Acrylic or Glass

[newbie hob]

Hello to everyone;

i am in the process of getting myself a 50 galon tank as a christmas present while looking in the market i have found several types of material Acrylic, Glass, some are a one piece tanks and others are sections ( Glued ).

I would really like to hear members suggestions, on Durability, Maintenance, goods and bads if any.

thks

 

[enchanted]

Go with Glass. Acryllic may be lighter, but scratches easier and won't look as good in a year.

Glass weighs more but doesn't scratch as easily and the looks last a lot longer.

 

[NickT]

i agree. go with glass, its cheaper ezer to repair from what i hear and also get a 75g there about the same price but there biger. and if you are rely on a budget the 55g is usualy cheaper than the the 50 if you buy a kit...

 

[Streetracer]

I like the looks of a 50 better than a 55, especially for a planted tank. 55 gallon tanks tend to be long but lack depth.

 

[WILDER]

I prefer glass.

 

[yvez9]

I would go with glass too
Actually, I did go with glass

The one pice aquariums tend to be a lot mor expensive, I'd just get a regular shape aquarium withglued pieces of glass.

Also, if you stick to the regular rectangular shape, you pay less than for hex shaped tanks or other funky shapes like bowfronts

 

[sylvia]

Plus rectangular shaped tanks have a better surface are to volume ratio than hex or cube which helps add to your stocking capabilities... I do like bow-fronts though

 

[k2snowboards88]

If your looking for a cheap tank, i'd check out wal-mart. I bought my tank kit there. It comes with everythign you need including a heater for 160$.

 

[newbie hob]

thanks everyone for your openion, yes i do agree that there is a price difference between glass and acrylic, i was thinking of the bowfront too my concern was the maintenance of the sealant (decay, leakage, etc...)

Unfortunately i dont have a wal-mart here in the emirates, the reason i was thinking of acrylic is i can ship it back home to California once i am finished with my work assignment here

 

[dothedew]

Glass. It won't bend over time, won't bow, and doesn't scratch as easily.
Acrylic is also pretty pricey.

 

[a1wonder]

glass I was surprised how easily plastic gets scatched and discolored

 

[steelhealr]

Glass....and I love my bowfront. SH

 

[Magnum]

how wide can u get tanks to be???
i'm looking for a big tank thats long, high, and wide
any ideas on what tanks to get???

 

[FrAnK3333]

Glass, because it lasts longer and looks better.

 

[NeveR]

I have an acrylic 20G long.

One piece with rounded corners.

I see no problems with it, besides the numerous scratches.

Although, my next tank will most likely be glass.