Acrylic vs. Glass

Woodstock · 04-24-2006, 10:53 PM

Which do you prefer and why? With my soon to be upgrade, I have run into another delima... acrylic or glass??

I am very old fashion and think that glass, although heavier, is better... longevity wise, durability, and structually more sound. Am I wrong? Tell me why?

oreatej · 04-24-2006, 10:55 PM

Go acrylic!

Woodstock · 04-24-2006, 10:57 PM

Okay... but why? You might just own stock in an acrylic factory!

billyr98 · 04-24-2006, 10:58 PM

I think glass... very durable! And doesn't scratch as easy... and we like rocks!!!
Big acrylic tanks ARE expensive

and a link for reading!!
http://www.firsttankguide.net/tanktype.php

cheeks69 · 04-24-2006, 10:58 PM

I have an acrylic tank and I don't think there's any question that acrylic is much stroger then glass. When I'm cleaning the tank and reaching the back of my 30"wide tank I'll put most of my weight on the tank something I would NEVER do on a glass tank ! The biggest problem with acrylic is scratching it, really can't be avoided which really SUCKS

ReefLady · 04-24-2006, 11:00 PM

My 12 yo cleans my glass with our Tiger Float. 'nuff said - glass it is. ;-)

Woodstock · 04-24-2006, 11:02 PM

Okay.... here is a question... how does UV from strong MH play into the acrylic longevity?? Not too good for them?

billyr98 · 04-24-2006, 11:19 PM

Good Question!!! Any answers???!?!?!?

oreatej · 04-24-2006, 11:39 PM

That is from direct halide light, so if you cover any exposed acrylic on the top of the aquarium with a foam. You will eliminate the UV light, which could cause it to craze.

-Josh

Frankie · 04-25-2006, 12:03 AM

I say glass is the best in our hobby. Not only dose acrylic yellow over time but it crazes (hair like crackling) around the edges. This i know of from the 600 gal. i restored at the LFS in NY. And then yes, you have a tank that scratchs easy, distorts from bowing and can melt over time too. The only good thing i can think of with acrylic is that any home body can drill it with a black and decker drill

They make good sumps though......

Witfull · 04-25-2006, 03:47 AM

Friends dont let friends buy plastic~

i hate scratches and with sand, rocks, and coraline growth sooner or later it will scratch. then stuff grows in the scratch, making it look even worse.

Gina · 04-25-2006, 05:43 AM

I have to vote for glass also.
I've seen alot of acrylic tanks that are absolutely beautiful but, I don't like the idea of how much easier they scratch and glass is cheaper which gives you extra money for the fish and corals!

tikimon · 04-25-2006, 01:40 PM

I like the look and feel of acrylic. However, it is easy to scratch. If you have pets, kids, or a high traffic area. glass is probably the way to go. The biggest advantage of acrylic would have to go to the DIY'ers. It is very easy to work with and bonds together incredibly. If you can't afford that large tank from the LFS, building your own from acrylic may be worth the extra care.

Woodstock · 04-25-2006, 01:43 PM

I have someone that could get me great deals on an acrylic tank...

Quote:

Okay.... here is a question... how does UV from strong MH play into the acrylic longevity?? Not too good for them?

That is a major concern of mine as well as crazing.

tikimon · 04-25-2006, 02:04 PM

If you can acquire acrylic at a price that better fits your budget I say go for it. We can all agree that acrylic scratches easily, but there are products that help ease the pain. Novus makes a great polisher for use on the outer surface.
Rainbow makes one as well that can fix scratches on inside surfaces. For my acrylic tank I made my own repair chamber. A four sided acrylic box with a silicon gasket. This enables me to pump water out of the section that needs to be polished. The pressure from the tank holds it in place. The big thing to remember with acrylic is that you can't use standard scrapers on inside surfaces. And for outside, you can't clean with windex and paper towels.
I use an eyeglass cloth and have had good results.

View Poll Results: Acrylic vs. Glass
Acrylic	20	21.28%
Glass	74	78.72%
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

04-24-2006, 10:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,861 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Acrylic vs. Glass Which do you prefer and why? With my soon to be upgrade, I have run into another delima... acrylic or glass?? I am very old fashion and think that glass, although heavier, is better... longevity wise, durability, and structually more sound. Am I wrong? Tell me why? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

04-24-2006, 10:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
oreatej Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 8 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass Go acrylic! __________________ If you see me running, you'll see one of these behind me:

04-24-2006, 10:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,861 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass Okay... but why? You might just own stock in an acrylic factory! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

04-24-2006, 10:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass I think glass... very durable! And doesn't scratch as easy... and we like rocks!!! Big acrylic tanks ARE expensive and a link for reading!! http://www.firsttankguide.net/tanktype.php __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

04-24-2006, 10:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 6,630 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass I have an acrylic tank and I don't think there's any question that acrylic is much stroger then glass. When I'm cleaning the tank and reaching the back of my 30"wide tank I'll put most of my weight on the tank something I would NEVER do on a glass tank ! The biggest problem with acrylic is scratching it, really can't be avoided which really SUCKS __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

04-24-2006, 11:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,029 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass My 12 yo cleans my glass with our Tiger Float. 'nuff said - glass it is. ;-) __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

04-24-2006, 11:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,861 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass Okay.... here is a question... how does UV from strong MH play into the acrylic longevity?? Not too good for them? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

04-24-2006, 11:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass Good Question!!! Any answers???!?!?!? __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

04-24-2006, 11:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
oreatej Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 8 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass That is from direct halide light, so if you cover any exposed acrylic on the top of the aquarium with a foam. You will eliminate the UV light, which could cause it to craze. -Josh __________________ If you see me running, you'll see one of these behind me:

04-25-2006, 12:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 7,128 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass I say glass is the best in our hobby. Not only dose acrylic yellow over time but it crazes (hair like crackling) around the edges. This i know of from the 600 gal. i restored at the LFS in NY. And then yes, you have a tank that scratchs easy, distorts from bowing and can melt over time too. The only good thing i can think of with acrylic is that any home body can drill it with a black and decker drill They make good sumps though......

04-25-2006, 05:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,823 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass I have to vote for glass also. I've seen alot of acrylic tanks that are absolutely beautiful but, I don't like the idea of how much easier they scratch and glass is cheaper which gives you extra money for the fish and corals! __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-25-2006, 01:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
tikimon Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Waterford, CT Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass I like the look and feel of acrylic. However, it is easy to scratch. If you have pets, kids, or a high traffic area. glass is probably the way to go. The biggest advantage of acrylic would have to go to the DIY'ers. It is very easy to work with and bonds together incredibly. If you can't afford that large tank from the LFS, building your own from acrylic may be worth the extra care.

04-25-2006, 02:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
tikimon Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Waterford, CT Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Acrylic vs. Glass If you can acquire acrylic at a price that better fits your budget I say go for it. We can all agree that acrylic scratches easily, but there are products that help ease the pain. Novus makes a great polisher for use on the outer surface. Rainbow makes one as well that can fix scratches on inside surfaces. For my acrylic tank I made my own repair chamber. A four sided acrylic box with a silicon gasket. This enables me to pump water out of the section that needs to be polished. The pressure from the tank holds it in place. The big thing to remember with acrylic is that you can't use standard scrapers on inside surfaces. And for outside, you can't clean with windex and paper towels. I use an eyeglass cloth and have had good results.

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