Acrylic vs Glass

leheath

leheath

Member
I am setting up a 65g tank and am debating acrylic vs glass. LFS prices a bit high, so looking online, but shipping glass is very expensive (even considering cheaper initial cost). I have found an acrylic 65g tank for $138 inlcuding shipping...any thoughts? Are glass way better? If so why? I am planning a canopy with 4x65W PC lighting - is heat more or less of an issue with acrylic?
Thanks in advance
 
tony detroit

tony detroit

Active Member
Heat difference is minimal. In my opinion and experience acrylic should only be used on very large tanks. Anything less than 240 I would go glass. Less maintenance, no yellowing to worry about, no scratching, etc. My acrylic is ok, but a PITA when it comes to cleaning. If you really look around you can find glass tanks very cheap and then contact a local glass shop/ fish store and have them drill it for you.
 
leheath

leheath

Member
Thanks for the advice tony. Does anyone else have an opinion? Glass seems to be winning so far...is that just because of the scratching problem with acrylics?
I will probably have to move this tank in 5 years...would this tip the balance one way or another?
 
jlem

jlem

Active Member
Totally depends on size. Smaller tanks should be glass unless you really like the rounded corner look. Larger tanks should be acrylic just because of weight. I have neer sen a green hue in a glass tank but I am sure that if you go with really thick glass then you might notice it, but it would have to be really thick glass IMO.
 
R

reverai

Guest
Heat difference is minimal? Acrylic will insulate several times that of standard glass. I have both and really noticed the different in the winter and when the power went off a few months ago. The acrylic tank only lost 2 degrees in three hours while my glass tank lost 6 degrees and would have lost more if hadn't plugged the heater in a UPS. They both are 12 gallon tanks.
Personally I live acrylic tanks. I like how clear they are and how light they are to move. They tend not to leak. I've never heard of one leaking while one can just search here and find a couple of dozen glass tanks that have leaked. Acrylic tanks won't break if you bump into them with something. I've had several friends who've lost their glass tanks that way. The down side if you do need to be careful when it comes to scratches. The newer acrylic are much harder than the older acrylic and doesn't scatch as easily but I don't know how one can tell the difference between the two. Acrylic tanks are far eaier to modify. You can cut into one easily while you need a pro to that with glass...
Steve
 
cindyski

cindyski

Active Member
i also have acrylic. the ONLY downside i see so far is the scratching. other than that, the clearity is wonderful! i have had glass in the past and it dosnt compare. also as mentioned - the weight and leaking isnt like in the glass. i love mine, just wish i wouldnt have left my mag float in for kids and company to play with :mad:
 
leheath

leheath

Member
Thanks for the advice everyone. I think although glass is winning the poll, I am still going to go with an acrylic tank. The main reason is weight (since I can get either for the same price) - I am on my own, and really don't fancy trying to set up a tank that I need at least one other person to move even when totally empty (I tried shifting a glass tank at the petstore and couldn't!)! In addition, I don't plan on using a sump right off, so it would be nice to have the option of drilling holes at a later date without having to buy glass with an overflow upfront. Obviously I will have to be very careful about scratches and deal with the heat issue when it comes up!
Any flaws in this reasoning, let me know!
Thanks again:happyfish
 
sly

sly

Active Member
Glass.
I don't like scratches and I like the temp bleedoff that glass has. My tank is in an airconditioned room and the temp remains VERY stable at 80 degrees. I don't have to use a chiller because the glass doesn't hold all the heat in like acrylic does.
[edit] I have A LOT of coralline algae in my tank. I couldn't imagine trying to scrape it off an acrylic tank without scratching, it's hard enough on my glass. Although you can repair the scratches in acrylic, how do you clean the rounded corners?
 
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