Originally Posted by tony detroit
Finding the Right Tank
Finding the right tank can be quite the task. To properly set up a 100gal reef or larger you should expect to spend $5000. You should also expect to spend another 100 a month in related costs whether it be electricity, maintenance, addition, etc.
Acrylic-without a doubt the strongest tanks out there. I know a fella whose acrylic tank fell when the table it was on collapsed and the tank did not break. Also without a doubt, the easiest to scratch. Without careful cleaning you can scratch an acrylic tank up no problem. This is why I don't have one. I love them, but I scratched up my 300gal and I was being careful. After that I swore to never get another acrylic tank.
Glass-some will say is not as clear as acrylic, I myself have never noticed a diference between a well built glass tank. Starphire glass is a higher grade glass that is clearer than a normal glass tank. These are the best for aquariums if you have the money to buy one. Beware of tanks with bad silicone seals. I recommend you stick with a reputable manufacturer such as All glass, perfecto, or Oceanic. Be weary of buying older used Oceanic tanks, they put some out with faulty silicone on them, I learned that lesson the hard way unfortunately.
Although is can agree that the cost of setting up a 100 gallon reef can be $5000 I think that is a matter of opinion. I purchased a 90 gallon (not much difference) acrylic tank new and everything else including LR/LS, UV Sterilizer, Phosphate reactor (cheap anyways) Midwest DeNitrifier, all of the maintenance equipment, extra pumps, computer controller w/probes. That was less the $4000 over the last 8 months and I must say $100 a month is way to steep. I could have spent $5K but have more then I need. A person starting this hobby might read this and say no way am I doing that. I think 5K is to high. I think $100 a month is to high unless you are always adding stock to your tank.
I thinks it's a matter of opinion on the type of tank whether acrylic or glass. Yes, you can scratch an acrylic easy. I am careful and haven't scratched mine I will will never buy a glass one because they can break easily. You will find there are a lot of people that swear by acrylic tanks.
Acrylic is optically clearer than glass unless the acrylic is scratched up. I can tell the difference, mine is not scratched, it's clearer.
I can also say that having a glass tank is dangerous because they can break easily. How many stories have we heard about broken tanks and 99.99% or 100% of them were glass tanks.
