I have been trying to decide for about a year now, and my time is almost up. I am planning on getting a 220g tank from somewhere (any advise where) after the first of the year. It will be my third and hope my last reef. I have a 100g sps tank now, which i built myself. I have been thinking about getting the tank from inter-american (glass tank) or acrylic from tencor. Would like acrylic because of all the advantages over glass, like weight, lifetime guarantee, and the clarity is so much better, but ive been scraping coraline for right many years now , so i know how hard it can be to get off. And this tank will be built in the wall ,so the front glass will not be the easiest to get too. Also ,any body else out there building glass tanks (useing starphire glass) that has a good warranty .
220G Glass or Acrylic
- Thread starter homestead
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Hi,
I have another view. I only use acrylic tanks ( even for reefs ). I really like acrylic tanks due to the lighter weight and extreme durability. Of course acrylic scratches but if you take great care when cleaning with the proper material its not a problem ( IMO ). Two cases in point; my first acrylic tank ended up with lots of tiny scratches ( hard to see ) because I didn't use the proper cleaning equipment. On the other hand, I have a 25 gallon "Teneview" reef tank that is 3 years old and is literally scratch free! I guess the moral of the story is proper cleaning pads and a love for the tank maintenance side of the hobby ( which is what I enjoy ) becuase you do have to be more careful than with a glass tank.
JRF
I have another view. I only use acrylic tanks ( even for reefs ). I really like acrylic tanks due to the lighter weight and extreme durability. Of course acrylic scratches but if you take great care when cleaning with the proper material its not a problem ( IMO ). Two cases in point; my first acrylic tank ended up with lots of tiny scratches ( hard to see ) because I didn't use the proper cleaning equipment. On the other hand, I have a 25 gallon "Teneview" reef tank that is 3 years old and is literally scratch free! I guess the moral of the story is proper cleaning pads and a love for the tank maintenance side of the hobby ( which is what I enjoy ) becuase you do have to be more careful than with a glass tank.
JRF
Golfish, read it again, he said it right. You missed the word "than".
I'm interested in this topic too. I'm not ready for my new tank yet. I'm leaning towards glass. Tank will prolly be a 300G 8' tall by 30" wide by 30" deep.
Where would be the best place to get a tank like this? It's never to soon to start planning!
Louey
I'm interested in this topic too. I'm not ready for my new tank yet. I'm leaning towards glass. Tank will prolly be a 300G 8' tall by 30" wide by 30" deep.
Where would be the best place to get a tank like this? It's never to soon to start planning!
Louey
Louey":3575s8kl said:
Louey,
I have a buddy who has a tank very close to the one you mentioned above. Its glass 8' x 24" tall x 36" wide. We\He has moved it 4 times (empty) since he's gotten it. Silly guy just can't settle on where he want's to put it. Its not to bad to move but it does take 6 guys.
bump ^^^
Looking for more opinions on the acrylic vs. glass issue.
All you 200G plus guys, what are your tanks made of and do you regret it?
My LFS *shudder* says he would never even consider putting a 300G glass tank in his house. He says the durability of acrylic is hands down the sole reason for his thinking. He says the odds of the glass blowing out one day are high, compared to that of acrylic. Lifetime warranty vs. 1 years is pretty alarming!
Also, can't scratches in acrylic (on the outside) be repaired using 600-1000 grit sandpaper, or some other method?
Louey
Looking for more opinions on the acrylic vs. glass issue.
All you 200G plus guys, what are your tanks made of and do you regret it?
My LFS *shudder* says he would never even consider putting a 300G glass tank in his house. He says the durability of acrylic is hands down the sole reason for his thinking. He says the odds of the glass blowing out one day are high, compared to that of acrylic. Lifetime warranty vs. 1 years is pretty alarming!
Also, can't scratches in acrylic (on the outside) be repaired using 600-1000 grit sandpaper, or some other method?
Louey
Thanks for bringing it back up, because i still havent made up my mind, but i can say that im still leaning towards glass, and inter-american has about the best prices that i can find so far, im just wondering about the quality of their tanks now, because this tank will be up for a long time ,and im realy worried about leaks. Tenacor does offer lifetime warranty on acrylic tanks, but im too worried about the scratching. Just bought a 46g bow front today, just so i can have some where to put some sps till i get my 220 g, if i ever decide on where to get it. Dont know how im going to get the sps out of my 100g tank now, the 200lb of rock is completely covered and they are taking over each other.
Hey,
I would go glass. I have had 3 count them again 3 acrylic tanks split/rupture/break on me.
first one was a SeaClear 85g. split right down the back corner. I caught it in time. and had it replaced with a 180g Clear for life. The water is clear for life on my floor!!!!
this time it split on the top front corner. I had 85g's of sweet reef water on my living room floor.
the last was a small 20g. hospital. they replaced it and i still have it. After that. Never will i buy an acrylic tank for a reef. that is in any big size anyway. Go with glass....
I would go glass. I have had 3 count them again 3 acrylic tanks split/rupture/break on me.
first one was a SeaClear 85g. split right down the back corner. I caught it in time. and had it replaced with a 180g Clear for life. The water is clear for life on my floor!!!!
this time it split on the top front corner. I had 85g's of sweet reef water on my living room floor.
the last was a small 20g. hospital. they replaced it and i still have it. After that. Never will i buy an acrylic tank for a reef. that is in any big size anyway. Go with glass....
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