glass or acrylic tank?

seraph · 11-04-2005, 01:52 PM

I have a 6 gallon acrylic tank (Eclipse) and I really like it... I am considering getting a 20 gallon and am looking at the SeaClear acrylic tank and the Eclipse hood with light and filtering will fit on it... I read in their ad that the acrylic is 17 times stronger than the glass. Also, there are no seams in the acrylic and acrylic is much lighter.

So... what are the benefits to having glass instead of acrylic?

fishboy · 11-04-2005, 01:54 PM

Glass is cheaper, period in my mind if you're willing to pay for acrylic do it

CroW · 11-04-2005, 02:16 PM

Acrylic is lighter, stronger, has better insulating properties, and transmits more light. Meaning you can see through it more clearly.
The only down side I see is that acrylic does scratch easier, but that can be dealt with.
Glass tanks are cheaper more readily available.
Assuming you have the bit of extra $$, get acrylic.

seraph · 11-04-2005, 03:33 PM

Thanks... I'll be staying with the acrylic then... I just wanted to make sure I was making the right decision.

Ethos · 11-04-2005, 04:43 PM

Actually, acrylic tanks are only worth their moneys' worth if its 60+.
A 20G glass and a 20G acrylic will only have a 10-20 pound difference, but it'll cost alot more.
I'd go for glass, since its cheaper and more readily available.
Acrylic is more expansive and really is only any good when you have a very large tank.
It scratches very easily, and large scratches DO NOT come out.

**Damon** · 11-04-2005, 09:21 PM

You can get different shapes with acrylic. Besides the weight, thats the big selling point of acrylic.

fishboy · 11-04-2005, 09:31 PM

it's very durable as well, not that you'll be cutting it but my friend does it all the time

**Fishfirst** · 11-04-2005, 10:55 PM

acryllic has its downsides... scratches is a big one... for that reason alone I won't get an acryllic tank... I've seen people accidentally scratch acryllic WAY too easy to make it a constant burden on the tank. Save the dough and get a little bigger tank with the saved money.

cucci67 · 11-05-2005, 10:21 AM

You can get a 29 gallon glass kit for about the price of a 20 gallon acrylic kit.

11-04-2005, 01:52 PM	#1
seraph Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 38 Posts: 35	glass or acrylic tank? I have a 6 gallon acrylic tank (Eclipse) and I really like it... I am considering getting a 20 gallon and am looking at the SeaClear acrylic tank and the Eclipse hood with light and filtering will fit on it... I read in their ad that the acrylic is 17 times stronger than the glass. Also, there are no seams in the acrylic and acrylic is much lighter. So... what are the benefits to having glass instead of acrylic?

11-04-2005, 01:54 PM	#2
fishboy Custom User Title Join Date: Feb 2005 Age: 16 Posts: 1,656	Glass is cheaper, period in my mind if you're willing to pay for acrylic do it __________________ It is only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything

11-04-2005, 02:16 PM	#3
CroW Fishy Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 28 Posts: 29	Acrylic is lighter, stronger, has better insulating properties, and transmits more light. Meaning you can see through it more clearly. The only down side I see is that acrylic does scratch easier, but that can be dealt with. Glass tanks are cheaper more readily available. Assuming you have the bit of extra $$, get acrylic. __________________ 55 Gallon 12 Cardinal Tetras 10 Rummy Nose Tetras 4 Angels 3 Clown Loaches 1 Ottos Ramshorn Snails Heavily Planted with Jungle Vals, C. Wendtii, Micro Swords, Amazon Swords, Dwarf Sag, Dwarf Hairgrass, Giant Hairgrass, Java Ferns, and Baby Tears. 29 Gallon 1 Common Pleco Ramshorn Snails Waiting for Cherry Shrimp Planted with Cabomba, Baby Tears, Amazon Swords, Dwarf Hairgrass and Micro-Swords.

11-04-2005, 04:43 PM	#5
Ethos "What is Love?" Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St Paul, Minnesota Age: 17 Posts: 32	Actually, acrylic tanks are only worth their moneys' worth if its 60+. A 20G glass and a 20G acrylic will only have a 10-20 pound difference, but it'll cost alot more. I'd go for glass, since its cheaper and more readily available. Acrylic is more expansive and really is only any good when you have a very large tank. It scratches very easily, and large scratches DO NOT come out. __________________ 55 Gallon: African Cichlids - Mbunas 10 Gallon: 6 White Clouds 10 Gallon Nano: 8 pounds Fiji Live Rock 1 Gold Clam 5 Gallon: 1 Male Betta 2 Corys (2)1.5 Gallons: Bettas

11-04-2005, 09:21 PM	#6
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	You can get different shapes with acrylic. Besides the weight, thats the big selling point of acrylic. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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11-04-2005, 03:33 PM	#4
seraph Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 38 Posts: 35	Thanks... I'll be staying with the acrylic then... I just wanted to make sure I was making the right decision.

11-04-2005, 09:31 PM	#7
fishboy Custom User Title Join Date: Feb 2005 Age: 16 Posts: 1,656	it's very durable as well, not that you'll be cutting it but my friend does it all the time __________________ It is only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything

11-04-2005, 10:55 PM	#8
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Soon to be Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,506	acryllic has its downsides... scratches is a big one... for that reason alone I won't get an acryllic tank... I've seen people accidentally scratch acryllic WAY too easy to make it a constant burden on the tank. Save the dough and get a little bigger tank with the saved money. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

11-05-2005, 10:21 AM	#9
cucci67 No Longer Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 481	You can get a 29 gallon glass kit for about the price of a 20 gallon acrylic kit.

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