Acrlyic VS. Glass.

[leebca]

I'd add to Ninong's original list:

Acrylic can craze. A small area can have some crazing, almost unnoticeable. That crazing usually spreads. The crazing effect looks like tiny cracks in the plastic. More visually an issue than a functional defect. This condition is caused at time of manufacturing and anyone buying an acrylic aquarium should inspect it closely for this feature.

I wouldn't consider buying anything other than an acrylic. For FOWLR I don't worry much about coralline cleaning. But for me the primary value is in its insulating ability. Living in a hot climate I use a chiller 365 days a year and the insulating ability is a plus in this case.

I live in a mobile home so the weight is my second consideration and acrylic wins on that count.

If it weren't for the above two things, I would still choose acrylic after keeping aquariums (glass and acrylic) for more than 35 years.

[Doodaa]

I have never done it, but I know people polish scratches out of glass. I've read in this thread that you can polish the scratches out of acrylic, but nothing about polishing glass. Maybe acrylic is easier to polish the scratches out, but glass scratches less so the work/(annoying)scratch seems to be the same. I'd say the best advice is...

If you think you'll scratch it, go with glass; but,
if you want to be careful and want more flexibility, go with acrylic.

My $.02 worth

[SKRIZ]

you can polish out minor scratches in glass. BUT, only on the outside (unless you want to drain the tank completely!

[Bianca]

I'd add to Ninong's original list:

Acrylic can craze. A small area can have some crazing, almost unnoticeable. That crazing usually spreads. The crazing effect looks like tiny cracks in the plastic. More visually an issue than a functional defect. This condition is caused at time of manufacturing and anyone buying an acrylic aquarium should inspect it closely for this feature.

I wouldn't consider buying anything other than an acrylic. For FOWLR I don't worry much about coralline cleaning. But for me the primary value is in its insulating ability. Living in a hot climate I use a chiller 365 days a year and the insulating ability is a plus in this case.

I live in a mobile home so the weight is my second consideration and acrylic wins on that count.

If it weren't for the above two things, I would still choose acrylic after keeping aquariums (glass and acrylic) for more than 35 years.

You dont find that even with carefull cleaning of inside just for regular algae it still scratches easy? I actually think my nano reef was scratched by either astrea snails or small chocolate chip starfish .


I do agree as far as keeping cooler or warmer its amazing . HUGE difference from glass .

[Doodaa]

you can polish out minor scratches in glass. BUT, only on the outside (unless you want to drain the tank completely!

Wouldn't you have to drain an acrylic tank to polish inside scratches also?

[leebca]

I've kept acrylic tanks for decades without scratching.

On the other hand, if during the cleaning process, Bianca, if a single tiny bit of sand or substrate is caught between the cleaner and the acrylic, it can leave tiny scratches.

The removal of coralline and other algae from the acrylic, if the proper tools are used, AND those tools are used properly, leaves no scratches I've been able to detect.

Starfish and snails don't bother the acrylic. What can and does damage acrylic are some/certain sea urchins. Their 'teeth' are lethal to plastic, rock, etc. I would not keep an urchin in an acrylic tank.

[Bianca]

I have a "pencil" urchin type with "small" fat round spines . Maybe his teeth did it never thought of that as I never saw him climb the tank walls but guess he could have.
If they could come up with an acrylic/glass type which holds temp looks as nice as acrylic because it did look great but doesnt scratch that would be great.

thanks