acrylic tank holders...i figured out how to remove scratchs PERFECTLY

[msd2]

Im not gonna say much about the debate you guys have going here but add a few comments on ways to remove scratches. There are kits u can get that are wet/dry sandpaper of varying grits. I simply wrapped it around my magnetic cleaner and can go across the acrlyic anywhere in the tank w/it full of water. Totally safe since your removing very little matieral and acrylic is safe.
I have had both glass and acrlyic I personally like acrylic for several reasons. Its much stronger, takes a lot more abuse before failing, transmitts more light through so you have better clarity as seeing your watery freinds, is much lighter (great if your moving it, or concerned about it falling through the floor of an apartment), insulates better so it keeps the temp more consistant, and is workable if u want to add an overflow, drill a hole etc. Glass offers more scratch resistance and can handle excessive heat better you also get more top access.
I don't have kids but I do live in a loft here in SF and a lot of ppl come and go w/parties not an uncommon event. There have been a few times there have been some minor scratches that buff right out. I personally think its a misbelief that acrlyic is hard to keep up or that easy to scratch. For the outside of the tank I found meguairs 2 step plastic polish (usually used for cars to do an amazing job at bringing a great, smooth finished polish look to the outside of the tank. ( I found this stuff when I used to drive a z3 w/a plastic window in the rear).

 

[jer4916]

arn't bmw's great ...i have 2, 325i's ....
I think push comes to shove people who like nicer things dont mind spending the extra money on acrylic

 

[msd2]

Originally Posted by Jer4916
arn't bmw's great ...i have 2, 325i's ....
I think push comes to shove people who like nicer things dont mind spending the extra money on acrylic

hehe ur gonna hate me for this but ironically enough the plastic window was one of my biggest complaints on the z3 so I traded it in for a mb slk. The Z was a fun car but its hard to beat a hardtop convertible So in this case I preferred glass over plastic/acrylic

but in fairness I am seriously thinking of going back to a plastic window in the boxster S, so maybe there is a way for me to save face still

 

[jer4916]

i was joking i ref, to people who have money like expensive things, and people who cant afford them either down the expensive products...or they get jelious of those who can buy it.
hence people who fuss about glass vs. acrylic
or ford vs. bmw

 

[who dey]

Originally Posted by Jer4916
i was joking i ref, to people who have money like expensive things, and people who cant afford them either down the expensive products...or they get jelious of those who can buy it.
hence people who fuss about glass vs. acrylic
or ford vs. bmw
well at least a tank will hold it's value somewhat after 20 years unlike your bmw or any overpriced car for that matter. not a jealousy thing, a logical thing. I just love buying some thing that loses 10% of it's value after the 1st mile

 

[evilbob22]

Don't take it personally, I couldn't help myself....
Originally Posted by Jer4916
i was joking i ref, to people who have money like expensive things, and people who cant afford them either down the expensive products...or they get jelious of those who can buy it.
hence people who fuss about glass vs. acrylic
or ford vs. bmw
Do you get jealous of people that spell correctly?
(I had to look it up to be sure I was spelling "jealous" correctly )

 

[msd2]

LOL, u gotta be kidding about ur tank having value after 20yrs right? Even top notch equipment only goes for 1/2 to 1/3 its new counterpart after a year or two. A fully loaded reef tank might sell for 700-900 bucks, not sure about you but I have spent considerably more than that. I don't think any of us get into this hobby to save money. I would never expect to get a good return on hobbies. I use them to unwind from work whether it be working on the tank or turning a wrench on the roadster. The portfolio is for investments, the cars and tanks are for fun. The same reason we are all on this board in the first place, to have fun and share knowledge so lets get back to that!

 

[who dey]

agreed

 

[jer4916]

normally spelling would be considered an issue, but english is my 3rd langauge. so i would say im doing farely well considering my status.
~chris

 

[andretti]

People, settle this on the Jerry Springer show, or Dr. Phil. :jumping: There are a lot more serious things to be concerned about than rounded corners or how many men it takes to move something.

 

[jer4916]

i agree, i have an acrylic 125 and a GLASS 55,...i have both..i like acrylic better, you like another better....lets just all kiss and make up
hahaha

 

[evilbob22]

True, the whole point of this post is "Hey look, I found a great way to remove scratches if you have an acrylic tank", not "I can remove scratches from my acrylic so now they are definitely the best out there".
On a side note: 3rd language? I'm impressed... you speak it well enough that I assumed it was your 1st.

 

[jer4916]

I speak German First, Then English, and Greek last, im also working on Hebrew and French..i know enough there where i could get around, but im not fluent ...so i dont claim to speak it yet. Give me 4 years and i will!

 

[kaotik]

i was joking i ref, to people who have money like expensive things, and people who cant afford them either down the expensive products...or they get jelious of those who can buy it.
Youre full of $h17! Didnt you just say that you got it used for $550. Thats less than I paid for my glass tank!! Sounds like youre the one that cant afford the expensive stuff!

 

[jer4916]

i got the acrylic tank, can, stand and ecosystem filter for $550 ..i got HOOKED UP. The filter alone is worth $799 the tank/stand/can cost the guy $1700 .. so yeah i got hooked up.
im not stupid enough to pay full price for anything..i always buy expensive things, but buy them cheap... ..how ya gotta do it man!

 

[kaotik]

i agree...its just your talking so much crap like only rich people can afford acrylic and its SO much better than glass, when all it really comes down to is personal preference! They both have their pros and cons.

 

[tizzo]

I think somebody with an endless pocket would want "different", like a big round tank in the foyer or a corner shaped tank in the dining room. That would be why I would think a person with more money would get an acrylic tank, not because the actual material is better. It really is a personal preference!! I am in the process of gathering what I need for a 280 or 300 gallon reef so money is not an issue for me (right now, space is), but I am still going with glass. I like nicer things too so I'm getting a bigger tank. As far as acrylic though, it's not for me. I like it, I just like glass better.

 

[spanky]

Yep, cost has NOTHING to do with any of this. :jumping: - and it's silly to suggest otherwise.
Sheeeesh. The difference between a 150 glass and a 150 plastic is only a few hundred bucks - about 5% of the final cost of the whole system with the rocks, critters and other goodies.
On the car front: I don't think the attitude towards BMW owners has anything to do with jealousy. I think it's got to be something else. Frankly, they're not that expensive - especially the Zs and the 3 series. We looked at both for my wife, and they were MUCH less money than a nice Toyota Sequoia, Chevy Suburban, or many of the other unremarkable non-status-symbols. Heck, my last Ford diesel pickup truck had a factory sticker that was about $8K higher than the loaded 3 series BMW my wife liked! The really funny thing is the Ford truck held it value better after several years of use!
Nope...like most things, it doesn't have much to do with money... :joy:
You say tomAto, I say tomato..

 

[tizzo]

msd2, if you could give more details about what you mentioned regarding the sandpaper around the mag float... here...
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...41#post1225041

 

[msd2]

Originally Posted by Spanky
Yep, cost has NOTHING to do with any of this. :jumping: - and it's silly to suggest otherwise.
Sheeeesh. The difference between a 150 glass and a 150 plastic is only a few hundred bucks - about 5% of the final cost of the whole system with the rocks, critters and other goodies.
On the car front: I don't think the attitude towards BMW owners has anything to do with jealousy. I think it's got to be something else. Frankly, they're not that expensive - especially the Zs and the 3 series. We looked at both for my wife, and they were MUCH less money than a nice Toyota Sequoia, Chevy Suburban, or many of the other unremarkable non-status-symbols. Heck, my last Ford diesel pickup truck had a factory sticker that was about $8K higher than the loaded 3 series BMW my wife liked! The really funny thing is the Ford truck held it value better after several years of use!
Nope...like most things, it doesn't have much to do with money... :joy:
You say tomAto, I say tomato..

dang id like to know where u live for when I go car shopping again, or tell me your dealing secret man. I never did a good job when it comes to that. I roughtly priced out a fully loaded sequoia and it came to 44k, not bad considering its a tank, the z4 I priced out isnt fully loaded, but nicely equipped came to 51k. The suburban 49k, and the 3 slides in at bout 47k, the only way i could get a pickup up to that cost was the f350 harley version for 50k
trade in values:if u bought in 2001 ford 18k, sequoia 20k, the z is a bit of a challenge because the z4 didnt exist in 2001, but the z3 did, its value is at 17k (not hte m roadster, thats 21k), finally the 3bimmer 18k. THis is what happens when your home sick and not allowed out of bed all cars were 2001, good condition w/50k for comparison
Now why did I piss away my time doing this? 1, im sick, and im tired of watching tv, 2 to make a point that car costs are all relative and they are consumables so nobody really needs to justify why they bought what. There is no universal simple truths because we live in such diverse areas. Maybe out where Spanky lives there are needs/uses for big powerful trucks. In urban areas like mine they only get in the way. But you sure wont haul a boat with my slk or go off roading with 4 inches of ground clearence. Do I enjoy the power, precision, and handling of my car absolutely. Spanky may enjoy the ablity to have lots of power too, go over rocks smaller than pebbles w/o worry and haul whatever he desires. All depends on application which ties back into the orginal thread quite nicely. It all depends on what your priorities are for the tank which makes acrylic or glass a better choice.