Reefs.com - Saltwater Aquarium - Reef Aquarium
  • Why not take a moment to introduce yourself to our members?

Glass vs Acrylic

S

Sgterie076

Reefer
Manhattan Reefs
Location
Staten Island
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have decided to jump back in to the hobby. I had a real nice 55 mixed reef and gave it away 8 years ago.
I'm going to go with a 90 gallon (fish only for now). I am intrigued by the reef ready Acrylic tanks.

Any thoughts on Glass vs Acrylic?

Thanks!
 
B

bertyboy69

Advanced Reefer
Manhattan Reefs
Location
Staten Island
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
I feel like acrylic causes more problems in the long run , if you dont have it made by someone who is extremely good or gaurantees it for life , alot of acrylic tanks have bubbles in the seams and over time they will fail and acrylic is very expensive so its nit something you want to replace , though i do think that the acrylic is nicer for viewing purposes

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs
 
Greagzter

Greagzter

Advanced Reefer
Manhattan Reefs
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
63   0   0
I would love to have an acrylic tank instead of glass. Acrylic is stronger, lighter and clearer than glass. Unless its starphire glass then I think they are similar, though one might be clearer. Bubbles in the seam is a really bad job, and I dont know anyone who would purchase that seeing the bubbles. Nothing is for life-time, glass tanks will eventually leak and will need to be resealed, am not sure about the acrylic as it welds the two pieces and becomes one. Yes, it does scratch more easy than the glass, but acrylic could be buffed out just as easily. At the end of the day its a personal preference or budget.
 
G

greg 45

Advanced Reefer
Manhattan Reefs
Location
bayonne / nj
Rating - 100%
24   0   0
I have always had glass aquariums
The down side is if you want custom (this isn't bad)
I purchased 2 tanks 4 foot x 8 foot 16 inches tall from Rt 4 aquarium
I would never go back to glass again , clarity is awesome
Yes be careful cleaning you can scratch both glass and acrylic
Use the correct scraper on acrylic and you will befine
 
beastium

beastium

Advanced Reefer
Manhattan Reefs
Location
Bayside
Rating - 100%
57   0   0
Check out http://www.aquavim.com/OV bow.htm

Glass thats clearer than regular tempered glass used by everyone, no distortion, curved seamless that most people can only do in acrylic unless its custom, and more scratch resistant than starphire.
 

Attachments

  • image-5.jpg
    image-5.jpg
    75.6 KB · Views: 302
W

windingwater

New Reefer
Location
new jersey
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Glass weight does not matter, or matter only for 5 minutes during your installation. With water full, both glass tank and acrylic tank weigh about the same. Scratch would be a constant concern for acrylic. I'd rather choose glass over acrylic. If I want clearer glass, I'd choose Starphire glass or AquaVim glass.
 
D

DeeFromBrooklyn

Reef Nut
Location
BROOKLYN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Glass vs. Acrylic

As mentioned there are preferences. One factor you should consider is maintenance. Be ready to handle the cleaning both inside and out differently then the old school glass and this may require buffing. Glas is much more forgiving and affordable. Acrylic how ever is a bit lighter, comes in many shapes while being easier to drill and customize.

:fish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxtuxcm4occ
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsor Reefs

We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.

Click here to sponsor $10:


Top