Differences Between Glass And Acrylic

[Starfishpower]

iv got to upgrade to a bigger tank sooner or later and im thinking, since this is a one time purchase (unless it breaks), i might as well get a nice size aquarium. im looking at a 90 US gallon - 48"L 18"W 24"H. which is less likely to break, glass or acrylic? what are other advantages and disadvantages over each other? iv heard that most ppl like glass, and i do too, but im seriously thinking im gona go with acrylic just cause it doesnt really seem like it can shatter or anything. so please, educate me

 

[helterskelter]

ay that size glass is better, Acrylic straches to easily

 

[Starfishpower]

ok. does one more easily shatter or something though? i really dont want to have something like that bust.

 

[helterskelter]

If you buy from a shop it will be fine, it's usualy local shops that build tanks that go worng mainly if they use the wrong thinkness glass or the silicon has not been left long enough to set (4 weeks).

If you damage it moving as well that can cause problems but if your carefull your be fine.

acrylic is lighter to eaiser to move but any scraches have to be pollished out and this take for ever esp if you have to empty the tank.

 

[Starfishpower]

okay so i just did a search for topics that cover this.... im going with glass, absolutely glass. i think my mind switched over after reading that acrylic can disintegrate! im not clear on how that happens but it makes me think of buying a lolly pop for a tank, itll be fun for a while till it literally disappears! im really not looking forward to having to move the glass behemoth but hopefully it will be fine. have you heard about this disintegration stuff? can you explain to me what happens? is there any way to prevent it? ok ttyl

 

[wendywc]

I've seen older acrylic tanks that have yellowed. But I've never heard of disintegrated or dissolved acrylic tanks. The newer acrylic tanks are of course said to be made better and with better materials. I've always been a traditionalist though and have just gotten glass. No breaks or leaks ever in my 15+ years of keeping fish.

 

[Starfishpower]

I've seen older acrylic tanks that have yellowed. But I've never heard of disintegrated or dissolved acrylic tanks. The newer acrylic tanks are of course said to be made better and with better materials. I've always been a traditionalist though and have just gotten glass. No breaks or leaks ever in my 15+ years of keeping fish.

ill look into it some more and talk to some ppl at the specialty fish store when i go to get it but im leaning towards glass

 

[Rooster]

Plastic tanks are harder to break... end of ! Kids aside, they have more cons than pros...
Glass gets my vote.

 

[Starfishpower]

Plastic tanks are harder to break... end of ! Kids aside, they have more cons than pros...
Glass gets my vote.

that is exactly why im thinking glass is better. to many cons.

 

[jgray152]

The acrylic would also probubly scare the #### out of you when you see the front bow 2 inches in the middle

I have never heard of acrylic disintegrating especially by water alone. Since it is a form of plastic, chemicals can ruin it but not water alone. special care also needs to be taken place when cleaning the side of the acrylic tank. Windex is a no no and paper towels are also a no no. You need to get special cleaner and soft dust free towels otherwise you will have a bunch of light scratches all over the place and the windex I have heard can yellow or cloud the acrylic.

Find a tank made out of starfire glass! Crystal clear glass instead of your usual green high iron glass.

 

[T1KARMANN]

i have acrylics tank and i would never buy a glass tank again

if you buy a good acylic tank it doesnt scratch easy not them cheap made tanks you see in the US that look like a plastic box with holes cut out my tank is made the exact same way as a glass tank

no ugly silacon joints

its much much clearer than glass a big glass tank has a green tint to it

much much lighter than a glass tank a tank the size i have would have took 6 strong men to lift onto the base me and my girlfreind lifted mine 350g

 

[jgray152]

My 180 gallon will take 2 strong men to lift it empty. Acrylic is nice in a lot of ways. I especially like it because its so clear.

 

[Starfishpower]

Find a tank made out of starfire glass! Crystal clear glass instead of your usual green high iron glass.

starfire glass... ill look that up. ya im really not impressed with the things i hear about acrylic, despite the fact that i would like ho light and strong it is. do you have any more info on starfire?

 

[T1KARMANN]

well if you have a glass tank and you kids are throwing toys around bang their goes your tank with acrylic it will bounce off

tank hear in the UK are garanteed for life with a £1,00000 insurances garantee for life i would love to see you get that in the US

acylic is much stonger

if you scratch glass its near impossable to get rid of it
if you scratch acylic you can polish it out easy even with water in

i have had my tank near 3 years now and theirs not a scratch on it

if you have seen a acylic tank full of water they just look modern compaired to a glass tank

 

[adamgreen240]

Advantages of Acrylic over Glass:

Acrylic Aquariums are approximately 48% the weight of glass.

Acrylic aquariums are stonger than glass.

Acrylic aquariums are clearer than glass.

Acrylic aquariums can be made to any size and they are seamless.

Acrylic aquariums have better insulating properties than glass.

Acrylic aquariums can be easily drilled by anyone.

Acrylic aquariums have a lifetime warranty.

Acrylic aquariums can be polished when scratched ( glass scratches are permanent ).

Overall, acrylic is probably better, but costs more.