · Oct 3, 2017

Again, just tossing this out to have correct info in this thread. In most cases, acrylic is stronger than glass. Some places say it is 16 to 17 times stronger at the same thickness. It has much better impact resistance.

That being said, to reiterate, I much prefer a low iron glass aquarium for a display tank.

andrew james · Oct 3, 2017

DSC reef said:
Glass for strength and durability.

I'm not sure that's a true statement. Do you have anything to support this?

Dogtown · Oct 3, 2017

Also consider that on large acrylic tanks, the thickness of the acrylic becomes a real issue. The magnets that hold common pumps in place are not always strong enough. I have a friend who put up an acrylic 550 gallon tank a couple of years ago and he regrets going with acrylic to this day. He swears that his next tank will be larger and this time made of low iron glass. It's something to consider.

DSC reef · Oct 3, 2017

andrew james said:
I'm not sure that's a true statement. Do you have anything to support this?

That's why I ended in my opinion. I trust what I've used and gave my opinion, I trust glass more. I never said it was fact, therefore not requiring support to back me up. Seen to many seam breaks on acrylic from crappy glue seams. I'm aware glass can break but after so many years I've never had any issues at all. Again, just my opinion.

andrew james · Oct 3, 2017

DSC reef said:
That's why I ended in my opinion. I trust what I've used and gave my opinion, I trust glass more.

Gotcha, wasnt trying to call you out or anything just generally interested.

DSC reef · Oct 3, 2017

andrew james said:
Gotcha, wasnt trying to call you out or anything just generally interested.

No worries at all. I understand. They can make acrylic bullet proof so I'm sure it's strong too. Lol

ca1ore · Oct 3, 2017

Dogtown said:
Also consider that on large acrylic tanks, the thickness of the acrylic becomes a real issue. The magnets that hold common pumps in place are not always strong enough. I have a friend who put up an acrylic 550 gallon tank a couple of years ago and he regrets going with acrylic to this day. He swears that his next tank will be larger and this time made of low iron glass. It's something to consider.

Yes, a very good point. Most glass tanks top out at 19 mm, which will work with many pumps. My new 450 is 1", so I'm limited to the bigger pumps. Though, frankly the smaller ones wouldn't cut it on a tank this size anyhow, so maybe not a big deal. I did want to use my two MP40 pumps, so had the tank maker 'thin' two spots on the rear wall. Means they can only go in those two spots though (hope I chose well).

I think a properly welded acrylic joint is going to be stronger that one held together with a thin strip of silicone rubber. The seams on my tank are so well done that it's impossible to even see the seam. Whether that makes it 17 time stronger or not, who knows.