[FlyTekk]

Im about to buy a rimless 48x24x16h from Deep Blue. They have a edge model thats reef ready and has low iron glass. And they have a plant model that is not reef ready and does not have low iron glass. The difference between the 2 is $100.

I am not building a planted tank. Nor am i building a reef. Just want a clean minimalist aquascape of driftwood and sand and a few small geophagus tapajos. Will use a fluval 406, not a sump or wetdry. So if i choose the reef ready version to get the low iron glass i would have to go about caping the holes that were drilled and either removing the overflow or using it to hide heaters etc.

Question is it worth all the hassle $100 and extra work on tank to get low iron tank. I wont have any plants and wont be taking any pictures.

I dont mind spending the extra $100 its the removal of overflow and capping of drilled holes that has me worried. I also thought of capping holes and using a maxijet or 2 inside the overflow to pump water our allowing my to skim water from top and hide heaters in there.

But again not sure. Will the Low iron glass make any diff?

 

[D3monic]

If you where taking lots of pictures I would say go for the starphire in a heart beat... i really wish my tank had it at least for the front piece.

But, honestly getting the RR tank sounds like it will be more hassle than its worth and you save $100. If I was you I would just get the plant model.

 

[FlyTekk]

Why do you say you wish you had it on your tank? Is it really that clearer? If it is a big difference i wouldnt think it twice to pay $100 and cap the holes.

 

[jeremyTR]

Does low iron glass even make a difference or is it just a marketing ploy?

Sent from my HTC Evo 4G

 

[FlyTekk]

Thats kinda what im trying to figure out.

 

[FlyTekk]

Like when i clean the algae off the glass sometimes after being lazy for a week or two im like.... "wow! Soooo clear!" And thats with regular glass. I cant imagine how much more cleared can it get with low iron glass.

 

[jeremyTR]

Hahai did that the other day. I was like "dang my water looks bad" then I cleaned the glass and was like "oooohh way better!"

Sent from my HTC Evo 4G

 

[jmowbray]

No low iron glass is not a sale tactic. the glass we are used to actually has a yellow appearance where as low iron is actually blueish. I will be putting an order in for my 90G salt reef tank and will be going with 3 side of the starphire and one of the regular. It may not be a big deal with planted tanks since most colors will be green red or a combination of. However, in reefs where the color palate is endless it makes a big difference. From tanks that I've seen with it, it looks like fish are just floating is air and that you could reach though it and touch them.

 

[wastedtime]

Starphire glass makes a huge difference when used with thicker tanks. but on tanks with thickness of 1/4" it is not going to be a massive difference.

The only difference between regular and starphire glass is that the starphire does not have a green tinge to it. But yes it is a difference, wether you can notice it or not on smaller tanks is a totally different thing. I dont own one.. so I cant comment on it.

 

[aznartist34]

It definitely makes a difference. You might not be able to tell if you look at the 2 individually but if you have both next to each other the clarity is very noticeable.

 

[Wasserpest]

You will not sit in front of your filled tank and say "wow, this is starphire clear" or "wow, I should have gotten starphire". From that point of view, there isn't much difference.

With very thick panes (1/2"+) regular float glass introduces a slightly greenish hue. Even that would be difficult to detect on a filled fish tank.

Also, apparently low iron glass is softer and more prone to scratches.

So... depends but perhaps going the regular glass would make things easier and cheaper for you.

 

[jeremyTR]

What about acrylic? Isn't it so many more times clearer than glass? At least that's what I heard on that Tanked show one time.

Sent from my HTC Evo 4G

 

[jkan0228]

Acrylic scratches a lot easier. But it's lighter and insulates heat better.

Personally I find them to be about the same in clearness

 

[D3monic]

When doing photography the quality of the photo is only as good as the glass you are shooting through. Not only is this true for the lens but the aquariums glass as well.

I can't tell you how frustrated I get trying to get a good macro shot in focus because the crappy tanks glass is warping it. Mine is a 75gal Marineland and the glass is definatly green tinted. Its even worse when i try to take pics of my friends 180 reef. Can't get a macro shot unless its right up against the glass. I am sure the water has something to do with this as well but I know on my old 28 gal glass was crystal clear.

But like said, unless your going for photography you will probably never miss the starphire. I would be more worried about the capped drains leaking from the RR set up.

 

[D3monic]

I do like that edge tank, if you do go the RR route I suggest running a canister filter instead that way you can utilize the bulkhead drains and overflow.

 

[FlyTekk]

Thats exactly my concern, i dont even know how to safely cap those drains. But thought it would be nice to skim water from top and hide heaters.

I email manufacturer and asked how thick is the glass. Although tank is only 16" high it may be 1/2" or more (doubt more) because it rimless. And a post here said it looks worse once the glass thickness reaches 1/2"+.

 

[FlyTekk]

Demonic you mean use the fluval through the drilled holes?

 

[nvladik]

FlyTekk, tanks are identical. Planted tank has the low iron glass on one side also (it's not starfire). I have it sitting in my garage.

 

[D3monic]

Demonic you mean use the fluval through the drilled holes?

I did some googling and I guess running a canister filter through the bulkheads is a bad idea. Something about the pressure feeding down to the filter. You could still install the bulkheads, Thread a barb fitting and a ball valve and a few feet of tubing into one and use it for quick and easy water changes.

The other bulkhead that feeds the returns could still be used with the return line from the canister filter.

For the suction side of the filter just hang it over the back into the overflow portion. you can still drop your heater and stuff in there out of site.

 

[FlyTekk]

Why did the company tell me no. They said only the "edge" tank has the low iron glass. And that the plant tank is not edge. Im so jealous you have it. Been dying to see how it looks. Have looked all over the web not one pic not one video.