Why I prefer acrylic over glass
- Thread starter Akida17th
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Adam @ArtFully Acrylic does great work. I've had a little 30 gal he made me for my office which was moved to the basement a few months ago. I've scratched it once with a magnet so now I don't use the magnet within a half inch of the sand bed. Now that being said it was move 40 miles to the office in the minivan. Sat in my office for a year then broke down moved scrubbed clean and set up again. The bottom looks rough but there are no other scratches. you will need to get your arm in there and clean the walls no other way to do it safely. I've seen the AIOs in person, they look way better than IM (had one of those too) and you have TONS of room in the rear chamber. I dug around in the ones he has in the shop to test it is a huge difference. In the IM I had a hard time getting at things at the bottom because it was so narrow. No problem at all with Adam's new tanks. I need to get over there to see the stocked drop off.
traumajeff
Active Member
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A buddy saw it at MACNA (I believe), and purchased one there. He has a couple of large systems (acrylic) that he wants to use it on. It is expensive, but he plans on renting it out to recoup some of the costs. I know one of our local reefers has used it with a good outcome. I plan on using it soon for my tank.
, I had only 1, gave away....glass for life
Lowell Lemon
2500 Club Member
It depends on the manufacturer and the use of cell cast acrylic or not. All aquariums should be made out of cell cast acrylic period. But many manufacturers in the past used lesser grade acrylics like extruded for some of the tops or bottoms. This can lead to seam or bottom failures somce the materials are not quite the same in density. Look at all the seams. If they are all still 'water clear' the tank should be fine. If the seams are white or look like a seperation has taken place then you should consider other alternatives. If the panels exhibit a wavey appearace from the side it may be extruded acrylic or continous cast which is not dense enough for aquarium use.
skydancer
Community Member
Why is that? I have many in mine...
Lionfish Lair
Renee
I've had urchins as well. Is there differing quality acrylic out there? One that is easier to scratch than the other? I was looking over my 210g yesterday, which is 6 years old, and there really isn't any scratches..... except the large one where my Dad hit it with a ladder. That would have scratched diamonds and probably should be described as a gouged trench.
d2mini
5000 Club Member
I know a lot of people love acrylic and that's cool. You can do so much with it compared to glass. But it's definitely not for me.
The worst part about acrylic for me (besides being easily scratched) is how porous it is. That's the best way I can think to describe it.
Algae sticks to acrylic like burs stick to my dog's fur. It's insane. I've had a few acrylic refugiums and frag tanks and I hate it every time. So hard to keep clean.
Then add to that how easy it is to scratch and it makes it even harder to keep clean.
Never would I have an acrylic display, no matter how clear it is.
The worst part about acrylic for me (besides being easily scratched) is how porous it is. That's the best way I can think to describe it.
Algae sticks to acrylic like burs stick to my dog's fur. It's insane. I've had a few acrylic refugiums and frag tanks and I hate it every time. So hard to keep clean.
Then add to that how easy it is to scratch and it makes it even harder to keep clean.
Never would I have an acrylic display, no matter how clear it is.
Lionfish Lair
Renee
I guess one thing that I'm seeing different is I don't find it hard to clean, as I do it before it gets to that stage. I don't let it build up, whether it be glass or acrylic.
It seems I had 15 tanks set up, 8 are acrylic and 7 are glass. All over 6 years old.
Used tank sale at my house!!!!!!
It seems I had 15 tanks set up, 8 are acrylic and 7 are glass. All over 6 years old.
Used tank sale at my house!!!!!!
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My last tank was acrylic and now I have glass....I loved the clean acrylic look especially with the rounded corners....issues were keeping it clean and scratches.....i did buy it used so it came with some but they eventually ruined the look of the tank...especially when algae was growing in the scratches.
Glass is also way easier to clean......just get one of those kent sticks with the blades....the metal ones are way better then the plastic. I can't tell much of a difference in clarity. The acrylic was 5/8 and my glass now is regular 1/2.
Overall I like glass better but they each have their place.
Glass is also way easier to clean......just get one of those kent sticks with the blades....the metal ones are way better then the plastic. I can't tell much of a difference in clarity. The acrylic was 5/8 and my glass now is regular 1/2.
Overall I like glass better but they each have their place.
aabjones888
Valuable Member
Glass for me, I've always liked the low iron glass/ ultra clear glass. I had a regular glass aquarium befor and it just wasn't the same. For me, The low iron/ ultra clear glass is real close to the clarity as acrylic.
Lionfish Lair
Renee
It's exciting, right!
Lionfish Lair
Renee
I wouldn't mind seeing pictures of that tank in your avatar!
I am a glass fan, but the weight isn't fun.
Fwiw every person in my local club that once had acrylic tanks has switched back to glass - except two that have them built in, but they both said to me they wished it was glass.
Fwiw every person in my local club that once had acrylic tanks has switched back to glass - except two that have them built in, but they both said to me they wished it was glass.
Midrats
Valuable Member
The weight seems like it would be the least of your concerns. You look like you should be wearing a kilt throwing a hammer in the Highland Games. I mean that as a high compliment Sir.
