New reason why Glass is better than acrylic

[CWO4GUNNER]

I have been on the fence about buying acrylic or glass for my next large aquarium 225-300. I almost bought an acrylic until I saw what one looks like used. Now I'm still on the fence with weight being the most important factor on my mind. I recently found out I could buy a 300 acrylic tank for $1800 delivered to my door step, 96x24x30 that weighs only 247 pounds lol, while the same tank in glass would weigh over 600 pounds and cost twice as much. Most of us know all the pros and cons but the latest reason against acrylic I diden't expect to be shown by my LFS. My LFS incidentally use mostly acrylic, they showed me the teeth scratch marks that fish leave on the inside of the acrylic aquarium which totally surprised me. Can you believe it, fish can actually leave embedded teeth marks on the inside of acrylic tanks, I mean marks as visible as tool marks. So I'm back in the glass group for now and looking for used again maybe only 125-150 max to curb the weight and availability, as I havent seen one used glass tank over 180.

[biggdadyapisto]

I can, acrylic is really soft considerably speaking so yeah. also I just like glass in general don't know why but I'm partial to it

[CWO4GUNNER]

I know, when a large glass aquarium is sitting there all set up or even empty who wouldn't agree that glass isn't more appealing? However it all becomes much too awful when you try and move one over 125 gallons and the wight threatens to crack the glass if you don't support it on its sides or you need the neighbors or family members to help you move it. It would be great if they were modular with O-ring stainless steel frames and clamps. You could empty it, disassemble the four sides and carry each 100+ pound side out to be moved, a doable one man task. I guess if I'm serious about buying a bigger used glass tank at a bargain Ill have to give myself a month to get in shape because I know moving a 150+ glass aquarium is going to be a painful experience.

[thebrandon]

acrylic looks stunning brand new, and depending on how careful you are while setting it up and maintaining it, and your fish choice, they can stay beautiful, but it's just too easy to mess one up.

not to steel your thread, but how do you get rid of acrylic scratches?!

[BoCoMo]

acrylic looks stunning brand new, and depending on how careful you are while setting it up and maintaining it, and your fish choice, they can stay beautiful, but it's just too easy to mess one up.

not to steel your thread, but how do you get rid of acrylic scratches?!

lots of elbow grease and the proper wet sanding grits (they sell kits) acrylic is more insulating and thus cheaper to run. my small tanks are glass my large acrylic.

[biggdadyapisto]

buff them out.

oops bocomo got it first.

[7itanium]

I disagree fully.. I think that acrylic tanks are much more attractive and even moreso in a practicle manner

I still own one glass tank but they are slowly being replaced by acrylic

as to the teeth mark thing... I can see how it would be possible with large fish- but it is easily enough buffed out if it gets severe enough to be an issue

[The Zigman]

I have heard that Plecos can damage acrylic tanks..

[7itanium]

I have heard that Plecos can damage acrylic tanks..

hmm... never had an issue with this-- and I have kept (and still keep) MANY plecos in acrylic tanks

I can see how it could happen... but it never has to me

[Bansart]

I have owned glass tanks for the most part of my hobby and they are more resilient to scratches, on the other hand it is very heavy indeed. I like em both,

I am going to post a thread soon, i am restoring an acrylic tank I purchased from craigslist. I purchased a scratch removal kit for $40 shipped online and will be posting some pics soon.

[Arkangel77]

I have had countless Glass tanks and only 1 acrylic. I like the finish of the large acrylic but I hate the way they scratch. I prefer glass myslef but you are right. They are the SUCK to move!

Arkangel77

[justahannah]

I bought a buffing kit from home depot to attach to my drill for $10 for the scratchy tank I just picked up as well, so I'll also post a review on how it does. I must say I LOVE being able to carry a 75 gallon tank alone, that never happened with my glass 46.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Man I hate being on this fence lol.

[Arkangel77]

Well I know they are heavy - heck I dropped my 225 when I moved it (that repair was no fun) It chipped the slab floor of the house lol. Still though - I am a glass guy. I guess if there was a way to easily remove the scratches then maybe? I just dont trust thoes scratch removal kits. Its not like you can move a 300lb acrylic by yourself anyway? Have Justahannah build your stand and you will be in GOOD shape!

[excuzzzeme]

There are pros and cons to anything and it makes both sides right in their opinion as to why they like one or the other. My personal choice is for glass. I am willing to trade off the weight for ease of care. Having had other acrylic item, I found it especially hard to maintain a clean surface without scratching it. Because I am "anti-waterspot" (it gives me something to do) I wipe down the glass several times a day. Having multiple tanks causes me to fill my time by keeping them clean. Acrylic would need buffing, etc under those conditions.

[CWO4GUNNER]

"Having multiple tanks causes me to fill my time by keeping them clean. Acrylic would need buffing, etc under those conditions."

That's true. I found out my Oceanic Systems tank I bought used was 10 years old but after a canopy and stand refinish and glass polishing its like brand new. Now I just wipe the outside down every other day with RO/WDV and the inside with a magnet cleaner and its a gem to look through. What would an acrylic tank look like in 10 years. I remember our acrylic security camera housings would completely haze up and crumble after 5 years. Even an acrylic motorcycle wind screen gets scuffed up from cleaning with a paper towl after a year or so.
OK I think Im convinced. Since Im not rich and really cant afford to buy a new acrylic anyway, I guess Ill stick with somthing I know from exspirience I can bring back from years of neglect. Glass it is, oh I can already feel my back going out lol.

[severum mama]

I have heard that Plecos can damage acrylic tanks..
Totally true.


hmm... never had an issue with this-- and I have kept (and still keep) MANY plecos in acrylic tanks

I can see how it could happen... but it never has to me
Lucky you... it happened to me. It was a 3 inch tiger pleco that did it. There were little teeth marks all over the acrylic. I'm pretty much done with acrylic tanks unless I were to find a KILLER deal on a huge tank. Our house is on a concrete slab so we aren't too concerned with the weight of our tanks anyway.

[Zebulon]

Acrylic has some major pros like a better refraction ratio to water, and the "invisible" rounded front corners. The idea of welding a tank shut at the seams is also pretty satisfying... However, I really think the cons outweigh, and I'm not sure I could ever buy a plastic fish tank. It all boils down to durability.

Weight is an issue for shipping and/or moving, sure, but those things happen infrequently. I think the choice should be based on what the tank will do 99.9% of the time not just portability. Besides, getting 10 guys together to move a tank is also sorta prestigious, don't you agree? And in those cases the heavier the better.

Frankly, I wish we had a material even stronger than glass. To get something softer goes against everything I believe in.

[SuBXeRo]

i dont think i will ever buy an acrylic tank just because of the scratch issues. The weight to me, is of little concern because how often are you moving a tank, especially of the magnitude that you are talking. Even though there is a very decent weight difference in the tank itself, at the weight you are talking full of water and substrate and decor, weight is a concern no matter what tank you purchase.

Glass, once scratched is a lost cause unfortunately whereas acrylic it can be buffed. However, glass is far more scratch resistant. by the way, 1800 for an acrylic tank is expensive, i dont know where you are finding a glass one that is more expensive than that, i suppose shipping is a *****, i guess in the end, with shipping to your door, costs would probably equal out.

have you tried www.glasscages.com (http://www.glasscages.com) ?

[CWO4GUNNER]

Frankly, I wish we had a material even stronger than glass. To get something softer goes against everything I believe in.

Transparent Aluminum, its coming...
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/20033

And I get the part about 99% usage and 1% transport. My mom & pop LFS really tried to talk me out of acrylic and when I asked why they use it almost exclusively, they said for ease of cut pluming the sides of 50 tanks into one large jacuzzi pump filter and manifold. But at home they only have glass.

[biggdadyapisto]

thats crazy awesome!

[shwank005]

I bet that'll be expensive.

As to the OP, my vote is for the glass. Even though I have a 100gal acrylic, I'm planning on mostly glass for my fish shed. I don't like the way the front of a large acrylic tank bulges, and scratches, and can't be scraped with a razor.

[milesalive]

glass cheaper more durable nuff said

[Star_Rider]

glass may not be cheaper if you factor in shipping. it is considerably heavier.

I am hesitant to say it is more durable since it is prone to chipping and breakage.

acrylic is more spendy but it is lighter.. it is also flexible and resists chipping.

that said.. i prefer glass mostly because I like using hard edge scrapers.(razor blades)

[CWO4GUNNER]

Again thank you everyone for your thoughts. Although it may seem on occasion that I had already made up my mind when asking such a question, I can assure you that your comments really help support the conviction either way. In this case you have defiantly help me feel much better about perusing glass as an dependable, durable, and recyclable standard, even if it means I will have to settle for a sized under 225 unless I site build my own.

[BoCoMo]

glass may not be cheaper if you factor in shipping. it is considerably heavier.

I am hesitant to say it is more durable since it is prone to chipping and breakage.

acrylic is more spendy but it is lighter.. it is also flexible and resists chipping.

that said.. i prefer glass mostly because I like using hard edge scrapers.(razor blades)

True! Steel wool also (don't look at me all crazy - it works!)

I have both glass and acrylic. I agree with the cons outweighing the pros on acrylic - that being said if there is little chance of your tanks inside being scratched or if there is a chance your aquarium may take a bump or two (high traffic area) the insurance of having acrylic is nice. All my small tanks are glass and my only (for the moment) large tank is acrylic - If I ever I get my big tank (350ish is big to me) It will probably be built in so it will be more thank likely plywood with a glass front (throwing another option into the mix) any thing bigger that I ever own will be probably by outdoors in the form of a pond :D

[BoCoMo]

Transparent Aluminum, its coming...
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/20033

And I get the part about 99% usage and 1% transport. My mom & pop LFS really tried to talk me out of acrylic and when I asked why they use it almost exclusively, they said for ease of cut pluming the sides of 50 tanks into one large jacuzzi pump filter and manifold. But at home they only have glass.

very cool but it raises the question - why is there not (or is there?) an acrylic tank with an anti-scratch coating (one that actually works) on the inside and outside of the tank? If this is out there I would love to know. The coating would obviously need to be transparent and tough enough not to scratch as well as stand up to frequent cleaning (be able to take at least a 3M scuff pad)

[Riiz]

I dont know if this has been mentioned before yet, but glass is nice if the tank is setup around children and pets. I've seen nice acrylic tanks ruined by little hands with toys or finding the mag-float unattended.

[CWO4GUNNER]

I have heard the same thing from my mom & pop LFS who have almost all acrylic as store displays. That acrylic is great for multiple displays to sell fish as people could care lass and never notice the scratches. But for home display it is not good especially if you have big pets like dogs or kids with sharp toys like a good friend with a 5 year old and a fork. However if your a retailer or biologist with many tanks, glass is not an option and acrylic is the only way to go.

[Rbishop]

Yes, but the acrylic tank handles a tonka truck being thrown at it much better than glass..

[squabeggs]

very cool but it raises the question - why is there not (or is there?) an acrylic tank with an anti-scratch coating (one that actually works) on the inside and outside of the tank? If this is out there I would love to know. The coating would obviously need to be transparent and tough enough not to scratch as well as stand up to frequent cleaning (be able to take at least a 3M scuff pad)

Speaking of 3M...they make clear film that is cut to shape for acrylic headlight protection...I wonder if you could get large sheets to at least cover the outside of an acrylic tank. I'll have to ask my source about how much and how big...hmmm. If it will protect headlights from roadgrime and rocks..it is also a UV protectant to prevent yellowing and hazing.

You could also check for autobody shops that do the "clear bra" for cars...same type of thing...although I don't know if that is spray or sticker.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Yes, but the acrylic tank handles a tonka truck being thrown at it much better than glass..

Aren't all Tonka's made of plastic now? I remember 30 years ago their slogan was "all metal" but my kids never got metal. I must admit though I did crack the side of my show 25 gallon 30 years ago when I tapped on the glass with a tool hardened chisel I forged in metal shop. All I did was barely tap the glass to get the attention of my 6" Oscar and it sent a 4" crack in the corner which I was able to cover over the weeping crack with layers of tar sealer.

[BoCoMo]

Speaking of 3M...they make clear film that is cut to shape for acrylic headlight protection...I wonder if you could get large sheets to at least cover the outside of an acrylic tank. I'll have to ask my source about how much and how big...hmmm. If it will protect headlights from roadgrime and rocks..it is also a UV protectant to prevent yellowing and hazing.

You could also check for autobody shops that do the "clear bra" for cars...same type of thing...although I don't know if that is spray or sticker.

You will have to let us know what you find out about this!


Aren't all Tonka's made of plastic now? I remember 30 years ago their slogan was "all metal" but my kids never got metal. I must admit though I did crack the side of my show 25 gallon 30 years ago when I tapped on the glass with a tool hardened chisel I forged in metal shop. All I did was barely tap the glass to get the attention of my 6" Oscar and it sent a 4" crack in the corner which I was able to cover over the weeping crack with layers of tar sealer.

that sucked

[GEV83]

My good lord a tonka truck. I remember those i had a metal one. Ive had stuff thrown at my old aquarium before and it never broke or cracked or chipped. Darn my litle sibblings lol. I no longer have that aquarium since it broke in the garage had it on the floor and someone got careless saw the side bashed in so had to junk it. Miss that 40gal. I prefer glass over acrylic I wouldnt trust myself with acrylic due to scratches plus i like big cichlids and well to have to buff out scratched inside and out seems like to much of a hassle also when needing to move my 60gal from one side of the room to the other I have no problems I just push it where i want it while its still filled slowly of course. Its heavy but moveable for me anyways.

[squabeggs]

http://www.xpel.com/products/paint.asp

Up to 54" wide @ 38.00/ft
..so yeah it's a little expensive, but might be worth protecting your investment.

The headlight stuff is much thicker and a bit more expensive...plus they only make it a max size of 26" × 36"

There are other brands out there, but probably about the same price.

[Star_Rider]

problem with many of the protecting coatings.. they may distort the the acrylic and may also cloud up between the layers. the coating itself may scratch over time.(if it is a thin layer of plastic)