Glass or Acrylic?

[Krixic]

So I used to make Aquaterrariums for fun in the past, have not made one in quite some time. But I got the bright idea to make them and possibly sell them as a sort of side income. I know this is not really reef related but was curious, if I were to make these and sell them locally, do yall think people would be more interested in Glass or Acrylic? And which would be more cost-effective if I were to build the tanks from scratch? And sorry if this is in the wrong place.

Mind you the picture I posted is not at all what I have made in the past, I just dont have any pictures to showcase my own tanks. Just trying to give a point of reference.

 

[GillMeister]

It seems most people in the hobby have settled on glass. Lightweight and some ability to be more creative with acrylic are a couple reasons to go with that material but until they figure out a way to make it scratch proof, glass is king.

I would have to guess on the costs, but I'm pretty sure really large acrylic tanks need much thicker materials than glass, and that gets expensive. You could probably say the inverse is true in smaller tanks. But, since I'm just speculating let's wait until the experts weigh in.

 

[Krixic]

It seems most people in the hobby have settled on glass. Lightweight and some ability to be more creative with acrylic are a couple reasons to go with that material but until they figure out a way to make it scratch proof, glass is king.

I would have to guess on the costs, but I'm pretty sure really large acrylic tanks need much thicker materials than glass, and that gets expensive. You could probably say the inverse is true in smaller tanks. But, since I'm just speculating let's wait until the experts weigh in.

Thanks for the input! these tanks wont be more than 10 gals if that. Very small footprint, perfect for a desktop or whatever

 

[Texas Rick]

Mmm, wish I went glass. I have a acrylic and it scratch’s. Don’t like that one bit.

 

[GillMeister]

Much easier to be creative with acrylic than glass at that size. I'd be cool to see what you can come up with.

 

[Krixic]

Mmm, wish I went glass. I have a acrylic and it scratch’s. Don’t like that one bit.

Seems like scratches are the main pitfall for Acrlylic.

 

[GillMeister]

Seems like scratches are the main pitfall for Acrlylic.

Yep! But darn near unbreakable. Overall, though, glass is still the best.

 

[Krixic]

Much easier to be creative with acrylic than glass at that size. I'd be cool to see what you can come up with.

Right now im just at a point of throwing ideas in the air (I have waaay too much time on my hands). Once I get things figured out I think I will start a build thread for it

 

[vetteguy53081]

I had no use for acrylic and swore that I will not own one U N T I L I got my drop off tank. Then came that " wait a second here- What scratches". Then in the hunt for a tank larger than the 360, I bought the bigger one in acrylic and Dont know if I can go back to glass for a larger tank. It was heavy due to volume but no heavier IMO that the 360g glass one I had.
The mighty magnets have been a blessing in being strong enough for inch and 1/4 thick acrylic without marring the acrylic !

 

[Krixic]

I had no use for acrylic and swore that I will not own one U N T I L I got my drop off tank. Then came that " wait a second here- What scratches". Then in the hunt for a tank larger than the 360, I bought the bigger one in acrylic and Dont know if I can go back to glass for a larger tank. It was heavy due to volume but no heavier IMO that the 360g glass one I had.
The mighty magnets have been a blessing in being strong enough for inch and 1/4 thick acrylic without marring the acrylic !

Interesting, at this point I may just see whats cheaper in the long run haha.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Interesting, at this point I may just see whats cheaper in the long run haha.

Glass may be but heavier and silicone construction.. I love the seamless look and the acrylic iss fused- Never heard of one busting at the seams and the acrylic also magnifies everything in the tank

 

[Texas Rick]

 

[GillMeister]

I had no use for acrylic and swore that I will not own one U N T I L I got my drop off tank. Then came that " wait a second here- What scratches". Then in the hunt for a tank larger than the 360, I bought the bigger one in acrylic and Dont know if I can go back to glass for a larger tank. It was heavy due to volume but no heavier IMO that the 360g glass one I had.
The mighty magnets have been a blessing in being strong enough for inch and 1/4 thick acrylic without marring the acrylic !

I think it would have to be much lighter than a similar sized glass tank. I was able to carry a 450 gallon, 10 ft long acrylic tank with my Son. It took 3 people to move my 240 glass tank.

You're probably a bit more careful with your acrylic than most people. Eventually it will get scratched, though, so prepare for disappointment.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I think it would have to be much lighter than a similar sized glass tank. I was able to carry a 450 gallon, 10 ft long acrylic tank with my Son. It took 3 people to move my 240 glass tank.

You're probably a bit more careful with your acrylic than most people. Eventually it will get scratched, though, so prepare for disappointment.

Had it 16 months now and none

 

[GillMeister]

Had it 16 months now and none

Awesome. Pics?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Awesome. Pics?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-newest-tank-660g-acrylic.560588/

 

[GillMeister]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-newest-tank-660g-acrylic.560588/

Wow. Just. Wow.

 

[JohnGP]

I've had both glass and acrylic and prefer acrylic. The "it scratches" thing isn't that big of a deal, be careful and if you do scratch it it's pretty easy to remove. I've scratched several of my tanks in the past and easily removed the scratches, matter of fact I put several scratches in my most recent tank when I was moving around my rock, just buffed them right out. You can even do it with water in the tank now days. One disadvantage is Urchins, they will scratch the crap out of them but I love it when I have to move a 140 and my wife and I can pick it up and move it by ourselves.