Why not acrylic?????

[BigKid4788]

I currently have 178 gallon (48x36x22) glass tank. It holds mostly SPS corals and a few clams. I'm planning a new build and wanted to hear arguments against acrylic tanks. I currently run a bare bottom tank so I don't know if scratches would be an issue. It will only be viewed from the front (placed in a wall). Cost is going to be very similar. I know acrylic is stronger, clearer, lighter and more forgiving IF I drop something. Thanks for your input!

 

[hybridazn]

It honestly just comes down to which one you prefer, this day and age glass is almost as clear as acrylic and we'll built glass tanks look just as nice.

 

[BigKid4788]

Looking at quality glass tank builders (planet/miracles) but looking at long term strength of seams

 

[Va_Reef]

Its a lot harder to scratch glass.

 

[GoVols]

Its a lot harder to scratch glass.

+1

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I don't have arguments against acrylic because I love my acrylic tank. The edges are so sexy. You need to ask yourself if you are the "bull in a China shop" type. I'm super careful, so scratches aren't an issue I worry about. If my husband participated in the maintenance of the tank, it would be scratched to pieces.

 

[Robert Vacchiano]

Had a 600 gallon acrylic some years ago it was a saltwater fish and live rock.Not sure I could have keep it nice if it was a reef with the intense lighting. Would stick with glass if it is a reef

 

[BigKid4788]

I don't have arguments against acrylic because I love my acrylic tank. The edges are so sexy. You need to ask yourself if you are the "bull in a China shop" type. I'm super careful, so scratches aren't an issue I worry about. If my husband participated in the maintenance of the tank, it would be scratched to pieces.

Do you have a reef tank? Any issues with coralline because of the acrylic being softer. I am regimented in my cleaning. Every week I clean like clockwork.

 

[Y2KReef]

The only downside to acrylic is it scratches like warm butter!!!

 

[shoelaceike]

Scratches, scratches, scratches. Did I mention scratches?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Y'all are bulls. LOL!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Do you have a reef tank? Any issues with coralline because of the acrylic being softer. I am regimented in my cleaning. Every week I clean like clockwork.

Yes, I have a reef tank. I don't let coralline grow on the sides. That's actually very important, IMO. If you let it grow on there, you may very well scratch it when trying to remove it. If you're the type that maybe don't clean the panels as often as you "should", you may indeed have problems. I don't mean that in a bad way

 

[Robert Vacchiano]

I would go with glass on a reef it is a lot of work to keep clean and just to easy to scratch acrylic in my opinion

 

[Lionfish Lair]

One thing to consider where I live is earthquakes. I've known 2 times the front panel slide right off the tank during a shake shake shake.

 

[GoVols]

One thing to consider where I live is earthquakes. I've known 2 times the front panel slide right off the tank during a shake shake shake.

LOL

 

[Rick.45cal]

One thing to consider where I live is earthquakes. I've known 2 times the front panel slide right off the tank during a shake shake shake.

 

[Va_Reef]

I'm pretty careful but I can't imagine the damage my parrotfish would do to an acrylic tank trying to scrape algae.

 

[Triggreef]

Scratches scratches. I'd never buy acrylic. Except for a limited use frag tank.

 

[GoVols]

Watch this and replace... "Wire Hangers" with "Scratches"

 

[hart24601]

So there were a number of large acrylic reef tanks made (or delivered) in my area ~10 years ago maybe bit longer. Must have been the trend at that time. Talking with my reef club members that have or inherited these tanks not a single person would get acrylic again for a reef. Too many scratches and too big of pain to buff.