Acrylic or Glass

RonsterNYC · 04-09-2008, 10:29 AM

I am considering upgrading to a 180g acrylic from a 120g glass. Would anyone know the pros and cons and the weight differentials as well as the length/width/depth? Also, where would you get one? Thanks!

Ron

**jhale** · 04-09-2008, 10:33 AM

if you go with acrylic contact Paul / Kimoyo , he builds the best acrylic tanks I've seen in the NY area.

as for the glass vs acrylic debate it's been gone over and over. no matter what you do the acrylic will scratch, depending on how careful you are they can be scratches you can live with. other than that one con, I like acrylic.

RonsterNYC · 04-09-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhale


	if you go with acrylic contact Paul / Kimoyo , he builds the best acrylic tanks I've seen in the NY area. as for the glass vs acrylic debate it's been gone over and over. no matter what you do the acrylic will scratch, depending on how careful you are they can be scratches you can live with. other than that one con, I like acrylic.

thanks Jonathan. I am really mostly concerned with the weight and space needed. I live on a top floor apartment and I'd hate for the tank to come crashing down the guy below me

. Scratches - I am sure I can be extra gentle

Aqua Pro Builder · 04-09-2008, 11:05 AM

acrylics is like 1/2 to 1/3 the weight of glass

jhart · 04-09-2008, 11:07 AM

i like acrylic, for one thing nowhere's as heavy as glass, better optical viewing, , but scratches easy, but so does low iron glass, so when someone says it scratches yes it dose and yes you can buff it out, not that easy with glass when it gets scratches, plus regular glasss has that greenish color , but acrylic after a while years and years it can turn yellowish, also acrylic dosent break as easy as glass duh... I think acrylic is so much clearer than glass. glass is cheaper too for the most part..so it up too you, if you have to carry a tank up a bunch of flight of stairs, That would be my decideing factor.. good luck

RonsterNYC · 04-09-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhart


	i like acrylic, for one thing nowhere's as heavy as glass, better optical viewing, , but scratches easy, but so does low iron glass, so when someone says it scratches yes it dose and yes you can buff it out, not that easy with glass when it gets scratches, plus regular glasss has that greenish color , but acrylic after a while years and years it can turn yellowish, also acrylic dosent break as easy as glass duh... I think acrylic is so much clearer than glass. glass is cheaper too for the most part..so it up too you, if you have to carry a tank up a bunch of flight of stairs, That would be my decideing factor.. good luck

yeah...i remember carrying my tank four flights up the stairs...that was a beotch! i want to find a way to increase the size without adding more weight - that is very important factor in this!

Aqua Pro Builder · 04-09-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonsterNYC


	yeah...i remember carrying my tank four flights up the stairs...that was a beotch! i want to find a way to increase the size without adding more weight - that is very important factor in this!

WOW, four flights up, Gl whatever material you decided on.

**marrone** · 04-09-2008, 12:01 PM

I think the Acrylic is so much clear and brighter than glass, even the low iron glass. It does scratch so you need to be careful. Once you go acrylic you'll never want a glass tank again.

The panels on an acrylic are a lot thinner than a glass tank,which if you plan on getting a larger tank, 6'+ tank, you wouldn't need heavy duty magnets to clean the glass. Also the tank is a lot lighter, two people can pick up a 6' tank without any problems.

Just beware as with acrylic tank you can get fish like puffers, as their teeth can scratch the acrylic. You also need to leave some room in between the front glass and the rocks as snail can also cause scratches as they climb up rocks next to the front glass.

RonsterNYC · 04-09-2008, 12:33 PM

Thanks Marrone! I'd love to get a 6' tank...would you know if a filled 120g glass would weigh as much as a 180g acrylic?

Aqua Pro Builder · 04-09-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonsterNYC


	Thanks Marrone! I'd love to get a 6' tank...would you know if a filled 120g glass would weigh as much as a 180g acrylic?

60 gallon more water will weight as least 360lbs and thus a 180G filled with water will definitely heavier than a 120G glass filled with water.

04-09-2008, 10:29 AM	#1
RonsterNYC Obsessive Reefer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 717 Reefer Ratings: (29) Friends: (0)	Acrylic or Glass I am considering upgrading to a 180g acrylic from a 120g glass. Would anyone know the pros and cons and the weight differentials as well as the length/width/depth? Also, where would you get one? Thanks! Ron __________________ "Life's a Reef" Oceanic 120g Reef Tank - Aqua Medic Ocean Light T5/250W MH Combo - Deltec APF 600 - Deltec PF601 - TradeWinds Super 1/3 HP Chiller.

04-09-2008, 11:05 AM	#4
Aqua Pro Builder Vendor Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Flushing NY 11355 Posts: 4,760 Reefer Ratings: (76) Friends: (22)	acrylics is like 1/2 to 1/3 the weight of glass __________________ Wingo's LED Aquarium Main Light Fixtures, Retrofits n Pleasing Moon Light 350G Round Custom Built Motorized Tank My projects http://AquaproBuilder.SUNSUN-USA.com Email WingoAgency@yahoo.com 347 739 2411 My forum in MR my DBTC offers LEDs for Aquarium, Custom Tanks and Maintenance

04-09-2008, 12:33 PM	#9
RonsterNYC Obsessive Reefer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 717 Reefer Ratings: (29) Friends: (0)	Thanks Marrone! I'd love to get a 6' tank...would you know if a filled 120g glass would weigh as much as a 180g acrylic? __________________ "Life's a Reef" Oceanic 120g Reef Tank - Aqua Medic Ocean Light T5/250W MH Combo - Deltec APF 600 - Deltec PF601 - TradeWinds Super 1/3 HP Chiller.

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04-09-2008, 10:33 AM	#2
jhale paper bags are fun! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 15,277 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (32)	if you go with acrylic contact Paul / Kimoyo , he builds the best acrylic tanks I've seen in the NY area. as for the glass vs acrylic debate it's been gone over and over. no matter what you do the acrylic will scratch, depending on how careful you are they can be scratches you can live with. other than that one con, I like acrylic.

04-09-2008, 11:07 AM	#5
jhart John Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Yonkers Posts: 136 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (0)	i like acrylic, for one thing nowhere's as heavy as glass, better optical viewing, , but scratches easy, but so does low iron glass, so when someone says it scratches yes it dose and yes you can buff it out, not that easy with glass when it gets scratches, plus regular glasss has that greenish color , but acrylic after a while years and years it can turn yellowish, also acrylic dosent break as easy as glass duh... I think acrylic is so much clearer than glass. glass is cheaper too for the most part..so it up too you, if you have to carry a tank up a bunch of flight of stairs, That would be my decideing factor.. good luck

04-09-2008, 12:01 PM	#8
marrone In the Forest Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The BIG City Posts: 5,552 Reefer Ratings: (39) Friends: (6)	I think the Acrylic is so much clear and brighter than glass, even the low iron glass. It does scratch so you need to be careful. Once you go acrylic you'll never want a glass tank again. The panels on an acrylic are a lot thinner than a glass tank,which if you plan on getting a larger tank, 6'+ tank, you wouldn't need heavy duty magnets to clean the glass. Also the tank is a lot lighter, two people can pick up a 6' tank without any problems. Just beware as with acrylic tank you can get fish like puffers, as their teeth can scratch the acrylic. You also need to leave some room in between the front glass and the rocks as snail can also cause scratches as they climb up rocks next to the front glass.