What is clearer-starphire glass or acrylic

[jt481]

Heres a pic from glasscages.com showing a comparison between regular glass and starphire glass. I know acrylic is clearer than regular but what about the starphire?

 

[Anonymous]

glass cages doesn't use real starphire. they use 'low iron glass'

go with another company.

Acrylic might be a tiny bit clearer to start with. But once you scratch it, the starphire (which can scratch easily as well) will be clearer.

If you can afford the weight difference, and the rigidity of glass (you dont' live in an earthquake zone) then go with the starphire.

B

 

[jt481]

yeah I have certainly scratched regular glass before. Am I misreading your reply? Does starphire glass scratch easier than regular?

What I like about glasscages are all the options regarding different sizes and customizing such-like all the cubes (checking into their 30x30x31 120 cube) or all there rimless tanks. The trims on the regular tanks leave a bit to be desired though, kinda makes me wanna a canopy on one where I normally would not.

 

[Anonymous]

yes. Starphire will scratch easier than regluar glass. Additionally, there's a 'good' side and a 'bad' side when it's used for an aquarium. If the 'bad' side is in towards the water it can develop pits. It's something in the manufacturing process. IIRC it has to do with which side of the sheet was up and which side is down when they make the glass.

But I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. I used starphire for my tank and I'll never go back.

Getting a custom tank from glass cages? Then you might want to read this:
http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=93692

B

 

[jt481]

Another fine example of how wonderful reefs.org is. In the past few hours I have learned the difference, advantages, and disadvantages of low-iron glass, Staphire (a brand of low iron glass), regular glass, and acrylic. I have also reaf too many horror stories about Glasscages.com

I am awaiting an email from GC, I will probably send them another now telling them never mind.

Thank you

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are all set. But FWIW, acrylic is more clear than low iron glass. But unless you go with something in the thickness of several inches, it probably won't make much of a difference.

(You can see thru 8 ft of acrylic. Yes, feet).

 

[Anonymous]

The difference between regular glass and starphire glass in actual practice and implementation has never been worth the massive price difference to me. Looking at two pieces of glass sitting on a table is one thing, looking at a fully set up tank is another. I've never once looked at one of my tanks and said "hey, it's tinted green, must be because of the glass"

I didn't look at my acrylic, in-wall 150 and marvel at how much clearer it was than my glass tank.

It comes down to what resources you have available, and if spending the extra on starphire, which is considerable, makes sense given your overall budget. Will you still be able to afford the skimmer you want? The lights? What about all the live rock?

Acrylic is very clear, but I'll never use it for a marine tank again.