Acrylic or Glass that is the question!

[kajung2k]

I have to make a decision.. Do I go glass or acrylic

The tank size: 72 Long x 30 Wide x 24 High
Both Euro braced at 4.5" or 5" around -- no cross brace

Acrylic would be : 1/2" Top, 3/4" Sides and 3/8" bottom

Glass would be: not sure, but.. thick enough to be safe, 3 side starphire


Now the obvious: Glass doesn't scratch as easy, and Acrylic Does
-------------------------------------------------------

I have a tunze wavemaker and I plan on putting another one in. The acrylic would have an external overflow vs. the glass would not.

THanks,

kaj

 

[coachfraley]

FWIW, I have an acrylic tank...my next tank will be glass. It is just much easier to clean glass, without scratching that is.

 

[socaltropicalfish]

glass.....cheaper and stronger
acrylic...lighter, easy to scratch but more expensive. You can sleep better with acrylic.

I say have both...LOL

 

[kajung2k]

so your not worried about the seals breaking on a glass, and it leaking?

 

[kajung2k]

tom -- i thought acrylic is 10x's stronger.. at least that's what I read everywhere else

 

[socaltropicalfish]

Kevin - forget about Tom he doesn't know what he was taking about...LOL

stronger meaning harder to get scratch.

 

[socaltropicalfish]

You should go check out my display tank, less than 1 year, no sand.....and it scratch so bad.

 

[AeroD79]

i pick glass over acrylic.

Unless u worry too much about glass breaking and cracking.

Acrylic tend to look old over time.

 

[kajung2k]

Umm.. which display tank are you referring to? i'll stop by sooner rather than later to see.. of course I don't have kids.. [not till august] putting stickers on my tank! haha

AeroD79 --- yeah.. i'm really worried about glass breaking/cracking or seals breaking

 

[SavetheReef]

i am an acrylic guy but true glass is easier to clean. but then again i am scrared of it busting open. And yes acrylic is more stronger but then again it matters on who is making it and if they do a good job on the seams

But you cant beat starfire glass

 

[therapy]

glass all the way, but yeah I dont sleep so good at night ! I have already had the center brace fail on my glass tank

 

[Aquafrags]

Glass all the way. When I had a acrylic tank, i cringed everytime I had to clean the front.

 

[Letsgotothezoo]

Glass of course...all the way. But sump...must be acrylic.

Kevin,
What happen to that tank that you bought from Charlie, the fishtankfactory ?

Did he replace the tank for you ? I hope so....

 

[kajung2k]

David -- -let me make this as clear as I can.. for anyone and everyone. Charlie has been great. His customer service is second to none. He has taken care of me, and its appreciated.

I'm looking to get a new tank, and I have decided on either going with LeeMar, or Advance Acrylic.

I keep pointing to acrylic for safety but then I'm stuck on scratching part. I don't mind cleaning two sides and front once a week, I just don't like getting my arms all wet all the time.

At least with the glass I can use the magnet on the outside. Do they have magnets for acrylic that work as good as a plastic scraper would? -- Anyone?

Kaj

 

[coachfraley]

FME, the standard magnets are not strong enough for thick acrylic. Maybe there are some special magfloats that I don't know about.

 

[jlt23]

I hear might mangets work great for acrylic. I will be giving them a try when I upgrade. By the way the magnets are very strong and with an acrylic tank I would not leave the magnets in the tank just in case a small snail crawls under it.

 

[kajung2k]

Okay -- well by the looks of everything.. I'm probably going with acrylic. Now I need to decide the thickness.. here are my two choices:

3/4" All Around or...
1/2" Top, 3/4" Sides, 3/8" bottom

obviously 3/4" all around would be preferred, but its getting more and more expensive. Anyone have any thoughts of the thickness vs. bowing on a 225 gallon tank?

 

[jlt23]

I'm planning a 180G and I'm going to let the manufacturer recommend the thickness, then I will give my input. I'm thinking of leaning towards 3/4" all the way around to prevent bowing. It will be eurobraced.

 

[reef_doug]

Green float glass is stronger then Starphire because of the iron content but no where as clear as Acrylic & Starphire. My vote is acrylic for anything 180g+.

SoCal Creations built my 72x24x24 with 3/4 all around.... it's built like a TANK! No way would I consider 3/8" bottom or even 1/2" top for a 225, go 3/4" all the way! It's worth the peace of mind and better sleep. Make sure they use a domestic cell cast like Spartech or similar (instead of imported extruded).

Scratches on acrylic can be removed with the micromesh kit. Scratches in Starphire are permanent.

 

[kajung2k]

reef doug -- thanks for your opinion. Its appreciated. 3/4" all the way around.. also.. they have an option to "polish" it.. do you or anyone know what they are exactly referring to. ?