does Starphire glass scratch easier than regular glass...?

flipteg · 02/02/2007, 02:18 PM

does anyone know if Starphire glass scratch more easy than regular glass...? can you still use one of those magnetic cleaners...? how about those coralline algae scrapers with a dull blade on them...?

Yinger · 02/02/2007, 02:40 PM

yes it does scratch easier. You can still use the magnet cleaners, but just becareful not to get grains of sand inbetween it.

pjf · 02/02/2007, 03:13 PM

Are there any non-custom aquariums that come with Starphire glass as a standard item?

I understand that Oceanic uses Starphire glass on the front wall of some of its aquariums.

smatter · 02/02/2007, 04:50 PM

Oceanic Tech Series uses low iron glass for the front and maybe the side panels, not sure about the sides though. They have been out for a while, though there is very little information available. Not even on Oceanic's site. I had to call them and they are sending me some info. It will probably be there when I get home today, I'll let you know.

BeanAnimal · 02/02/2007, 05:58 PM

Most avg joes do not know what low iron glass is... so it would be a hard sell. Tank manufacturers cut every corner possible. We are a very small part of the market and not that much of a concern for the big oems who instead cater to the masses.

Rwinfrey · 02/02/2007, 06:53 PM

I just spoke to oceanic about the use of starfire glass it is standard on the front panel and center brace 50 gl and above

BeanAnimal · 02/02/2007, 08:11 PM

And as others have noted, the overall build quality of the Oceanics has gone considerably downhill sice they were purchased. They are using thinner glass and less quality control. They are an upsell to the AGA line and have features like the Starfire, but pay for it by cutting corners elsewhere. I would opt for a custom glass tank with starfire from a reputable custom tank builder.

smatter · 02/02/2007, 08:26 PM

They use low iron glass in the front panels of all their tanks above 50g? This is new to me.

pjf · 02/02/2007, 10:30 PM

Where can I find a specification sheet that compares the properties of low-iron and regular glass? A link to information will be great. Thanks!

pjf · 02/02/2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rwinfrey
I just spoke to oceanic about the use of starfire glass it is standard on the front panel and center brace 50 gl and above

Is this something recent? I purchased my Oceanic "Reef Ready" 75-gallon aquarium in 2004 and I still see green glass in the front and in the center brace.

BeanAnimal · 02/02/2007, 10:55 PM

"low iron" glass is a somewhat broad term. In a nutshell, mechanical and chemical means are used to remove the iron compounds from the raw silica before it is melted.

"Starfire" is a low iron product produced by PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass). According to their engineering team, Starfire has the same tensile and compressive strength as standard annealed glass. This is also a "broad" brush, as standard annealed glass can vary in strength depending on MANY variables. However, what PPG is saying is that the Starfire is comparable to a high quality annealed product. I have no reason to doubt them, there ARE the glass authority...

02/02/2007, 02:18 PM	#1
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	does Starphire glass scratch easier than regular glass...? does anyone know if Starphire glass scratch more easy than regular glass...? can you still use one of those magnetic cleaners...? how about those coralline algae scrapers with a dull blade on them...?

02/02/2007, 03:13 PM	#3
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	"Standard" Aquariums with Starphire Glass? Are there any non-custom aquariums that come with Starphire glass as a standard item? I understand that Oceanic uses Starphire glass on the front wall of some of its aquariums.

02/02/2007, 02:40 PM	#2
Yinger Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Yorba Linda Posts: 3,657	yes it does scratch easier. You can still use the magnet cleaners, but just becareful not to get grains of sand inbetween it.

02/02/2007, 04:50 PM	#4
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	Oceanic Tech Series uses low iron glass for the front and maybe the side panels, not sure about the sides though. They have been out for a while, though there is very little information available. Not even on Oceanic's site. I had to call them and they are sending me some info. It will probably be there when I get home today, I'll let you know.

02/02/2007, 05:58 PM	#5
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Most avg joes do not know what low iron glass is... so it would be a hard sell. Tank manufacturers cut every corner possible. We are a very small part of the market and not that much of a concern for the big oems who instead cater to the masses.

02/02/2007, 06:53 PM	#6
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	I just spoke to oceanic about the use of starfire glass it is standard on the front panel and center brace 50 gl and above

02/02/2007, 08:11 PM	#7
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	And as others have noted, the overall build quality of the Oceanics has gone considerably downhill sice they were purchased. They are using thinner glass and less quality control. They are an upsell to the AGA line and have features like the Starfire, but pay for it by cutting corners elsewhere. I would opt for a custom glass tank with starfire from a reputable custom tank builder.

02/02/2007, 08:26 PM	#8
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	They use low iron glass in the front panels of all their tanks above 50g? This is new to me.

02/02/2007, 10:30 PM	#9
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	Where can I find a specification sheet that compares the properties of low-iron and regular glass? A link to information will be great. Thanks!

02/02/2007, 10:55 PM	#11
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	"low iron" glass is a somewhat broad term. In a nutshell, mechanical and chemical means are used to remove the iron compounds from the raw silica before it is melted. "Starfire" is a low iron product produced by PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass). According to their engineering team, Starfire has the same tensile and compressive strength as standard annealed glass. This is also a "broad" brush, as standard annealed glass can vary in strength depending on MANY variables. However, what PPG is saying is that the Starfire is comparable to a high quality annealed product. I have no reason to doubt them, there ARE the glass authority...