Looking to switch over to an Acrylic Tank
- Thread starter vder
- Start date
- Location
- Connecticut
I really like the tank. Then I started to imagine adding things, arranging rocks and cleaning the glass. Access openings seem small and inconvevient.
Definite problem with small openings, and off center overflow is hard to aquascape, unless you are using it as room divider.
- Location
- The Big City
Acrylic tanks are made like a box, with the opening cut into the top. Depending on the size of the openings it can be hard to move things around, get in nets to catch fish or even get your hands and arms in it. Also, the lip is recessed back, which makes it hard to clean the front of the glass if you use a brush.
From looking at the pictures the openings are small and there is a pretty big lip on them. Also, it would be better to have 2 large openings instead of 3 smaller ones.
From looking at the pictures the openings are small and there is a pretty big lip on them. Also, it would be better to have 2 large openings instead of 3 smaller ones.
Looks like a real nice tank. I would only get that one you pictured if you plan on making it completely walk around. Otherwise I feel that overflow would be real annoying. If it won't be a walk around I would pass.
However, I prefer glass as well I don't like the idea that acrylic is easy to scratch.
However, I prefer glass as well I don't like the idea that acrylic is easy to scratch.
- Location
- Westchester, N.Y
I like the dimension but the top is a problem. Small opening will be headache. I like the tank not top. If the price is right maybe...
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- Location
- bayonne / nj
You can always make the top openings bigger
- Location
- Spring Hill, FL
Agree it's a nice tank, especially when they are new and have no scratches...LOL however with the top like that would be a mission to clean, move and catch. And as much you or anyone try to avoid putting there hands in the tank, we all do.
- Location
- The Big City
Looking closer at the pictures there are actually 4 openings on top, as there is a small one over the overflow. I would have them cut the openings on the left, which would then connect them together and you'll have one big on the left and the smaller one on the right. If possible also cut the lip smaller, especially on the front. Also, with the overflow in the middle you may have problems with the lights, unless you make this a FO or Fowlr tank.
- Location
- Wallingford, CT
Acrylic tanks scare me. The only acrylic tanks that I have seen that were 4' and longer and did not bow were tanks made with 3/4"~1" panels.
If you set the tank up and don't like it... Free, would have been too much $ !
IMO, it's a great price because no one else wants it...
I really appreciate all the feedback received to date. I still think I may go look at the tank and see how hard it is to work inside of it due to the size of the opening o the top. Sometimes pictures can be misleading one way or another.
Does anyone see an issue with it from an operating point of view? The holes are predrilled in the over flow. One hole inside the overflow is 1.5? and the other is 1.75?.
Some have recommended passing on the tank and I am leaning that way. Can anyone recommend some vendors that build quality tanks and actually get back to you in a timely manner?
Does anyone see an issue with it from an operating point of view? The holes are predrilled in the over flow. One hole inside the overflow is 1.5? and the other is 1.75?.
Some have recommended passing on the tank and I am leaning that way. Can anyone recommend some vendors that build quality tanks and actually get back to you in a timely manner?
- Location
- Spring Hill, FL
- Location
- NY
My biggest regret in reefing and setting up my first tank was going acrylic. I'm unbelievably fastidious and kept my magnet cleaner at least a couple inches above the sandbed. That became a worthless attempt at avoiding scratches. Invariably, I don't care how **** you are, how carefully you think you'll perform your maintenance routine, you WILL scratch the acrylic.
The holes in the tank pictured are tiny. Try putting a decent size piece of LR in there. All I can say is, good luck with that.
Bowing, no doubt about it on that tank. Might not be in the first six months or even a year, but it will bow....noticeably.
As everyone before me has stated, the negatives outweigh any possible (and I can't think of ANY) positives that are drawing you to that or any acrylic tank.
Don't do it! You will kick yourself in the derriere down the road thinking back to this thread and everyone warning you not to do it.
Go glass!
The holes in the tank pictured are tiny. Try putting a decent size piece of LR in there. All I can say is, good luck with that.
Bowing, no doubt about it on that tank. Might not be in the first six months or even a year, but it will bow....noticeably.
As everyone before me has stated, the negatives outweigh any possible (and I can't think of ANY) positives that are drawing you to that or any acrylic tank.
Don't do it! You will kick yourself in the derriere down the road thinking back to this thread and everyone warning you not to do it.
Go glass!
- Location
- NY
Wow, the word f-a-s-t-i-d-i-o-u-s is a filtered word? :banghead:
- Location
- Spring Hill, FL
Well said!!!!
-1
Glass can also be scratched...BUT it can't be fixed!
I have a couple of acrylic tanks that are ~ 20 yrs old and look like new... personally, I would not purchase a glass tank, because you can't remove scratches, and it's very hard to 'modify' (I have often drilled new/additional drain and return holes)...
Are you sure that it wasn't a 4 letter word, beginning with an 'a'?
- Location
- The Big City
+1
And not to mention that sharphire glass also scratches a lot easier then regular glass, and you can't remove those scratches either.
There are a lot of plus with acrylic tanks, different shapes and size, very light weight, super super clear and they just seem to glow when you turn on the light, and you don't have to worry about a silicone seem leaking, and even if a seem did you can bring the water level down and bonded it instantly.
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