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#Post#: 1289--------------------------------------------------
Glass vs. Acrylic
By: Cichlider Date: October 9, 2014, 8:07 pm
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Hey everyone!
I've been looking (or dreaming) of a bigger tank (thinking in
the 240 gallon range), but I'm not sure exactly what type of
tank is best. I've only ever kept glass tanks, and they are
beautiful, but I can't even imagine how much a 240 glass
aquarium would weigh.
So acrylic beats the glass in weight, but then (from what I've
heard--correct me if I'm wrong) acrylic scratches really easy,
and scratches can be very unsightly.
Also, not sure as to which would be more durable long-term, in
case of buying a used tank. (Not sure which one is cheaper
new/used).
What do you guys think? Which one would you choose, and why?
Thanks everyone! ;D ;D
#Post#: 1295--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: probn Date: October 9, 2014, 9:48 pm
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acrylic tanks are expensive than glass tanks and as you have
said they scratch easily but thay have less weight than glass
I prefer glass tanks cause they are cheap and acrylic is not
readily available in my country ;D
#Post#: 1297--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: mrk13p Date: October 10, 2014, 1:12 am
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for me, anything over 125 is gonna be acrylic. anything under
125, i prefer glass. For obvious reasons, weight being the most
important. Ive refinished acrylic tanks and its not hard at all
so the scratching doesnt bother me.
#Post#: 1299--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: Stu4648 Date: October 10, 2014, 1:26 am
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I have heard that acrylic can yellow with age although someone
who has had acrylic tanks for a while can hopefully confirm or
deny that one. I think I would go glass up until the point the
custom tank builders say that's as big as we can do it with
glass.
#Post#: 1303--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: Cichlider Date: October 10, 2014, 6:24 am
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[quote author=mrk13p link=topic=226.msg1297#msg1297
date=1412921538]
for me, anything over 125 is gonna be acrylic. anything under
125, i prefer glass. For obvious reasons, weight being the most
important. Ive refinished acrylic tanks and its not hard at all
so the scratching doesnt bother me.
[/quote]
Very nice! How exactly did you refinish the acrylic? :)
Might be worth buying used if its able to be refinished somehow
to smooth out the scratches! ;D
#Post#: 1304--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: Cichlider Date: October 10, 2014, 6:25 am
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[quote author=Stu4648 link=topic=226.msg1299#msg1299
date=1412922368]
I have heard that acrylic can yellow with age although someone
who has had acrylic tanks for a while can hopefully confirm or
deny that one. I think I would go glass up until the point the
custom tank builders say that's as big as we can do it with
glass.
[/quote]
Oh really? I have never heard the yellowing issue! Thanks for
your input! :)
Has anyone had experience with an acrylic tank yellowing? And if
so, how long did it last before it started to yellow? :o
#Post#: 1305--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: Cichlider Date: October 10, 2014, 6:27 am
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[quote author=probn link=topic=226.msg1295#msg1295
date=1412909319]
acrylic tanks are expensive than glass tanks and as you have
said they scratch easily but thay have less weight than glass
I prefer glass tanks cause they are cheap and acrylic is not
readily available in my country ;D
[/quote]
Yeah, I am really drawn to the weight difference when it becomes
so big! My current glass tank was a huge struggle to move simply
because of how much it weighed.. Not really excited about
upgrading in weight, but really would like to upgrade in size at
some point! :P :P
#Post#: 1308--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: Stu4648 Date: October 10, 2014, 7:19 am
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There will always be specialists somewhere that can move pretty
much any tank. Even huge custom tanks can be moved, although it
may require some dismantling first if it is physically too large
to fit through any available doors or windows (glass pane
removed in advance of course).
#Post#: 1314--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: probn Date: October 10, 2014, 10:55 am
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I know that struggle when you say glass tanks are hard to move
recently I also moved my 4 ft tank and it was such a pain :(
#Post#: 1446--------------------------------------------------
Re: Glass vs. Acrylic
By: mrk13p Date: October 15, 2014, 8:05 pm
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[quote author=Cichlider link=topic=226.msg1303#msg1303
date=1412940245]
[quote author=mrk13p link=topic=226.msg1297#msg1297
date=1412921538]
for me, anything over 125 is gonna be acrylic. anything under
125, i prefer glass. For obvious reasons, weight being the most
important. Ive refinished acrylic tanks and its not hard at all
so the scratching doesnt bother me.
[/quote]
Very nice! How exactly did you refinish the acrylic? :)
Might be worth buying used if its able to be refinished somehow
to smooth out the scratches! ;D
[/quote]
pretty simple process if you do some handy work at home. In my
area, going rate is $1 per gallon to refinish. I got tired of
that so i did some youtube research. in short, process includes
wet sanding. i did 800 all the way up to 3000 with a palm sander
and a spray bottle. I then finished with novus 2 and 3 with an
orbital buffer. a ton of youtube vids buddy. hope this helps
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