Best Tank Material??

[GreenGiant]

I just moved into a new apartment, and I need a new tank (having had to give my old one to a friend because of space constraints in the moving truck)

Anyway, I've been looking around, and can't figure out whats best: glass or acrylic. What are the pros and cons of each? Also, I've seen people posting about Starphire glass. What is it?

 

[Menagerie]

Glass is cheaper and does not scratch as easily as acrylic. However, Acrylic is lighter--especially if you move a lot. As for Starphire glass--I have no idea.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

glass = heavy, but very durable.
Acrylic = Lightwieght, very break resistant (great for tank busters) but scratches (Royal pleco on the face will chew it up)

Haven't head of starphire glass, sounds like a type of tempering.

 

[loganj]

The Starfire glass has a much lower iron content than regular glass. It is very clear...as clear as acrylic. It's marketed under a couple of different names...I can't recall the others though. It's expensive and I don't think it would be worth the extra cost on a tank that used 1/4" or thinner glass. On a larger tank, using 3/8 or thicker glass, I think it makes a big difference when used on the front wall of the tank. The greenish tint of regular glass is much more noticeable on the thicker glass.

 

[xray]

Here is a site that sells aquariums using starphire glass. Ofcourse its really expensive(the smallest tank they have is a 3ft 65gal tank for $783.00)

http://www.aquariumsforyou.com/Products_Glass.html

 

[GreenGiant]

Ouch! That is expensive! I think I'll probably hold off on the starphire for now and put the money towards a slightly larger tank.

Has anyone had serious problems with plecos scratching acrylic tanks? Also, I'd like to get a couple of snails. I know that snails (and other gastropods) have a hard tooth like part in their mouth (the radula). Does anyone know if snails may scratch acrylic as well?

 

[foma2000]

ive never had a snail scratch the glass by them selfes but once i was using my cleaning magnit and i pushed a snail across the tank with it and it maked a scratch on the acryllic jsut watch out for that

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

and make sure you have driftwood in there if you get a royal plec (or a different panaque), they will rasp at the face of the tank, read a funny artical where a guy removed the driftwood because a royal was chewin it up, only to come down the next day to a tank he couldn't see in

IMO, acrylic can scratch too easy and I wouldn't want to keep buffing the face out to see in, but if you are careful with what you put in there, it would work well.