Acrylic VS. Glass Advantages and Disadvantages

[zanemoseley]

Ok I was originally set on getting a acrylic aquarium due to the fact that they don't break or leak. I've heard they scratch but I figure I can clean carefully and prevent them. The thing is I found out the 60gallon acrylic tank I wanted will cost $120 to ship since its too long for UPS to ship and has to be shipped by truck, plus I don't think I can get one locally. I've heard the horror stories about glass tanks breaking or leaking. What should I consider advantages/disadvantages when trying to choose between a Oceanic glass 75 and a Seaclear acrylic 60. Which would you pick and why? I'm planning on using FL LR and LS plus a AquaC remora skimmer.

 

[stumpdog]

IMO I would prefer the 75. I would enjoy the extra space. From what I have read I thought Oceanic tanks were good quality. I have heard a "few" horror stories but I think those are far and few. What is the price difference total? Good luck.
Jeremy

 

[reefnut]

I have heard of people having great luck with acrylic tanks but if I had the choise again I would go with glass.

 

[zanemoseley]

the seaclear acrylic 60 is $269 before shipping with a black acrylic back, the oceanic 75 is $295 local, both prices include NO florescent hood

 

[krunk]

why are oceanic systems so expensive? All-Glass 75 gallon tanks are only 110$...

 

[zanemoseley]

I havent seen a oceanic 75 gallon but the AGA and Oceanic aquariums I saw at the LFS it seemed that the Oceanic was much better looking with better edges and thicker glass

 

[steven's un]

There is no way that I would buy an acrylic tank........ANYTHING will scratch it(especially if you had sand).

 

[tangman99]

Hmm. Here is my .02 about advantages and disadvantages.
When buying a very large tank, Acrylic is lighter than Glass
Acrylic scratches very easily but small scratches can be repaired
Glass scratches also but more difficult to scratch that acrylic. Scratches in glass are forever.
I've heard a few stories of glass tanks leaking, but I've never had a leak and do not know anyone first hand that has had one leak.
That's about all I know

 

[madd catt]

Yeah, people get acrylic tanks because they like the fact that its liter than glass,scratches more easily but said to be able too get the scracthes out easier but glass harder to scratch and harder too get out.

 

[bigmac]

I've had two acylic reef tanks...........ther are about the hardest dang tank to clean...you will scratch it and you will hate it....
If it less then 150 gal its doomed........more then 150 should be ok

 

[zanemoseley]

so you're saying over 150 acrylic is ok and under 150 get glass? I didn't realize acrylic tanks got dirtier

 

[fishy88]

im getting a 300 what would you get if they are the same price?

 

[zanemoseley]

I'd say for a 300 you'd get a huge weight advantage by getting acryic. It seems to me the big deciding factor while getting an acrylic is if you're willing to take extra care while cleaning to prevent scratching and also there is a large extra shipping cost involved in ordering a large acrylic since they aren't readily available locally most of the time.

 

[jjetjock]

Adding to the Tangmans list of advantages to the acrylic tank.
- no corner seams
- they hold temperatures more stable
- IMO they are clearer
- much easier to drill
- can have them built to many custom shapes
Now for my bad experience with my first acrylic tank. I had a 75 gallon tank and was away for two days on a trip. I pulled up into the driveway and the wife says she has something to tell me. Not a warm welcome home. The neighbor kids asked my wife if they could run into our house and look at the tank. She said yes and they went inside. She started to wonder about them 15 minutes later when they didn't come out. She walked in and found that they discovered the acrylic cleaning magnet and thought they would see what it does. So they had taken the magnet down to the sand and picked it up in the magnet and proceeded to clean the glass for 15 minutes with the magnet full of sand. When they were done you could barely see the water thru the scatches. Thats when I upgraded to the 125. The scratchs could have been taken out after the tank is drained and everything is removed but had no place to tranfer everything waitting for the repairs. Even though I had this happen I still stayed with acyrlic. Just do not leave the magnet out so this won't happen to you. It is amazing how many people will come up and try to clean with that magnet if you leave it there. Also note that they make special cleaning magnets, pads and scrappers for acyrlic. Do not use the wrong kind!! I would also suggest that you get the sock that goes around the inner magnet just to be safe. Good luck with your decision.

 

[dpdiver]

Thats some good info, I was considering moving up to a 125-180 and thought about going acrylic.
Thanks all
Milt

 

[zanemoseley]

Originally posted by nolofinwe
one more thing i wanted to note:
ive noticed that threre seems to be a large gap (appearance wise) between the low and high-end acrylic tanks. if you do get an acrylic tank, one of the larger ones. go with the nicer manufacturers
i haven't noticed low and high end manufacturers of acrylic tanks, the only two I've found are Seaclear and Tenecor