Acrylic tanks are more expensive than glass...But they are very strong and less likely to crack, much lighter than glass....Acrylic is also a pain though, b/c they scratch very easily (when scraping algae) ..... repairing scrathes in a large tank can be a pain..especially if you have agressive fish in there that can bite or sting you...
I have acrylic and glass, I like them both the same, I kinda like the acrylic better because not as heavy, won't crack like glass, but I have scratched it very easily so its not easy trying to remove algae. Also cost more. But I like both pretty well.
acrylic, does not crack, but scratches, is lighter but more $$
Glass, is jsut he opposite on all counts
IMO, in Cali or any earth quake area, go with acrylic b/c of these factors
anywhere else, I would get glass instead
JMO
I have had an acrylic 300 gal for about 3 months, and if I could do it over I would go back to glass. Way to easy to scratch, and a pain to clean due to the openings in the top.
As long as you have a very level stand, and help to carry the glass tank, I think it's much nicer.
Find a lumber pro and build you a dream tank! You can find 400 gallon tank built with plywood lumbers and the only one front side is glass. Glass is one of the expensive of projection; As much as X6 times or greater much cheaper than Acrylic tanks for that 300+ gallon tanks caterogy.
Just a friendly suggestion.....Check that out.
By the way if you are sticking for 125 gallon-only and I would go for glass if for the ecomonic reason. You can find a nice combo tank (tank, glass cover, and cheap strip hood) for less than $400 range. So why waste money paying $800 for just a tank from acrylic?
You decide, Good luck.