New Set Up -- Acrylic or Glass?

CSpolsky · 03-25-2006, 09:01 AM

I've hear both sides of the equation from the sellers, but would love to get unbiased feedback from those that really know...

My only concern with acrylic are scratches (unless I should have other concerns?). I've been told that scratches are fairly easy to get out. Is it true? I'd go with glass, but I'm looking at half cylinder acrylic tank and can purchase a standard size at a reasonable price. Oceanic sells a glass cylinder, but do not offer many size options.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Caoineag · 03-25-2006, 09:43 AM

I would do acrylic if you can afford it and are NOT going to have triggers, puffers, or urchins. All of these animals will gouge acrylic. You can get more variety. The key with acrylic is get it from a producer you trust.

That said, I have all glass tanks. I love them, I just don't trust them beyond 180 because of the amount of pressure. My largest is a 125g that I am in the process of setting up. I have had my 55g for three years and through two moves and it still is in great shape. For warranty on the glass ones you have to usually buy the stand from the manafacturer as well.

Also if you are a major clutz, you may not like the acrylic, my husband recently dropped a large rock in our 125 that scratched the bottom a little but would have been far worse in acrylic.

So the answer, it depends on you

VWD · 03-25-2006, 09:47 AM

If it was me I would buy the acrylic tank any day over a glass tank. The view is much better, It like looking at the tank with nothing between you and the water. I have both in the same room, I wish they where all acrylic. Then You have glass is so heavy and a hassle to move, as far as scratches, If You are careful you won't scratch your tank. I service and clean acrylic tanks everyday and they don't scratch that easy. You just have to be careful.and you will if you pay the higher price of acyclic.

combiemaster · 03-25-2006, 08:38 PM

hi guys i have a question i am planing on get a 50-70 G acrylic in the next couple of months is there any other diference between glass and acrylic like temperature change due to environment weather would it be easier to maintain. i have head they are about 17 times stronger than glass. is there any chance they can leak. (i am a total newb at acrylic sorry about all the questions. Is a sump really required for one of these tanks. also one concern i have is with the weight. I live on the 3rd floor (i know this is gona sound dumb but would there be any problem with all that weight from the water+sand+rock. any chance the floor can give away???? Or a floor board crack or something of that sort anything like this happen to anyone????????

dobejazz · 03-25-2006, 08:54 PM

Acrylic is lighter than glass (the rocks and water weigh the same in either tank LOL) My acrylic tank has a lifetime warranty against leaks. I would think a sump is *required* for glass or acrylic just to keep the uglies (skimmer, heater ect) out of the display. A sump also makes maintenance much easier

Caoineag · 03-25-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by combiemaster

hi guys i have a question i am planing on get a 50-70 G acrylic in the next couple of months is there any other diference between glass and acrylic like temperature change due to environment weather would it be easier to maintain. i have head they are about 17 times stronger than glass. is there any chance they can leak. (i am a total newb at acrylic sorry about all the questions. Is a sump really required for one of these tanks. also one concern i have is with the weight. I live on the 3rd floor (i know this is gona sound dumb but would there be any problem with all that weight from the water+sand+rock. any chance the floor can give away???? Or a floor board crack or something of that sort anything like this happen to anyone????????

Just make sure the tank is length wise across as many beams as possible. With a 50-70g though you should be fine. I had my 55g on a wood floor in a very poorly built apartment building and never had a concern.

theplatypus · 03-25-2006, 09:37 PM

The ability to drill a hole anywhere pretty much sold me on acryllic.

combiemaster · 03-26-2006, 12:54 AM

wow you can drill it and it wont crack. so for a sump on one of these big tanks would be just like the sump in a nano. water will over flow into the sump then it will go thru a power filter then a pump then back into the tank right correct me if i am wrong. because not to sure the way it work i just put water in the nano and it work hehe

dobejazz · 03-26-2006, 01:02 AM

For a bigger tank get a "reef ready" one it will already be set up for a sump your would only need to drlll if you wanted a CLS for more flow

Casey · 03-26-2006, 07:03 AM

Acrylic for me.

CSpolsky welcome to TRT.

VWD · 03-26-2006, 09:07 AM

Yes Welcome to TRT!!!

Geoff · 03-26-2006, 09:42 AM

glass for me. with a diamond hole saw, you can put a hole anywhere on glass also. and they cost about the same as a normal hole saw if you know where to look.

i really hate the diffraction coefficient in acrylic. i have looked at a lot of tanks and i can not stand looking off angle at an acrylic tank. yes it is clearer, but it just distorts everything if you look at the tank at an angle. i do not like the insulating properties of the acrylic. it is hard enough keeping a tank cool, i do not want the tank itself keeping the heat in.

it really is a personal preference they are both very good materials. most of the time when a tank is over 180g people go with acrylic, just due to the weight.

G~

Casey · 03-26-2006, 10:06 AM

Ok since G has put down acrylic I must put down glass,first its heavy and if it scratches you are screwed,I hate the silicone corners,Tims urchin was eating his silicone,glass can break easy if your stand is Diy and not completly level,glass tanks allow for more rapid temp flucuations which I do not want,you can also get Acrylic tanks with square coners for no distortion ok I feel better now he gave his opinion I gave mine

CSpolsky · 03-26-2006, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. As well as the insights. Since it sounds like scratches are manageable, I'm leaning towards a reef ready Tenecor acrylic (the other choice was Oceanic glass). I'm sure I'll have additional questions/postings as I get ready for my new set up so I look forward to hearing from everyone in the near future.

One question -- dobejazz mentined a "CLS" -- what is this?

Casey · 03-26-2006, 03:59 PM

CLS= is simply holes drilled in the tank that take water out and into a pump them more holes drilled to blow the water back in for more flow in the tank.

New Set Up -- Acrylic or Glass?

Thanks...