Acrylic VS. Glass

[Watcher74]

I have so far preferred glass aquariums. However, I have been reading about the pros and cons of glass vs acrylic aquariums and it seems that except for acrylic being easy to scratch, they beat out glass aquariums in every category but cost.

I am curious to find out what all of you think. And your reasons behind your decision.

 

[daveedka]

Glass to me is much better, it's harder to scratch, cleans easier, and is stronger (arguably) the one major disadvantage is the limitations on shapes with glass.

 

[RTR]

Acrylic is too soft for me.

 

[hcgirl80]

I Like Glass. There Are Too Many Kids In My House That Put Their Hands On The Aquariums To Have Acrylic.

 

[Hans]

darn acrylic scratches way to easy, plus it melts when you hold a lighter to it for a long time

 

[cgrabe]

Originally posted by Hans
darn acrylic scratches way to easy, plus it melts when you hold a lighter to it for a long time

...

Are you in the habit of holding a lighter to your aquarium for long periods of time?

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Originally posted by Hans
darn acrylic scratches way to easy, plus it melts when you hold a lighter to it for a long time

If an idiot would be so stupid as to hold a lighter up to an aquarium, then they deserve to have the **** thing melt away.

 

[Rockin_Sunset]

hey

i say glass because acrylicscratches easily.

and hans have you actually held a lighter to the tank ?

 

[daveedka]

darn acrylic scratches way to easy, plus it melts when you hold a lighter to it for a long time

Consider the source, even when he's serious there is usually a joke involved.

 

[slvrcvc]

i bought a 40gal acrylic a couple weeks ago and paid more than I would have than getting a glass 40gal. To me I liked the rounded corners and its weight I could move it around very easily.

Plus to me from what I've read so far acrylic is stronger and although it may be easy to scratch you'd have to really try with effort to scratch it. Like scraping it with a stone or having a kid smack it with a toy really hard. I also have seen some acrylic scratch repair kits online. Dont know how well they work but also read that today's acrylic aqauariums are harder to scratch than older acrylic aquariums say 5-10 years ago.

I guess its personal preference but I know I plan to keep my aquarium away from the kids's toys and they know well enough not to tap on the glass and have learned to be careful around the tanks and fishes.