Opiwhite...worth It?

[malfunction]

Hi all,

So, in the summer I'll be getting a bigger tank and I'm wondering whether or not to spend extra on an Optiwhite front panel. Has anyone got this? Is it really worth spending the extra cash?

Thanks

 

[looking-glass]

depends on your budget i suppose i think they look good though

 

[malfunction]

Well, if I don't spend the money on the tank, the boss will find something else to spend it on! Is there a big difference between OptiWhite and standard glass?

 

[looking-glass]

HA HA i know that feeling
 
I've not looked into them too much but i think they allow a lot more light in and a lot clearer 
 

 
Like that

 

[malfunction]

Seems like a big difference there...OptiWhite it is.

Cheers for the assist.

 

[Essjay]

I've just got a custom built tank with an optiwhite front panel and I'm glad I decided to pay the extra. At 10mm the glass in the new tank is almost twice as thick as in the old one (6mm), and it the water and fish look much clearer - I think if I'd had standard glass it would have had a green tinge with the glass being so much thicker.
If the tank you are thinking of getting is made with thick glass, I would definitely go for the optiwhite. If it is thinner glass, I don't think it would make as much difference.

 

[DrRob]

For me it depends a lot on what the tank is for. A blackwater tank intended to have murky water and it'll make little difference.
 
A marine or planted tank with gin clear water and it'll be worth it's weight with no trouble at all.

 

[malfunction]

I've just got a custom built tank with an optiwhite front panel and I'm glad I decided to pay the extra. At 10mm the glass in the new tank is almost twice as thick as in the old one (6mm), and it the water and fish look much clearer - I think if I'd had standard glass it would have had a green tinge with the glass being so much thicker.
If the tank you are thinking of getting is made with thick glass, I would definitely go for the optiwhite. If it is thinner glass, I don't think it would make as much difference.

My tank will be 10mm thick as well, so based in your input it seems OptiWhite would be beneficial. Out of interest, how big is your tank?

For me it depends a lot on what the tank is for. A blackwater tank intended to have murky water and it'll make little difference.
 
A marine or planted tank with gin clear water and it'll be worth it's weight with no trouble at all.

Ok, cheers for the info. I'm avoiding a black water set up for now - the aim of this tank is going to be to gawk like a moron at all the pretty fish, so I think the clearer it is, the better.

 

[Essjay]

It's 42 x 18 x 18 inches (approx 107 x 45 x 45cm). ND aquatics seem to work in inches rather than metric.

 

[malfunction]

Funnily enough, I'm thinking of getting my tank from ND Aquatics as they seem good quality and relatively cheap. Anyhow, thanks for the info.

 

[looking-glass]

will definitely aid plant and coral growth  

 

[malfunction]

will definitely aid plant and coral growth

I haven't been converted to the dark side yet (aka marines). As for live plants, my rainbow cichlids ensure swift death to all plants except moss balls and anubias. Really like the little guys...just wish they'd stop eating everything that's green.

 

[looking-glass]

 

will definitely aid plant and coral growth

I haven't been converted to the dark side yet (aka marines). As for live plants, my rainbow cichlids ensure swift death to all plants except moss balls and anubias. Really like the little guys...just wish they'd stop eating everything that's green.
 

Even for just viewing it will give you a lot of benefits it will show of the colours of your rainbows a lot more 

 

[malfunction]

Make my rainbowfish look better? Say no more, I'm sold!

 

[looking-glass]

Make my rainbowfish look better? Say no more, I'm sold!

 

Make my rainbowfish look better? Say no more, I'm sold!

like there in hi-definition