Starphire glass-- hjow to tell?

[Harpo]

I'm looking at a used custom tank (maker unknown) that was supposedly made of high clarity/Starphire glass. How can I tell if it is?

Thank you, Mark

[paal]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bra7LbV1rA

[alton]

See attached picture. You can tell it is PPG Starphire high quality if it doesn't have any scratches. the tank attached was built in 2003 by the original Oceanic Aquarium Company and today it still does not have any scratches, not like my newer Planet Crystaline tank which is loaded with scratches.

[oreo57]

http://riku-glass.com/onami-crystal-...dge-color.html

http://deepblueaquarium.co.nz/produc...roducts_id=157

The main comparative differences of a Starphire Glass Aquarium and a Clear Glass Aquarium are:

Clarity and Light Transmission
Starphire Glass has lower iron content, resulting in a superior pristine viewing surface. When you look at the edge of Starphire it has a unique blue tint, unlike the green tint of the clear glass variety. Due to the unprecedented clarity, it offers the best in maximum light transmission. This is especially important with reef or planted aquariums, in order to achieve effective light penetration through the glass lids and bracing. Ask your tank designer to show you comparative glass samples, so you can see the differences in clarity firsthand.

Scratching and Glass Care
Some people believe that due to the lower iron content, the glass is slightly softer making it more susceptible to scratching. There is some truth to this, but not enough to make a noticeable difference. The same care and precautions are needed for both types of glass. One of the biggest benefits in purchasing glass aquariums is that they are not easily scratched.

[Harpo]

Thank you all. Tank turned out to be regular float glass.

Mark

[alton]

http://corporate.ppg.com/Media/Newsr...using-oxy-fuel

[PCguy21]

Originally Posted by alton

See attached picture. You can tell it is PPG Starphire high quality if it doesn't have any scratches. the tank attached was built in 2003 by the original Oceanic Aquarium Company and today it still does not have any scratches, not like my newer Planet Crystaline tank which is loaded with scratches.

Lol i think you have it backwords... starfire glass isnt as strong as normal glass.. and all types of glass will scratch... Yours has ni scratchs becauss youve been carefull with it...

My 37 year old 135 gallon has only 3 scratchs in it.. does this mean its starphire glass too because it has 3 scratchs after 4 decades ?


An easy way to tell if a tank is starphire is if its got that jade green tint to the edges of the glass or not.... that tint is iron in the glass

[alton]

I was comparing PPG Starphire glass to other low iron glass makers. There are plenty of stories of members having low iron glass tanks that in a year are full of scratches. And I am not sure if using a Kent Stainless steel scraper is being careful but that is what I used most times to clean it, where as my Crystaline I have only used a Tunze magnetic scraper with plastic blades and it has many scratches.

[Nrdau]

What is clearer starphire glass or acrylic?

[FullBoreReefer]

Acrylic