Glass vs. Acrylic Aquarium

munkyboy111 · 03/30/2008, 02:08 PM

What are the advantages and disadvantages to having either a glass or acrylic aquarium? I've only had glass and was looking into upgrading. Therefore, I was just wondering which I should get. Any input is appreciated.

Eric the half-bee · 03/30/2008, 04:02 PM

Munkyboy, acrylic is lighter, can be shaped in numerous designs minus the seams and easily drilled. Glass is heavier and more resistant to scratching.

netboy · 03/30/2008, 04:34 PM

Acrylic is supposed to be better at insulating temps. If I had to do it again I would get glass, acrylic scratches waaaay too easy.

munkyboy111 · 03/30/2008, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the input!

benf · 03/30/2008, 05:14 PM

I had glass, and my current tank is acrylic.

Here is the deal...when i had glass i got upset cause a piece of sand got between the glass and my cleaning magnet and put a scratch across the front pane about 18" long. However i find that it is much tougher to get scratches with glass.

Advantages to the acrylic of course is you can sand the scratches out. Also the overflow will most likely be external giving u more interior room for ur landscaping and fish. Also you will have a clearer view in the tank unless u go starfire.

I debated for weeks which way to go and being i didnt want to take a chance on another scratch i cant remove on a big tank i decided to go with the Acrylic. You learn to live with the scratches low by the sand, unless u look for them u dont know they are there for the most part.

Good Luck!

chris4869 · 03/30/2008, 07:20 PM

I'm on the other side of the fence. My previous tank was acrylic, and it was a magnet for scratches and algae. No matter how careful I was, my acrylic tank would be scratched.

My glass tank is soooo much better. I don't have to clean the glass everyday. I'd converted my Kent scraper to a salt mixing stick. The best part about it is it's scratched free.

inachu · 03/30/2008, 07:50 PM

chris4869!!!!!!

I just ruined my LCD because of your avatar!

Get that bug off! grrrr

sfsuphysics · 03/30/2008, 07:52 PM

The ability to clean with a razor blade.... nuff said.

EpidemicScuzzy · 03/31/2008, 10:31 AM

I've never owned an acrylic tank, but personally I prefer glass because there is so much less to worry about regarding scratching. This is especially true since much of our ability to enjoy our tanks is dependent on having a clear, unblemished visual.

FWIW, the issue of the higher weight of glass is really negligible after the tank is set in its final position.

DanInSD · 03/31/2008, 12:14 PM

I have a 120 acrylic. My next tank will be starphire glass. The scratches are a pain, and those plastic scrapers take a lot of effort.

A word of caution, you do need to be much more careful when setting up a glass tank. You must ensure that the base is completely level, or you put torque on the glass. This is much less of an issue with acrylic.

Dan

kdblove_99 · 03/31/2008, 01:43 PM

i have an acrylic tank and hate it. scraches way too easy,

going to get a starphire glass tank next

Los · 03/31/2008, 01:49 PM

I had a 240 plexi that I replaced with a 240 glass. Think of all the headaches and costs associated with switching out a tank! That's how bad plexi is. The tank I'm having built now is starphire and I would never, ever go with plexi. Honestly, if plexi were 1/10th the price - I still wouldn't get it.

Now, if you have a special need for a light tank, an unusual shape, or are using it in a commercial environment where it might be exposed to really tough treatment, then you might not have a choice except for plexi.

Cheers,

Los

wmilas · 03/31/2008, 02:47 PM

On anything up to 180 IMHO it doesn't matter. I personally would pick glass up to that size as its easier to maintain and the weight isn't an issue.

Above 180 you start getting into a gray area. All glass tanks have silicone joints. That silicone WILL fail. It's not a matter of if, its a matter of when. On a smaller tank the time to fail is very long. On a large tank the increased pressures will cause the seams to fail faster. After a certain size you will only see acrylic tanks because of this.

On top of this as mentioned the lager the tank, the more careful you have to be with leveling. Glass, if torqued, even a tiny bit with a large tank will cause a crack. Some of the cracks are explosive. Search the forums here for pictures and threads of this happening.

On my 600 gallon display I chose acrylic. Sure I'd love to have the hassle free option of glass for maintenance but I also don't want to have, literally, 10's of thousands in livestock on my floor.

jessicalynn1086 · 03/31/2008, 06:23 PM

acrylic scratches easier but is way lighter
glass has silicone seems where as acrylic is bonded toghter for a much stronger joining

scbauer · 03/31/2008, 06:36 PM

My first 2 tanks were glass. My third tank was acrylic. I am having a custom tank built in the next few weeks and it will be glass. In other words, I've seen both and prefer glass.

The main reason is, as everybody stated above, acrylic scratches way too easy.

I think you might want to specify what you envision for your setup, that way people can have a better idea of what you are looking for.

-Scott

BreadmanMike · 03/31/2008, 06:57 PM

I love acrylic tanks. I can buff out any scratches and not even starphire glass can match the clarity of acrylic.

If you decide on acrylic, I'd suggest using Envision. I don't think you'll find a better company to build your tank for you. James defines class.

03/30/2008, 02:08 PM	#1
munkyboy111 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 71	Glass vs. Acrylic Aquarium What are the advantages and disadvantages to having either a glass or acrylic aquarium? I've only had glass and was looking into upgrading. Therefore, I was just wondering which I should get. Any input is appreciated.

03/30/2008, 04:02 PM	#2
Eric the half-bee Passer of gasses Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Space Coast, FL Posts: 837	Munkyboy, acrylic is lighter, can be shaped in numerous designs minus the seams and easily drilled. Glass is heavier and more resistant to scratching. __________________ MOLON LABE - King Leonidas I A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. – Barry Goldwater Current Tank Info: Semi agressive reef-400 gal.-8 tangs,2 rabbit fish,zebra moray,blue ribbon eel,Janss' pipe,pair bangaiis,wrasse,tomato clown,maroon clown

03/30/2008, 05:14 PM	#5
benf Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: wesley chapel, florida Posts: 4,031	I had glass, and my current tank is acrylic. Here is the deal...when i had glass i got upset cause a piece of sand got between the glass and my cleaning magnet and put a scratch across the front pane about 18" long. However i find that it is much tougher to get scratches with glass. Advantages to the acrylic of course is you can sand the scratches out. Also the overflow will most likely be external giving u more interior room for ur landscaping and fish. Also you will have a clearer view in the tank unless u go starfire. I debated for weeks which way to go and being i didnt want to take a chance on another scratch i cant remove on a big tank i decided to go with the Acrylic. You learn to live with the scratches low by the sand, unless u look for them u dont know they are there for the most part. Good Luck! __________________ Ben Current Tank Info: None :(

03/30/2008, 07:52 PM	#8
sfsuphysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 9,103	The ability to clean with a razor blade.... nuff said. __________________ Mike

03/31/2008, 01:49 PM	#12
Los Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Salisbury, MD - 2 hrs from DC Posts: 819	I had a 240 plexi that I replaced with a 240 glass. Think of all the headaches and costs associated with switching out a tank! That's how bad plexi is. The tank I'm having built now is starphire and I would never, ever go with plexi. Honestly, if plexi were 1/10th the price - I still wouldn't get it. Now, if you have a special need for a light tank, an unusual shape, or are using it in a commercial environment where it might be exposed to really tough treatment, then you might not have a choice except for plexi. Cheers, Los __________________ ~~~~~ / ^ ^\ \| 0 0 \| .\ ~ / The Big Mo' - in honor of Trey and Matt Current Tank Info: 360 reef / 700 system with 4xSfiligoi XR6s, Sfiligoi XR4, BubbleKing 300 Deluxe Internal, Deltec PF601s, PM Kalk, Deltec FR616, Deltec FR509, AquaController APEX, Tunze 6305, 2x6205, 2x6101, 6100, 3xDart Golds, Barracuda, Snapper, 2xOceans Motions

03/30/2008, 04:34 PM	#3
netboy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 304	Acrylic is supposed to be better at insulating temps. If I had to do it again I would get glass, acrylic scratches waaaay too easy.

03/30/2008, 05:10 PM	#4
munkyboy111 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 71	Thanks for the input!

03/30/2008, 07:20 PM	#6
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	I'm on the other side of the fence. My previous tank was acrylic, and it was a magnet for scratches and algae. No matter how careful I was, my acrylic tank would be scratched. My glass tank is soooo much better. I don't have to clean the glass everyday. I'd converted my Kent scraper to a salt mixing stick. The best part about it is it's scratched free.

03/30/2008, 07:50 PM	#7
inachu Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland, metro area Posts: 1,219	chris4869!!!!!! I just ruined my LCD because of your avatar! Get that bug off! grrrr

03/31/2008, 10:31 AM	#9
EpidemicScuzzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 66	I've never owned an acrylic tank, but personally I prefer glass because there is so much less to worry about regarding scratching. This is especially true since much of our ability to enjoy our tanks is dependent on having a clear, unblemished visual. FWIW, the issue of the higher weight of glass is really negligible after the tank is set in its final position.

03/31/2008, 12:14 PM	#10
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	I have a 120 acrylic. My next tank will be starphire glass. The scratches are a pain, and those plastic scrapers take a lot of effort. A word of caution, you do need to be much more careful when setting up a glass tank. You must ensure that the base is completely level, or you put torque on the glass. This is much less of an issue with acrylic. Dan

03/31/2008, 01:43 PM	#11
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	i have an acrylic tank and hate it. scraches way too easy, going to get a starphire glass tank next

03/31/2008, 02:47 PM	#13
wmilas Keep magnets 9" apart! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lemont, Il Posts: 1,023	On anything up to 180 IMHO it doesn't matter. I personally would pick glass up to that size as its easier to maintain and the weight isn't an issue. Above 180 you start getting into a gray area. All glass tanks have silicone joints. That silicone WILL fail. It's not a matter of if, its a matter of when. On a smaller tank the time to fail is very long. On a large tank the increased pressures will cause the seams to fail faster. After a certain size you will only see acrylic tanks because of this. On top of this as mentioned the lager the tank, the more careful you have to be with leveling. Glass, if torqued, even a tiny bit with a large tank will cause a crack. Some of the cracks are explosive. Search the forums here for pictures and threads of this happening. On my 600 gallon display I chose acrylic. Sure I'd love to have the hassle free option of glass for maintenance but I also don't want to have, literally, 10's of thousands in livestock on my floor. __________________ 120x36x30 acrylic display, 1000 gallon sps with lots o fish

03/31/2008, 06:23 PM	#14
jessicalynn1086 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 5	acrylic scratches easier but is way lighter glass has silicone seems where as acrylic is bonded toghter for a much stronger joining

03/31/2008, 06:36 PM	#15
scbauer The Buff Reefer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,699	My first 2 tanks were glass. My third tank was acrylic. I am having a custom tank built in the next few weeks and it will be glass. In other words, I've seen both and prefer glass. The main reason is, as everybody stated above, acrylic scratches way too easy. I think you might want to specify what you envision for your setup, that way people can have a better idea of what you are looking for. -Scott __________________ offical member of the "WIAGAS" club "Wondering If Anybody Gives A ...." ...for when your thread has 50 posts, and 48 of them are yours Current Tank Info: No tank. Got out of the hobby in 2011 but I’ll be back one day!

03/31/2008, 06:57 PM	#16
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	I love acrylic tanks. I can buff out any scratches and not even starphire glass can match the clarity of acrylic. If you decide on acrylic, I'd suggest using Envision. I don't think you'll find a better company to build your tank for you. James defines class.