Is Starfire galss worth the money?

cooder24 · 01/31/2006, 11:27 AM

i have been looking into another tank and found a tank i like that comes with starfire glass. I personaly have never seen a Starfire Glass reeftank in person just on RC. But for those that have, is the cost difference realy worth the clarity.

electric130 · 01/31/2006, 11:52 AM

yes

gcarroll · 01/31/2006, 12:21 PM

I will only state that it may be for glass thicker than 1/2" Then the difference becomes more noticeable.

dannieboiz · 01/31/2006, 12:31 PM

If I had the money, I would definitely do Starfire instead of AGA or even acrylic...

Ti · 01/31/2006, 04:20 PM

One Word.
YES.

SerLunchbox · 01/31/2006, 04:28 PM

Starphire is AWESOME. Hands down the best ... it is like comparing a brown beer bottle to a clear bottle .... it is that noticeable!!

Horace · 01/31/2006, 05:01 PM

I dont know, perhaps I need to see more big tanks, but I notice very little difference in clarity between my 75g and my buddys' 260 starfire. Perhaps its because my 75 isnt that thick I dont know...

Its definatly a far cry from what SerLunchbox is indicating IMO

dannieboiz · 01/31/2006, 05:06 PM

it's not the clarity. it's the blue you see through the standard glass and the "almost crystal clear" view from the Starfire.

Depending on the lightings you should be able to tell. You'll def. see the difference if they're sitting side by side with the same lightings. Saw a member with a 48x24x24 starfire tank and I aboslutely love it. Durable, scratch resistence and almost as clear as acrylic.

CW from the OC · 01/31/2006, 07:53 PM

Yes.

asmodeus · 01/31/2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dannieboiz
it's not the clarity. it's the blue you see through the standard glass and the "almost crystal clear" view from the Starfire.

Depending on the lightings you should be able to tell. You'll def. see the difference if they're sitting side by side with the same lightings. Saw a member with a 48x24x24 starfire tank and I aboslutely love it. Durable, scratch resistence and almost as clear as acrylic.

You said Scratch resistance ,Really MY good Friend here on the board DOug bought Starfire glass and it scratched just by cleaning with a Rag ... May be it wasnt Starfire ,but i was really turn off by it..

mike

aqua_fire_rium · 01/31/2006, 08:57 PM

Any one that says they cant see a difference....IS BLIND !

reefdadx2 · 01/31/2006, 09:06 PM

I would look into the scratch factor. I hear they do scratch easier than normal glass. Good luck. Michael R

glasstech · 01/31/2006, 09:16 PM

just go to a local glass shop and ask them for glass samples ,and compare!~ regular plate glass has a green/blue tint from the liquid tin the roll it out on when making it, it leaves some of the tin on the glass thats why its green/blue where as starfire is 99% pure. far as scratching well ,glass doesnt scatch we do, pun intented! i work in alocal glass shop. we have samples for the commercial side, just ask them and youll see the difference.its like looking through glass and not !!

cooder24 · 01/31/2006, 10:00 PM

so frow what i gathered it is only much better than regular glass if you are using a pane larger than 1/2 inch thick?

electric130 · 01/31/2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cooder24
so frow what i gathered it is only much better than regular glass if you are using a pane larger than 1/2 inch thick?

even less than 1/2" is noticible.

Ti · 01/31/2006, 10:23 PM

it's better period.

man1410 · 01/31/2006, 10:23 PM

yes!!

glasstech · 02/01/2006, 07:20 AM

ive samples at my shop thats 3/8 you can hold each next to each other and the differnce is absloute. night to day!! check reefcrazed tank out on he was featured on totm while back maybe 1 or so yrs . hes got 500 ish g tank and hes got 1" starfire which is 2x 1/2" laminated pieces, starfire will run u around 10 to 12$ square ft. + shipping if u do it ur self.

scooter86 · 02/01/2006, 08:29 AM

Absolutely yes. My 180 has Starfie on the front only. The comparison between the side panels and the front is absolutely unbelievable. If I did it again, I would get Starfire on the sides as well.

s10willy · 02/01/2006, 09:14 AM

glasstech - Have you had experience with starfire scratching easier than regular glass?

Psyire · 02/01/2006, 12:44 PM

I have a 3 sided Starphire 180g and love it. This glass is tough, I haven't scratched it and I have hard silica sand. BUT get true PPG starphire, there are other alternatives that may be less scratch resistant. IMO, the 'window' into your sea, should be the best quality possible. (it only makes sense)

Fliger · 02/01/2006, 01:07 PM

This thead has some info you might be interested in.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ight=starphire

And here is a pic of a tank I had a few years ago - low iron front/sides, regular bottom -

glasstech · 02/01/2006, 08:53 PM

have not had ne problems with scrathing, but ppg is a good supplier we get alot of glass from them , also coastal glass and , aci. just check your area and see who offers it, just try to cut out the middle man if possible, id go with PPG. if u can order it from them.ive only been able to get it in 1/4 ,,3/8,, and 1/2 inch. if your so worried about scratching it. then treat it like acrylic !! just take your time go slow cleaning it.

Fliger · 02/01/2006, 09:03 PM

I forgot - I had two low iron tanks and never scratched them. I used magnet cleaners - but I have a habit that even with glass, I use acrylic pads.

PPG also told me that they'll be releasing 5/8" and 3/4" at some point this year.

cerreta · 02/01/2006, 10:46 PM

amazing difference as seen in the photo. My buddy has a starfire front and one side. The side against the wall is regular glass. When looking through the standard glass panel, the water looks yellowish-green compared to the starfire sides. My next custom will be starfire.

01/31/2006, 11:27 AM	#1
cooder24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: south jersey 08088 Posts: 257	Is Starfire galss worth the money? i have been looking into another tank and found a tank i like that comes with starfire glass. I personaly have never seen a Starfire Glass reeftank in person just on RC. But for those that have, is the cost difference realy worth the clarity. __________________ NJ RC member Current Tank Info: 135g RR and plotting

01/31/2006, 11:52 AM	#2
electric130 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lowesville/Denver, NC Posts: 4,646	yes __________________ J.R. Current Tank Info: None

01/31/2006, 12:21 PM	#3
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	I will only state that it may be for glass thicker than 1/2" Then the difference becomes more noticeable. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

01/31/2006, 04:20 PM	#5
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	One Word. YES. __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

01/31/2006, 04:28 PM	#6
SerLunchbox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada Posts: 50	Starphire is AWESOME. Hands down the best ... it is like comparing a brown beer bottle to a clear bottle .... it is that noticeable!! __________________ I'm a Man, But i can change, If i have to, I guess.....

01/31/2006, 12:31 PM	#4
dannieboiz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,514	If I had the money, I would definitely do Starfire instead of AGA or even acrylic...

01/31/2006, 05:01 PM	#7
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	I dont know, perhaps I need to see more big tanks, but I notice very little difference in clarity between my 75g and my buddys' 260 starfire. Perhaps its because my 75 isnt that thick I dont know... Its definatly a far cry from what SerLunchbox is indicating IMO __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

01/31/2006, 05:06 PM	#8
dannieboiz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,514	it's not the clarity. it's the blue you see through the standard glass and the "almost crystal clear" view from the Starfire. Depending on the lightings you should be able to tell. You'll def. see the difference if they're sitting side by side with the same lightings. Saw a member with a 48x24x24 starfire tank and I aboslutely love it. Durable, scratch resistence and almost as clear as acrylic.

01/31/2006, 07:53 PM	#9
CW from the OC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 853	Yes. __________________ Cheers! C Dub Current Tank Info: 210 LeeMar starfire reef (7x2x2), 100 gal SoCalCreations sump, Aquacontroller 3, Geo 618 fed by Cole Parmer peri pump, ATB Large Cone , Aquatinics Constellation T5, 4 Vortecs with wireless controllers, Eheim 1262 return on a SeaSwirl

01/31/2006, 08:57 PM	#11
aqua_fire_rium Moved On Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 12	Any one that says they cant see a difference....IS BLIND !

01/31/2006, 09:06 PM	#12
reefdadx2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Salem, VA Posts: 941	I would look into the scratch factor. I hear they do scratch easier than normal glass. Good luck. Michael R

01/31/2006, 09:16 PM	#13
glasstech Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: hickory,nc Posts: 76	just go to a local glass shop and ask them for glass samples ,and compare!~ regular plate glass has a green/blue tint from the liquid tin the roll it out on when making it, it leaves some of the tin on the glass thats why its green/blue where as starfire is 99% pure. far as scratching well ,glass doesnt scatch we do, pun intented! i work in alocal glass shop. we have samples for the commercial side, just ask them and youll see the difference.its like looking through glass and not !!

01/31/2006, 10:00 PM	#14
cooder24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: south jersey 08088 Posts: 257	so frow what i gathered it is only much better than regular glass if you are using a pane larger than 1/2 inch thick? __________________ NJ RC member Current Tank Info: 135g RR and plotting

01/31/2006, 10:23 PM	#16
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	it's better period. __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

01/31/2006, 10:23 PM	#17
man1410 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 321	yes!! __________________ ... Current Tank Info: 180G Starphire front, 3X 250W Radiums, custom stand and canopy, Aqua C skimmer, Red sea 250 Ozone

02/01/2006, 07:20 AM	#18
glasstech Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: hickory,nc Posts: 76	ive samples at my shop thats 3/8 you can hold each next to each other and the differnce is absloute. night to day!! check reefcrazed tank out on he was featured on totm while back maybe 1 or so yrs . hes got 500 ish g tank and hes got 1" starfire which is 2x 1/2" laminated pieces, starfire will run u around 10 to 12$ square ft. + shipping if u do it ur self.

02/01/2006, 08:29 AM	#19
scooter86 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 380	Absolutely yes. My 180 has Starfie on the front only. The comparison between the side panels and the front is absolutely unbelievable. If I did it again, I would get Starfire on the sides as well. __________________ Be nice to the people you meet on the way up, because you are going to meet the same people on the way down. Current Tank Info: 180 reef 155 african

02/01/2006, 09:14 AM	#20
s10willy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 404	glasstech - Have you had experience with starfire scratching easier than regular glass?

02/01/2006, 12:44 PM	#21
Psyire Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,870	I have a 3 sided Starphire 180g and love it. This glass is tough, I haven't scratched it and I have hard silica sand. BUT get true PPG starphire, there are other alternatives that may be less scratch resistant. IMO, the 'window' into your sea, should be the best quality possible. (it only makes sense)

02/01/2006, 01:07 PM	#22
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	This thead has some info you might be interested in. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ight=starphire And here is a pic of a tank I had a few years ago - low iron front/sides, regular bottom - __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

02/01/2006, 08:53 PM	#23
glasstech Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: hickory,nc Posts: 76	have not had ne problems with scrathing, but ppg is a good supplier we get alot of glass from them , also coastal glass and , aci. just check your area and see who offers it, just try to cut out the middle man if possible, id go with PPG. if u can order it from them.ive only been able to get it in 1/4 ,,3/8,, and 1/2 inch. if your so worried about scratching it. then treat it like acrylic !! just take your time go slow cleaning it.

02/01/2006, 09:03 PM	#24
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	I forgot - I had two low iron tanks and never scratched them. I used magnet cleaners - but I have a habit that even with glass, I use acrylic pads. PPG also told me that they'll be releasing 5/8" and 3/4" at some point this year. __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

02/01/2006, 10:46 PM	#25
cerreta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,551	amazing difference as seen in the photo. My buddy has a starfire front and one side. The side against the wall is regular glass. When looking through the standard glass panel, the water looks yellowish-green compared to the starfire sides. My next custom will be starfire. __________________ Cheers, Scott