Acrylic or Glass?

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shouse

Guest
This question has been rackin my brain. I really am fond of acrylic because it's very transparent and the ease of drilling holes. I like the rounded corners but could live w/o those.
My main thing against glass tanks is the hardness of drilling holes and i've heard u can get a greenish/bluish tint to the glass the bigger and thicker u go.
I know there are negative sides to acrylic (scratches easier, can possibly bow, more expensive).
the only thing i'm worried about the most is the expense.
The cost of acrylic seems to be outrageous. Glasscages prices are nice but his design on how he makes acrylic tanks are not pleasing me. Seems he uses a brace and a smaller thickness of acrylic for his tanks.
Can anyone reccomend a place i can go online, or in FL to get a good acrylic tank for a decent price? looking for a 90 gal. Also if anyone wants to add their inputs on acrylic or glass would be great as well. ALl comments very welcome, even on glasscages acrylic tanks. THANKS!, maybe i can sleep tonight w/o this question haunting me.
 
humuhumu

humuhumu

Member
I have several tanks. My 240g is acrylic, if I could do it over I would opt for a glass tank. The ease of scratching is always an issue, but the biggest problem or disadvantage, is the bracing on the top limits where you can place equipment and makes working in the aquarium more difficult.
 
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starfishjackedme

Guest
Ever tried to move a glass 200+ gallon aquarium? It isn't fun. Forget about doing it by yourself, maybe 2 powerlifters could dead lift it. If you move more than once every 10 years acrylic is worth it in weight savings alone. I will never buy another large glass tank.
 
fishcake

fishcake

Member
pfft.... get acrylic if you are lazy and don't feel like flexing some muscle every few years I SAY GLASS!
 
zemuro114

zemuro114

Member
acrylic is cheaper... much cheaper, if you don't get lowiron or starphire glass. For larger tanks i would go acrylic.. you don't hear to many stories about acrylic tanks giving out and spilling 100s of gallons of water everywhere do you now? I believe acrylic is the way to go
 
reefeel

reefeel

Member
I have a acrylic and will never go back to glass again. It may scratch easy but the scratchs can be taken out and aren't seen as much well. The thermal insultaion is a big plus. Our house temp is around 68 degrees in winter and I have a 100 watt heater in my tank that keeps my tank at a steady 78.5. I also unplugged my heater by accedint and my mom had the windows open during the night 50 degrees and my tank only dropped 6 degrees. I concur with zemuro114 on the whole big tanks letting loose-acrylic tanks are warrented for life while glass are 10-20 years and the still break.
 
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shouse

Guest
man i just keep going back and forth. I think starphire is out of the question unless i go through glasscages.com which their reputation is VERY shaady.(many bad reports of wrong designs, BAD silicone jobs, and chipped holes). I love the low price but not the rumors. I cant help to think i get what i pay for there. Im not asking for the best tank in the world, just a step up from AGA.
I keep hearing crap about acrylic how it's so easy to scratch like getting gravel stuck in the magnet. Well imo u have to treat an acrylic tank like a new car, u just can be makin mistakes like that. It's also very easy to drill which saves me a lot of money on doing all the custom holes i want.(want the squirt plumbed straight into the tank.) Also the warranty, being able to repair the scratches, the transparet look, and the high resale value cant be beat. All imo however,....which is never owning one. My parents had one when i was growing up(Tru VU). Both goign on 30 years and they both look amazing, mind u they arent doing Reef however. A local shop owner in Orlando told me that u cant tell much of a diff. b/t Starphire and float glass but i REALLY disagree, even on a 90g tank. I think the difference is enormous, just can't say the extra cost is justified. What would u think the highest price you would pay on a 90g acrylic b4 deeming it not worth the price? So far i can get a AGA 90g drilled for $240. Thanks all for those who posted.
 
zemuro114

zemuro114

Member
if all you want is a 90 gallon then go for the usual pet-co or local pet store 90. If custom is option for bigger (125-up special dimensions) then i would go acrylic. Starphire glass is more then 1000 dollars more on my next set up of 630 gallons. I can be extra careful to save me 1000 dollars. Also, you can get the clear cover guards for tanks (like those for cars to prevent chips on paint from rocks)
 
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