Is Starphire glass worth the cost?

[kpatrick]

I am getting an 8ft long 240 gallon tank. However, before I purchase it I am wanting to get some opinions on starphire glass. Is it worth an extra $500 for that tank or is that money better spend on corals to put in the tank?
Besides clarity, are there any pros or cons to this type of glass?

 

[yerboy]

starfire will scratch easier then standard glass. other then that the only downfall is its cost. If you look at my thread labeled Yerboys rimless sps build you will see a photo i posted of side by side starfire/regular glass and see the difference.

 

[t316]

It's all about what you get used to looking at. If you don't have it, you probably won't miss it since you didn't know what you were missing. It's kind of like HD TV, people kept telling me about how great the picture was on an HD television, and I even saw a few over at friend's houses. But until I got one, I never knew what I was missing.
I have a 280 gal. starphire, and I will never go back...

 

[kpatrick]

How much easier does it scratch? can you use a normal metal scraper to clean it?

 

[t316]

Originally Posted by kpatrick
http:///forum/post/3207495
How much easier does it scratch? can you use a normal metal scraper to clean it?
Other than yerboy's post above about scratching, I have never heard anything about starphire scratching any more or any less than any type of glass used in this hobby. I have a metal scraper, but I never use it. Instead I use Mag Floats on the glass. I have a small scratch or two down near the bottom, but this is due to catching sand in the magfloat. I cannot see where starphire glass has any qualities about it that would cause scratches any more/less than any other type of aquarium glass.

 

[9supratt4]

How think will the glass be on the 240? From what I have seen and talked to people about...it doesn't make much of a difference until you get upwards of 1-inch glass.

 

[yerboy]

starfire glass is so clear because it is low iron glass. Its the iron in the glass that gives it the green look, the iron also make it more resistant to scratching. Dont get me wrong its not as soft as acrylic but it does tend to scratch easier then standard glass. Just make sure you have no sand in your magfloat and you should be fine.

 

[bullitr]

it worth the money.
i will get starphire myself
but still undecided between 380 or 430 because of the price difference 430 cost twice as 380 because i have to use 3/4" starphire instead of 1/2"

 

[wangotango]

If you want to go Starphire but still want to keep cost down you can just use it on the front panel and regular glass on the others.
-Justin

 

[kpatrick]

The plan is to use starphire on just the front panel since its an inwall tank but the $500 upgrade is just for that front panel.

 

[yerboy]

not sure who your going to buy your glass from, but you can buy a 8x2 foot piece of starfire glass 3/4 thickness for $512 from glasscages not counting shipping. They sell 3/4 inch starfire at $32 per sq foot.
Just so happens there truck will be delivering tank to Kansas on Feb 14th.

 

[t316]

Originally Posted by yerboy
http:///forum/post/3207604
not sure who your going to buy your glass from, but you can buy a 8x2 foot piece of starfire glass 3/4 thickness for $512 from glasscages not counting shipping. They sell 3/4 inch starfire at $32 per sq foot.
+1...I was thinking that was high too. I bought my 280 from glasscages and I don't remember it being that high to upgrade, unless they have gone up.

 

[kpatrick]

Thats good to know. The LFS I am purchasing this from in KC has the best prices on tanks so not sure why they would charge more then other places for the starphire upgrade. Time to do some more research.

 

[yerboy]

You can get a 240gallon 96 x 18 x 31 Tall with starfire front for 1165 from glasscages. Thats just the tank itself.

 

[kpatrick]

How are they on shipping cost and drilling holes? The 240g I am looking at is 96x24x24 drilled with 4 hole for $1150 or 1650 with starphire.

 

[yerboy]

I just did an estimate on there site for 96x24x25 "$657 base price"thats one of there standard 240 sizes. With front starfire "+$184", 2 overflows "2 holes per overflow"+$150 bulkheads+$60 and acrylic covers for the overflows+$70. Totals $1241 including shipping $120 to Kansas City. There may be a tax charge on that but im not sure how thats handled since your out of state. Also you can use your own bulkheads and not buy the covers for the overflows as those are optional.
the standard overflow is from top to bottom but they have other options also.
Shoot them an email they have always responded to me the same day.
glasscages.com

 

[kpatrick]

Thanks for taking the time to look all that up. So I take it you have never had a problem with their tanks?

 

[yerboy]

Well tbo i have never owned one. There plant is about an hours drive south of me and i know allot of people in our reef club who have there tanks without any issues. I have heard some horror stories with there acrylic tanks but not so much with there glasstanks.
I will be using them when i setup my new tank once i move into my new house.