Glass or Acrylic?

[vetteguy53081]

Have 2 tanks of acrylic for which I was deadly afraid of scratching. Never again will I get glass. Super easy to manage. Everything looks magnified and always so clear.

 

[LadyMac]

I prefer glass. I like how light acrylic is, I like how clear it can be. But I’m not gentle and so they scratch too often. I used acrylic for most of my beanies for the bettas. Having to scrub them out when washing them would always scratch. Not an issue with jars others don’t see, but for displays, it’s awful.

 

[albano]

Almost Impossible to get coralline off acrylic never again glass only for me

Not true, and please note that coralline left on glass can ‘etch’ into the glass and permanently distort it

 

[JRAD]

My last glass tank cracked and drained water from the second floor to the first. My wife was so angry I’m lucky to be alive. I have had several acrylic tanks since then. I have to be careful not to scratch when cleaning but I can live with that. I like how lightweight acrylic is. My main tank is only 30 gallons, but I had it custom made out of 1/2 inch acrylic and it is very strong. I paid more than I would have for glass, but I feel it was worth it.

 

[hllb]

Acrylic seems to be harder to find these days then when I had custom tanks made 15 yrs ago. Why is that?

 

[Ethirtysix]

Glass is great not worried about scratching as much it is possible to scratch but a lot harder to do. I like my acrylic I have now but spent a lot of time buffing out the scratches but it’s still a great tank just super careful cleaning it

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Becauae it is very expensive and there is a broader range of glass tanka available now. Im a DIY guy so i like to build my own acrylic tanks

 

[samson78945]

Still going back and forth between the two. I did reach out to A.G.E to get a quote on their hybrid tanks.

When you ask an acrylic tank builder, acrylic is the superior choice.
When you ask a glass builder, glass is the much better choice.

First tank was a 90 glass. Looking at going much larger, 48" L x 24" W x 48" H.

 

[cvrle1]

Still going back and forth between the two. I did reach out to A.G.E to get a quote on their hybrid tanks.

When you ask an acrylic tank builder, acrylic is the superior choice.
When you ask a glass builder, glass is the much better choice.

First tank was a 90 glass. Looking at going much larger, 48" L x 24" W x 48" H.

48" height will make it almost impossible to clean unles tank will be sitting on the ground. You would need to get into the tank in order to reach the bottom to clean it, move stuff around and so on if tank will be sitting on any sort of normal height stand

 

[samson78945]

48" height will make it almost impossible to clean unles tank will be sitting on the ground. You would need to get into the tank in order to reach the bottom to clean it, move stuff around and so on if tank will be sitting on any sort of normal height stand

That was my initial thought. The spot where it is going is limited in length and width. I am trying to maximize tank volume by going taller.

 

[Whispers]

Not true, and please note that coralline left on glass can ‘etch’ into the glass and permanently distort it

Very true I had a 135 truvu tank and it was the worst to get coralline off this was my experience with acrylic who are you to say that’s not true?

 

[albano]

Very true I had a 135 truvu tank and it was the worst to get coralline off this was my experience with acrylic who are you to say that’s not true?

My point was that IME, coraline left on glass will do more damage than coraline left on acrylic. This is my experience having switched to mostly acrylic tanks since 1991.

 

[lapin]

The issue you have with both concerning coraline, is keep the panes clean on a regular basis.
It is much easier to do regular maintaince cleaning of anything than to do restorative cleaning.

 

[ca1ore]

When you ask an acrylic tank builder, acrylic is the superior choice.
When you ask a glass builder, glass is the much better choice.

Of course, that's why each uses the material they use!

Pros and cons are pretty well established at this point, so it really comes down to your own priorities. If you are not careful, or able to be careful, then an acrylic tank will be full of scratches. That's a non starter for many folks, though I do suspect that many of the opinions you get come from folks just parroting what they've heard rather than actually having owned an acrylic tank. Acrylic tanks are clearer, stronger and lighter, but they scratch more easily and may discolor or bow over time. I tend to prefer glass for smaller tanks; acrylic for larger tanks. Price seems about on par at the larger sizes.

My current 450 is acrylic. It's been up for two years and there are no scratches on the front because I am very careful. A few minor ones on one end where I use a veggie mag and not particularly careful, but that's not a big deal to me.

 

[samson78945]

Of course, that's why each uses the material they use!

Pros and cons are pretty well established at this point, so it really comes down to your own priorities. If you are not careful, or able to be careful, then an acrylic tank will be full of scratches. That's a non starter for many folks, though I do suspect that many of the opinions you get come from folks just parroting what they've heard rather than actually having owned an acrylic tank. Acrylic tanks are clearer, stronger and lighter, but they scratch more easily and may discolor or bow over time. I tend to prefer glass for smaller tanks; acrylic for larger tanks. Price seems about on par at the larger sizes.

My current 450 is acrylic. It's been up for two years and there are no scratches on the front because I am very careful. A few minor ones on one end where I use a veggie mag and not particularly careful, but that's not a big deal to me.

Right now I am in the planning stages of a 48" L x 24" W x 48" H. Doing a lot of research on both. I reached out to A.G.E to get a quote on their hybrid tank. We will see about that one.

 

[albano]

Right now I am in the planning stages of a 48" L x 24" W x 48" H.

I’m 100% for an acrylic tank, but either way, are you sure that you want a 4’ tall tank? So hard to clean, and even harder to place rocks or coral in.

 

[lapin]

Right now I am in the planning stages of a 48" L x 24" W x 48" H. Doing a lot of research on both. I reached out to A.G.E to get a quote on their hybrid tank. We will see about that one.

Be sure you get one that will support your weight when leaning over the sides, to place rocks or do maintenance.

 

[Whispers]

I would not do 48 height

 

[samson78945]

I’m 100% for an acrylic tank, but either way, are you sure that you want a 4’ tall tank? So hard to clean, and even harder to place rocks or coral in.

The in-wall area that the tank would go limits my length and width. I was going taller to increase water volume. I would have the same issue even with a 36" tank and I think it wouldn't look right. The ceiling is taller in that room and would have 4 feet of empty space above. But I really appreciate the input. Anything else you can think of would be great!

 

[samson78945]

I would not do 48 height

How come you wouldn't go that tall?