Large Cichlids and Acrylic Tanks

[louiemarsh]

All,

I am planning on setting up a 400ish gallon aquarium. My goal was to have a large owner aggressive cichlid like an Umbee. (also leaning towards Midas since from what I read they are king of the glass rushers but I wanted a fish that gets over 2 foot)

Anyway, I was wanting to get an acrylic tank mainly due to the empty weight making it easier to get into the house (400ish pounds versus 800ish pounds for glass). I was told by the manufacture that in the past triggers have scratched acrylic tanks by biting but I was wondering if anyone has ever had a cichlid do the same? I am sure Triggers bite way harder then any cichlid but I was curious if anyone has ever had their fish scratch the tank.
\
Thanks in advance

 

[Flowerhorn916]

Well most big cichlids are diggers so they usally scratch the tank by knocking rocks into it. One of my lfs has a huge red devil that they have had for 10+ years and he has smashed alot of rocks into his acrilic tank and it is very scratched up.

 

[Sully]

My cichlids have created some "fine" scratches on the sides of an acrylic tank. I did worse damage one day with a mag float. Not too bad. Have a scratch repair kit. Just have not used it because I am the only one that notices.

 

[louiemarsh]

I am actually going to try something different with this tank and keep it as a bare bottom. Going to use a bottom drain to gravity feed into a small holding tank then dump into a vortex settling chamber below the tank. So, gravel and rocks will not be an issue. I am just worried about teeth making marks