Why I prefer acrylic over glass

eatbreakfast · Dec 18, 2015

Akida17th said:
scratches build up on glass too lol and I'm aware glass is more resilient

...but glass IS more resistant to scratching. Plus, even though it is possible to buff out scratches, anytime I have seen a tankthat has been buffed there is a degree of distortion.

Akida17th · Dec 18, 2015

Maybe users should take the time to plan out exactly how to prevent these "scratches" from happening such as aquascaping etc. Most these scratches are user error that you speak of. It's not like the tank is scratching itself lol.

bobbyM · Dec 18, 2015

Nano 50 gallon?

Low iron is the way to go. Many companies are making them affordable. Like Planet Aquarium and Innovative Marine.

Akida17th · Dec 18, 2015

I was pondering the innovative marine but I wanted to try acrylic and see how it goes plus I supported an R2R vendor, Artfully Arylic, which is a bonus for me.

revhtree · Dec 18, 2015

Beautiful anemone!

Lionfish Lair · Dec 18, 2015

MACNA 2016 is in my area..... you need to come see my 15 year old acrylic tank and tell me how many scratches it has. It doesn't need to be as such, because mine is not. But really, what are y'all doing to get a plethora of scratches in your tank?

bobbyM · Dec 18, 2015

Someone needs to develop something that prevents algae from growing. Then I'll buy an acrylic tank.

eatbreakfast · Dec 18, 2015

Akida17th said:
Maybe users should take the time to plan out exactly how to prevent these "scratches" from happening such as aquascaping etc. Most these scratches are user error that you speak of. It's not like the tank is scratching itself lol.

Most users would prefer spending less time doing algae and other tank maintenance, not more.

bobbyM · Dec 18, 2015

Wiping algae off.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 18, 2015

Akida17th said:
Maybe users should take the time to plan out exactly how to prevent these "scratches" from happening such as aquascaping etc. Most these scratches are user error that you speak of. It's not like the tank is scratching itself lol.

Cardboard is your friend...... there is lots of materials that can be used to protect during this process. If the tank has water, it would be to be waterproof, of course.

While cleaning you wipe down only and then lift off the scraper or whatever. Don't go up and down just in case there's a rock. That's not extra maintenance, it's just a different way of doing it.

eatbreakfast · Dec 18, 2015

Lionfish Lair said:
MACNA 2016 is in my area..... you need to come see my 15 year old acrylic tank and tell me how many scratches it has. It doesn't need to be as such, because mine is not. But really, what are y'all doing to get a plethora of scratches in your tank?

I've observed a lot of acrylic tanks. Sure there are some that are relatively scratch free, but those are the exception. The VAST majority are noticeabley scratched. There are a number of reasons given as to why the scratches, from kids, to sand in the magnet, in some cases certain fish biting it. None of them planned on scratching it, yet it still happened.

ngvu1 · Dec 18, 2015

Not much different ;-); It is more like a marketing thing IMO. I have had both and TBO, I disagree with the "day and night" difference statement that many reefers told me when comparing regular glass and star fire glass.

Lionfish Lair said:
I would love to see a starfire tank. I've never actually seen one filled, that I'm aware of.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 18, 2015

And yet I still prefer them over glass.........

ngvu1 · Dec 18, 2015

It is very hard to keep the acrylic tank scratch free. The first year maybe...After that......scratches every where.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 18, 2015

ngvu1 said:
Not much different ;-); It is more like a marketing thing IMO. I have had both and TBO, I disagree with the "day and night" difference statement that many reefers told me when comparing regular glass and star fire glass.

When you get it filled, it doesn't look to different then? How about with photography? Any difference?

Lionfish Lair · Dec 18, 2015

There are people who see more cons with acrylic. There are people who see more cons with glass. The end. It really is a preference of what you deem important and/or desirable.

mtfish · Dec 18, 2015

On small tanks there is not much difference in regular glass versus low iron glass. But on bigger tanks, big difference. The glass on my tank is 3/4 inch low iron and there is a difference. Back to OP, I am in the glass tank side of the debate for the reasons stated above.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 18, 2015

I think we turned the poor OPs decision into an unsolicited debate....

Sorry......

EDIT: That anemone is gorgeous!!

ngvu1 · Dec 18, 2015

We only care when there is a reef inside the glass walls right? People claim the star fire glass is more clear than the regular glass. Yes a little bit, but not a huge difference like they claim "day and night"