The scratching on acrylic isn't that bad if it's not excessive. Of course, you could never use an algae scraper on it(used one on my 5 gallon and it just tore it up). Acrylic doesn't break as easy, too.
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Acrylic Vs. Glass Aquariums
- Thread starter guppygal
- Start date
I like my acrylic. I've had it over a year, with no scratching issues. The algae scraping pads specifically for acrylic work great.
One downside, the top on my 29g Seaclear restricts access somewhat when trying to clean, catch a fish, etc. The access is either under the light (~5 in wide) or the thinner access area along the back for the filter, feeding, etc.
One downside, the top on my 29g Seaclear restricts access somewhat when trying to clean, catch a fish, etc. The access is either under the light (~5 in wide) or the thinner access area along the back for the filter, feeding, etc.
I have a 90 gal seaclear. It is aesthetically pleasing, and I like that it is lighter and the corners look great. I have had mine for a year and have no scratches on mine.
i would never use glass unless it's an ada made tank. Acrylic is just so much better:
1) Almost ZERO chance of it breaking/cracking and spill water all over the floor
2) The clarity!!!!!!!!!!! It's like an aquarium suspended in thin air
3) Much lighter
And to be honest i really dont see it been easily scratched, i have had my 50 gallon seaclear for over a year now and it's still like new condition? of course i dont have kids running around...
1) Almost ZERO chance of it breaking/cracking and spill water all over the floor
2) The clarity!!!!!!!!!!! It's like an aquarium suspended in thin air
3) Much lighter
And to be honest i really dont see it been easily scratched, i have had my 50 gallon seaclear for over a year now and it's still like new condition? of course i dont have kids running around...
Rallysman said:
that has nothing to do with been acrylic, it just means whoever made the tank didnt use a thick enough cell cast. Glass bows just as easily if not thick enough,
LOL!!!!! That made my day.....sorry, but that's not right. I want to see glass that will bow like that (not preformed).gagaliya said:
Weight does NOT matter unless you're moving it. I cannot see how anyone can even consider the weight of any tank (tank only) to be a factor.
It makes no sense (unless you're moving it, of course)!
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I was sold a bum 80 gallon tank that was all glass and the thing almost burst open on me. I'm bringing mention to it because before I lowered the water level the top center of the tank was bowing forward almost an inch.
The center peice thats suppsoed to prevent bowing popped off and as thick as the glass was the thing bowed forward like soft plastic.
Glass can bend forward. =)
I have two glass tanks and a small 5 gal acrylic and I have to say glass tanks look muuuuuuch nicer. The corners may not be as nice but there is less distortion and it takes some good work to scratch a glass tank ....
The center peice thats suppsoed to prevent bowing popped off and as thick as the glass was the thing bowed forward like soft plastic.
Glass can bend forward. =)
I have two glass tanks and a small 5 gal acrylic and I have to say glass tanks look muuuuuuch nicer. The corners may not be as nice but there is less distortion and it takes some good work to scratch a glass tank ....
Ok...I'm an Okie newbie, and the first thing I learned here was the little fishy I got for my birthday would not be happy for very long in the 2.5 bowl he was wrapped in.
And that led to my first fishy visit to the PetSmart up the road. (All previous visits were dog and cat related..and I still have my Perks card). It was close to late-thrity on a Saturday evening, but the fishy folks were still there and asked ME plenty of questions such as what kind of fish I had, how many did I think I would be adding, etc. BEFORE taking me to the tank aisle. Decisions, decisions !
One thing I had to decide in a hurry was the size. Besides not having a lot of space to work with in the living room, I also have a very small car. I literally fell in love with a 29 gallon acylic bowfront with a black frame at top and bottom. It was kitted as TopFin, and had most everything a newbie would need.. filter, light, cover, thermometer and heater, and came stocked with a good set of information for setup and cycling.
Bonus point 1....it just fit in the trunk of the car, the gravel, decos, testers, and Python rode up front with me. Bonus point 2, it was a manageable weight for me to get it from the car to the house. Weight may not be a factor again for a long time, but for someone who lives alone and only has their own old arms and back to handle the chores...it was a big consideration just to get it home and set up. I went back 2 days later and got a stand that is made for the tank...all black matte with a front bow, split with open shelves and glassed in shelves.
I figured the best way for me to make fishies part of my life was to set them up where they would be part of my life, not in another room...it would be like banishing a dog or cat to the back yard. Net of things...it's a perfect fit for the fish, the area I had to work with, my physical abilities, and my ecclectic tastes. So far no scratches, and Python has some nice cleaining materials made just for the acrylics.
The silly old fart part is...I have now spent close to $500 as a result of a $5 birthday gift. Do I have a prayer in the world? :dive2:
And that led to my first fishy visit to the PetSmart up the road. (All previous visits were dog and cat related..and I still have my Perks card). It was close to late-thrity on a Saturday evening, but the fishy folks were still there and asked ME plenty of questions such as what kind of fish I had, how many did I think I would be adding, etc. BEFORE taking me to the tank aisle. Decisions, decisions !
One thing I had to decide in a hurry was the size. Besides not having a lot of space to work with in the living room, I also have a very small car. I literally fell in love with a 29 gallon acylic bowfront with a black frame at top and bottom. It was kitted as TopFin, and had most everything a newbie would need.. filter, light, cover, thermometer and heater, and came stocked with a good set of information for setup and cycling.
Bonus point 1....it just fit in the trunk of the car, the gravel, decos, testers, and Python rode up front with me. Bonus point 2, it was a manageable weight for me to get it from the car to the house. Weight may not be a factor again for a long time, but for someone who lives alone and only has their own old arms and back to handle the chores...it was a big consideration just to get it home and set up. I went back 2 days later and got a stand that is made for the tank...all black matte with a front bow, split with open shelves and glassed in shelves.
I figured the best way for me to make fishies part of my life was to set them up where they would be part of my life, not in another room...it would be like banishing a dog or cat to the back yard. Net of things...it's a perfect fit for the fish, the area I had to work with, my physical abilities, and my ecclectic tastes. So far no scratches, and Python has some nice cleaining materials made just for the acrylics.
The silly old fart part is...I have now spent close to $500 as a result of a $5 birthday gift. Do I have a prayer in the world? :dive2:
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