Glass or acrylic
- Thread starter jraven
- Start date
thangbom
Active Member
glass or acrylic is a preference... both have pro's and cons.... i personally like glass tho.. ( ebe a tank that size.. it will weigh a ton!!! but still) i hate scratches.. and with acrylic, it's very very hard to keep it scratch free... imagin aquascaping lr.... but thats just me... glass have it's cons too... but they are voided out imo... becuase i just so hate scratchs... ( for the $$$$$$ u spend.. it better last and look good) so im on the long term lower maintence side of thing..
jer4916
Active Member
I have an acrlyic 125 gallon tank, i absolutly love it...they are right on the scratching thing partly...its harder to scratch then you think, once your used to having acrylic you learn how to NOT scratch it...I have a few good scratchs in my tank...but in a year when i move i can buff all the scratchs out and the tank will look brand new again...when a glass tank if you do scratch it your screwed for life....plus my tank is crystal clear there is no color distortion that you get with glass tanks. Its really personal pref. i love having an acrylic tank...i love the round corners....and honestly if your not right up close to the tank...you cant see the scratchs...and no one really notices them but you......but again...i learned after one good scratch to ALWAYS check my megnet before i move it. Other then that theres nothing to worry about.
~Chris
~Chris
1managain
Member
Hi, i would go with that starfire glass if you can. I think that's what it's called. Glass scratches just as well. Think about it. The things that you're going to do that scratch your tank are going to be things like dragging rock along the wall when you're aquascaping or something really careless. Like getting sand caught in the magfloat so when you drag it across the glass, you get a nice big streak. That's fun.
Find something that fits the dimensions that you want and has great clarity. If you're interested in building a tank to fit your specs, just keep searching this forum. There are a lot of great threads.
Also, think of how you want to do the filtration. If you want to do a closed loop system or something that requires drilling, then you'll probably most definetely want acrylic.
Just my two cents. Have fun.
Also, think of how you want to do the filtration. If you want to do a closed loop system or something that requires drilling, then you'll probably most definetely want acrylic.
Just my two cents. Have fun.
unleashed
Active Member
was concidering also doing a 265 glass tank until doing a little more investigating.boh acrylic and glass scratch if not cared for properly even accidents do happen.pros and cons to glass. (PRO)glass is clear doesnt scratch quit as easy much less expencive.(CON)glass is heavy 265 lb glass tank can weigh 400-500 lbs easily empty.glass has no give to it what so ever from water shifting rocks tumbling ect.a hair off on level can burst your tank.glass will not bow the seals will give out if presure is not leveled properly .and improper shipping. one mistake in drilling if drilled after purchase your out a very big investment
Acrylic (CON)(cost of acrylic, scatches easily must must proper cleaning tools to avoid this can bow from weight of water preasure(this is a pro and a con together.severe scratching can cause hazing of view
(PRO) much less weight factor200 - 300 lbs lighter empty.less stress on floor joist from tank alone.no seams on acrylic they are chemically welded to make one solid peice.biggest fear with acrylic is scratching not shattering.yes acrlic can bow it has give to it which can give more leways to weight shifting.easier to drill and modify than glass with less chance of breakage
Acrylic (CON)(cost of acrylic, scatches easily must must proper cleaning tools to avoid this can bow from weight of water preasure(this is a pro and a con together.severe scratching can cause hazing of view
(PRO) much less weight factor200 - 300 lbs lighter empty.less stress on floor joist from tank alone.no seams on acrylic they are chemically welded to make one solid peice.biggest fear with acrylic is scratching not shattering.yes acrlic can bow it has give to it which can give more leways to weight shifting.easier to drill and modify than glass with less chance of breakage
thangbom
Active Member
well imo the tank weight is not really to big of a factor if your gonna have that big of a tank (200 gals+) i mean.. water weight a lot more then the tank ever will.. if you cant handle the water weight then the tank is a no no n e ways... and yes both scratch.. but 1 is a lot harder to scrarch... and trust me.. accidents do happen... but imagin bupping some lr on glass.. then emagin bumping it on acrylic.... there a big dif... but.. yes u can buff it out in a acrylic tank.. but that means emptying the tank.. which means reaquascaping.. which means you can have a 'accident' agin.. so.... it's mostly on the buyers preference.. but pricing has a lot to do with it too.. ( for instance.. i dont ever see myself buying a acrylic tank.. but if a 200 gall walked into my way for $200... id buy it..)
thangbom
Active Member
..... well..... yeah .. it's plastig vs glass.... but the insurance thing is new to me.. i never even thought about that.. but then of course i never figured on what will happen if my tank blows up either... i just know imma be in truoble thats all... and have a very sad breakdown.. i mean my babies!!!!!!! i dont wanna think about it..