acrylic vs glass lfs says acrylic scratches bad?

shaido

shaido

New Member
I just read i should go with an acrylic tank but the lfs guy sells only glass tanks he says acryllic tanks scratch bad and arent worth it.He could be just trying to sell me a tank from his inventory but he also offered to order me whatever i want.I was wondering if you guys have any info to help me reach a decison?
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
How big of a tank? I prefer Glass but may go acrylic for a big tank just b/c of the weight factor.
HTH
Tim
 
ejensen

ejensen

Member
I had both and they both have advantages but it up to you. You can buff the scraches out of a acrylic tank. I chose to get a glass tank this time. Just make sure they use thick acrylic because the bow out alot. You always get what you pay for.
 
lazarus

lazarus

Member
Phixer helped me alot on this one. Acrylic is tougher than glass, ligher than glass, offers better optical quality than glass and is less likely to leak. The only downside is the potential to scratch. Same can happen w. glass, but w. acrylic you can easily buff out, with glass you are stuck. Also, most acrylic scratches are only apparent when tank is empty. Acrylic costs more, but in my book it is worth it. I put in an order today for a new 100g!
 
phixer

phixer

Active Member
Give me a call if you need help moving it, acrylic tanks arent really that heavy or hard to move, just awkward like a matress and my cousin Larry. :hilarious
 
pontius

pontius

Active Member
shaido, take it from someone who has owned both......glass is better. acrylic is next to impossible to clean algae off without scratching. I have a 125 acrylic and am getting money up for a 180 glass. I would never set up another acrylic tank if it were given to me free of charge. don't believe the hype, the ONLY advantage that acrylic has is that it is lighter.
 
chipmaker

chipmaker

Active Member
My first choice would be Glass, and my 2nd choice would be Glass.....Have two acrylic tanks and hate them. They are fine when new, but they soon start to to show age and problems when you have to clean em or from the occasional rock fall etc........Like Pontius stated, impossible to clean algae without scratching.
 
phixer

phixer

Active Member
Interesting, Chipmaker havent heard from you in awhile? You should see some of these tanks at Scripps down here, really nice, they even have a cylindrical shaped sardine tank that is over 15 years old with huge silver sardines swimming around in circles. Some very colorful reef tanks too. If you ever get down here you should check it out.
http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM...NAquarium.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top