acrylic vs glass tanks

slipsiu · 05-02-2008, 11:25 AM

I am trying to decide between an acrylic or glass tank somewhere in the range of 120 gallons. The shop down the block has this really nice bow front acrylic tank but another has a bow front glass tank. Any opinions or experiences on the pros and cons of each. Steve

DirtyDawg10 · 05-02-2008, 11:31 AM

One major con in my book is that the acrylic scratches much easier than the glass.

joephys · 05-02-2008, 12:22 PM

Acrylic
Pros:

Very light
Stronger than glass
More transparent
Holds heat in better.

Cons:

Scratches easily
Euro-bracing can make maintenance difficult
expensive
sides can bow out

Glass Pros:
relatively cheap
more expensive low iron glass is almost as clear as acrylic
doesn't scratch easily
Easier to find
typically doesn't have euro-bracing so maintenance is easier

Glass cons
Heavy
Thicker standard glass will look greener
tempered glass can't be drilled.

akapaul26 · 05-02-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joephys

Acrylic
Pros:

Very light
Stronger than glass
More transparent
Holds heat in better.

Cons:

Scratches easily
Euro-bracing can make maintenance difficult
expensive
sides can bow out

Glass Pros:
relatively cheap
more expensive low iron glass is almost as clear as acrylic
doesn't scratch easily
Easier to find
typically doesn't have euro-bracing so maintenance is easier

Glass cons
Heavy
Thicker standard glass will look greener
tempered glass can't be drilled.

Nice list of pros and cons!

Rallysman · 05-02-2008, 01:33 PM

Keep in mind that weight only matters when you're moving it. IMO glass is the way to go.

RTR · 05-02-2008, 02:16 PM

I used to have both. Nothing but glass now.

Personal choice item.

wesleydnunder · 05-02-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTR

I used to have both. Nothing but glass now.

Personal choice item.

Ditto.

Mark

slipsiu · 05-02-2008, 07:13 PM

Thanks to everyone. Going wth Oceanic glass. Steve

zippo · 05-03-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipsiu

Thanks to everyone. Going wth Oceanic glass. Steve

Might check out glasscages.com too before making your mind up. They have some nice stuff.

RTR · 05-03-2008, 02:30 PM

Although part of another company now, Oceanic still has the best tanks IMHO & IME. perfect seams, perfectly matched glass, and saphire is available for extra $.

joephys · 05-04-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippo

Might check out glasscages.com too before making your mind up. They have some nice stuff.

I have heard to many bad stories about glasscages.com Bad sealant jobs, bad customer service, and just reading their "warranty" that basically says if something is wrong with their tanks, its someone else's fault, I won't shop from them. I have never heard a bad thing about an oceanic tank.

05-02-2008, 11:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
slipsiu Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2	acrylic vs glass tanks I am trying to decide between an acrylic or glass tank somewhere in the range of 120 gallons. The shop down the block has this really nice bow front acrylic tank but another has a bow front glass tank. Any opinions or experiences on the pros and cons of each. Steve

05-02-2008, 11:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
DirtyDawg10 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,198	One major con in my book is that the acrylic scratches much easier than the glass. __________________ Derek Self-Proclaimed FUTURE Fish Master IN TRAINING

05-02-2008, 02:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
RTR RTR Join Date: May 2006 Location: Exurban MD, USA Posts: 834	I used to have both. Nothing but glass now. Personal choice item. __________________ Where's the fish? - Neptune

05-03-2008, 02:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
RTR RTR Join Date: May 2006 Location: Exurban MD, USA Posts: 834	Although part of another company now, Oceanic still has the best tanks IMHO & IME. perfect seams, perfectly matched glass, and saphire is available for extra $. __________________ Where's the fish? - Neptune

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-02-2008, 12:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
joephys Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: auburn, wa Posts: 4,365	Acrylic Pros: Very light Stronger than glass More transparent Holds heat in better. Cons: Scratches easily Euro-bracing can make maintenance difficult expensive sides can bow out Glass Pros: relatively cheap more expensive low iron glass is almost as clear as acrylic doesn't scratch easily Easier to find typically doesn't have euro-bracing so maintenance is easier Glass cons Heavy Thicker standard glass will look greener tempered glass can't be drilled.

05-02-2008, 01:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rallysman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 463	Keep in mind that weight only matters when you're moving it. IMO glass is the way to go.

05-02-2008, 07:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
slipsiu Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2	Thanks to everyone. Going wth Oceanic glass. Steve

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)