Acrylic VS. Glass

[AikidoGuy]

My 450gallon tank was acrylic and there were 2 things i did not like about it.

1. scratches VERY easily!!

2. small openings in the top made it very difficult to fit large objects into the tank. Even in a tank of that size.

The tank was made by Tenecor. They are a bit pricey as you mentioned.

IMO the only con for the glass is the weight. My 220gallon weights a freakin ton!

 

[bayoupr]

I've been having my 125g acrylic for 3yrs now and and the future I will buy acrylic instead of glass. I have scratches on mine but you don't see them when it's full of water. The only time I see them is when the algae grows on the sides, but I don't let it get that bad. Super light, easy to move, more expensive but well worth it. I like glass too, but acrylic much better.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

j/k

I think he's referring to the thread itself. ...being an 'old' thread and all.

 

[NikkO]

Id go with acrylic because of their ability to handle flexing and impacts more, and cost. I had a tank/sump break during shipping, but I got a refund for the tank. If it were small aquariums I'd go with glass since there's no reason to drill or cut the glass to install an overflow or piping.

 

[rosita]

As I live in a mobile home and don't trust it's weight-bearing capacities, I don't think I'll ever have a really huge tank, so I vote for GLASS. Being an artist I've worked with acrylic, plexi and lexan, and they DO have great qualities. But I like the solidity and clarity of the glass--and my "kids'" toys are all rubber (dogs). :dance:

 

[Soulmanure]

I'm acrylic all the way, even after having a horrible scratch removal experience. It was horrible, I tell you, just horrible. Only the love of fish got me through it. Anyway, acrylic does scratch easily, and you do have to be careful. On the other hand, most scratches are not visible unless you look for them.

But the thing that keeps me in the acrylic camp is that I think acrylic tanks just look better. Though some angles have distortion, a lit acrylic tank at night is a much more vibrant, alive experience for me.

 

[corykid]

glass for big aquariums, acrylic for smaller ones

 

[icecubez189]

well this is an old thread....

anyways, i like glass especially bow fronts.

 

[Rallysman]

Glass. most of the reasons are already mentioned. For those who thing acrylic wont scratch easily........get 1 grain of sand stuck in a mag float and see what happens.

The weight issue makes me laugh, who cares? Once it's moved it's a non-issue.