hi guys new to the forums and i'd like some advice on a planted tank that i'll be getting in the not-so-distant-future, and i'd like your advice on whether i should get a glass aquarium or an acrylic, i've noticed that virtually all people here have glass aquariums, is there any particular reason why that is?
i've read that acrylic shows true colours better, is lighter,stronger and insulates better, so other than scratching easier is there any major disadvantage?
I've had my 55g acrylic tank for almost 20 years and it hasn't become cloudy from mineral deposits. I used to live in San Diego nine years ago and the water is hard there. Also, I have no trouble removing GSA, I use Dobie pads and they don't scratch. If you get a surface scratch, it can be polished out.
The clarity of acrylic is better than glass.
To me, the main disadvantage of acrylic is the top of the tank isn't open like a glass aquarium and it makes it a little more challenging working in your tank.
i've read that acrylic shows true colours better, is lighter,stronger and insulates better, so other than scratching easier is there any major disadvantage?
Once you get some green spot algae on an acrylic tank and try to remove it you will swear off acrylic tanks forever! That was my experience with them. The only way I was finally able to remove the green spots was with one of the plastic pot scrubbers, but that left fine scratches on the acrylic too. If that were not the problem it is, I would much prefer acrylic tanks.
Not only does the acrylic scratch a million times easier, but mine are showing stress points after being used for a 1.5 years. They're only 5g, thank goodness, but there is no reason for the stress points to be showing up. But they are there. I'll have to replace the tank if those stress points start to leak.
Not only does the acrylic scratch a million times easier, but mine are showing stress points after being used for a 1.5 years. They're only 5g, thank goodness, but there is no reason for the stress points to be showing up. But they are there. I'll have to replace the tank if those stress points start to leak.
Well, I guess my experience with acrylic is unique on here because I've had both acrylic and glass tanks over many years of fish keeping and I actually prefer acrylic to glass hand down. Yes acrylic scratches much easier than glass and yes it costs more up front. But in the long run acrylic can be much cheaper if you factor in the "it will most likely never break" rule. I've owned one 55 gallon tank for more than 20 years and have moved it with it all over the country. At the same time I've lost several glass tanks which broke in transit, even though the movers packed it just like they did my acrylic tanks. Does my acrylic have a few scratches, you bet. But mostly around the bottom where the gravel level normally sits, and so I dont even see the scratches until the tank is empty.
I've never had any scratches bad enough to have to try and remove them. If you're careful not to scratch your acrylic tank you'll be glad you got it, vs glass. Simply never clean it with anything that is not safe for acrylic. Another big plus is that I can move my empty 55 gallon by myself easily. Try that with a glass tank of the same size?
The only reason most people go with glass is because its cheaper to buy, and therefore more available at your LFS. Any poorly made tank can leak over time, so a leak wont be because its acrylic or glass but rather how well its put together. Same with how your fish look through it, i.e colors etc. Glass tanks will cloud up from hard water and micro-scratches too caused by abrasive cleaning. And cheap glass will distort the images just like poor quality acrylic will.
So think about how you want your tank to look. Will it be a relatively temporary setup? Will you have to move it a couple times? Have a couple friends who'll help you move that heavy glass tank? A big factor for me was I dislike the boxy squared, sharp corners of most glass tanks. Acrylics have so much more flexibility in what you can do. Smooth round corners for example look great in acrylic and much more difficult to do in glass. And if you do find them, they cost a bundle.
Well, I am going to play the Devil's Advocate here. I guess it all comes down to trade offs and what you are prepared to live with.
I have read a lot of horror stories about glass tanks leaking big time and causing issues. I guess that is a risk long term anytime you have a tank that is held in place by silicone. This happened to me on two different tanks. Fortunately, it happened during a water change and I was home for damage control. Many of the acrylic tanks are one peace seamless units. I could be wrong but I don't see how you would get major leakage on these since there is are no silicone based joints.
The other issue that I have read about is some cases of spontaneous cracking of glass and the disaster this has caused. With many people these things seem to happen when they are not home to catch it. I am sure that it is possible for plastic to crack but whether it can crack and totally split with the velocity and impact of glass tanks is another story.
well i was thinking of a relativly small 20-30 gallon tank, theres an acrylic shop here, so i thought that aslong as the acrylic is of good quality it'd be ok, the major reason why i want acrylic over glass is cause everything inside looks so much clearer than through glass, and the rounded corners, that can be achieved through bending the plastic, also its gonna be on a low traffic area, but i dont know which to go for now, these stories of acrylic scratching easily scare me from even touching it, cause its probably hard to get them off
the scratching of the acrylic can be easily managed if you are careful during your routine maintenance. i currently have 3 acrylic tanks and generally prefer them for all the reasons mention. i've had one up and running for about 15 years without issue... EXCEPT when the wife's friend's kids came over and saw one of those magnetic scrubbers sitting on the back of the tank one day. sigh... BIG sigh... let's just say i now lock up everything related to the fish, tanks, etc.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Planted Tank Forum
3.5M posts
130.6K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!