Glass vs. Acrylic - Aquarium Advice

gard · 05-10-2005, 06:28 PM

I'm going to buy a 29 gallon freshwater tank and I am wondering what are the pros/cons of a glass tank and an acrylic tank?

Which one is better?

Blucat · 05-10-2005, 07:50 PM

Cons Glass: Heavy, can crack, needs level surface, can leak, has more sealent
Pros Acrylic: Light, does not crack, does not need as much sealent, can be curved, retains heat sometimes, can block out some [acronym:7ba69c8185="Ultra Violet"]uv[/acronym:7ba69c8185] light.

Pros Glass: Doesn't get scratched easily, Cheaper, more crystal clear, easy to clean
Cons Acrylic: Scratches easily, more expensive, depending on quality as not as clear as glass, harder to clean as most good scrubbers scratch

[acronym:7ba69c8185="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:7ba69c8185]: smaller aquariums are fine with acrylic but larger tanks are usually made of glass. I myself have a 24 gallon acrylic and it is fine. It has a curved front so it looks very nice.

Hope that helps.

Blucat · 05-10-2005, 07:52 PM

oh also....

WELCOME TO AQUARIUM ADVICE!!!!!!

ace1uno_00 · 05-10-2005, 07:56 PM

I think glass is easier to work with. you dont have to be so delicate with it.
Acrylic is lighter and easier to set up but my next tank is going to be glass. Just because its cheaper and easier to maintain

ace1uno_00 · 05-10-2005, 07:56 PM

oh and [acronym:71c88a2d8e="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:71c88a2d8e], welcome to AA!

FMJnaX · 05-10-2005, 11:34 PM

Cheap acrylic tanks can be trouble because they may be made from extruded acrylic instead of cast. When you start working with larger acrylic tanks, they often need more center support, stronger adhesive/silicone, and thicker material. The thicker material is what bugs me because, as stated, it really cuts down on crystal clarity. I've been working with cast acrylics for years now (I build custom enclosures, thought never an aquarium yet). Even 3/8" cast can become very cloudy if not worked with correctly.

I agree with everything else stated.

cougaran · 05-11-2005, 12:40 AM

I have a cheap small acrylic tank, I went to go wipe it down with a cloth, it scratched it.

FMJnaX · 05-11-2005, 12:51 AM

Use a fine cloth and something like Novus Polish. Scratches on acrylic are easily buffed right out, as long as they're not too deep.

cougaran · 05-11-2005, 01:12 AM

I'll give it a try, i think it was more of the shock of seeing it scratched so easily more than anything. I wont be buying an acrylic tank in the future unless it's dirt cheap.

Andos99 · 05-11-2005, 01:19 AM

I have always prefered glass myself, better viewing and much easier to clean

05-10-2005, 06:28 PM	#1
gard Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 19	Glass vs. Acrylic I'm going to buy a 29 gallon freshwater tank and I am wondering what are the pros/cons of a glass tank and an acrylic tank? Which one is better?

05-10-2005, 07:56 PM	#4
ace1uno_00 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 691 Images: 9	I think glass is easier to work with. you dont have to be so delicate with it. Acrylic is lighter and easier to set up but my next tank is going to be glass. Just because its cheaper and easier to maintain __________________ For Sale: Brand New Filstar XP3. In Box w/extra Media. $80 obo shipped. Ace1uno_00@yahoo.com

05-10-2005, 07:56 PM	#5
ace1uno_00 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 691 Images: 9	oh and [acronym:71c88a2d8e="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:71c88a2d8e], welcome to AA! __________________ For Sale: Brand New Filstar XP3. In Box w/extra Media. $80 obo shipped. Ace1uno_00@yahoo.com

05-10-2005, 11:34 PM	#6
FMJnaX Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 538 Images: 2	Cheap acrylic tanks can be trouble because they may be made from extruded acrylic instead of cast. When you start working with larger acrylic tanks, they often need more center support, stronger adhesive/silicone, and thicker material. The thicker material is what bugs me because, as stated, it really cuts down on crystal clarity. I've been working with cast acrylics for years now (I build custom enclosures, thought never an aquarium yet). Even 3/8" cast can become very cloudy if not worked with correctly. I agree with everything else stated. __________________ 75 Gallon High-Tech Planted Community 3.5 WPG using T8's Fluorite w/sand mix Rena Filstar XP2 Pressurized CO2 w/SMS122 29 Gallon Goldfish 4" Red/White Ryunkin 4" Orange Fantail Penguin 100 AquaClear 20

05-11-2005, 12:40 AM	#7
cougaran Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MASSACHUSETTS USA Posts: 135	I have a cheap small acrylic tank, I went to go wipe it down with a cloth, it scratched it. __________________ 38 Gal Freshwater - Livebearer Whisper 5 [acronym:1f3729bf24="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:1f3729bf24] [acronym:1f3729bf24="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:1f3729bf24] w/ 2 reverse flow Aquaclr 402 powerheads Turbo-Twist 6x [acronym:1f3729bf24="Ultra Violet"]UV[/acronym:1f3729bf24] sterilizer 18W bulb 18 Watt Triton bulb 10 Gal Freshwater [acronym:1f3729bf24="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:1f3729bf24] tank 3 Gal Fry tank 90 Gal Saltwater tank(coming soon)

05-10-2005, 07:50 PM	#2
Blucat Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 834 Images: 5	Cons Glass: Heavy, can crack, needs level surface, can leak, has more sealent Pros Acrylic: Light, does not crack, does not need as much sealent, can be curved, retains heat sometimes, can block out some [acronym:7ba69c8185="Ultra Violet"]uv[/acronym:7ba69c8185] light. Pros Glass: Doesn't get scratched easily, Cheaper, more crystal clear, easy to clean Cons Acrylic: Scratches easily, more expensive, depending on quality as not as clear as glass, harder to clean as most good scrubbers scratch [acronym:7ba69c8185="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:7ba69c8185]: smaller aquariums are fine with acrylic but larger tanks are usually made of glass. I myself have a 24 gallon acrylic and it is fine. It has a curved front so it looks very nice. Hope that helps.

05-10-2005, 07:52 PM	#3
Blucat Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 834 Images: 5	oh also.... WELCOME TO AQUARIUM ADVICE!!!!!!

05-11-2005, 12:51 AM	#8
FMJnaX Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 538 Images: 2	Use a fine cloth and something like Novus Polish. Scratches on acrylic are easily buffed right out, as long as they're not too deep. __________________ 75 Gallon High-Tech Planted Community 3.5 WPG using T8's Fluorite w/sand mix Rena Filstar XP2 Pressurized CO2 w/SMS122 29 Gallon Goldfish 4" Red/White Ryunkin 4" Orange Fantail Penguin 100 AquaClear 20

05-11-2005, 01:12 AM	#9
cougaran Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MASSACHUSETTS USA Posts: 135	I'll give it a try, i think it was more of the shock of seeing it scratched so easily more than anything. I wont be buying an acrylic tank in the future unless it's dirt cheap. __________________ 38 Gal Freshwater - Livebearer Whisper 5 [acronym:1f3729bf24="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:1f3729bf24] [acronym:1f3729bf24="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:1f3729bf24] w/ 2 reverse flow Aquaclr 402 powerheads Turbo-Twist 6x [acronym:1f3729bf24="Ultra Violet"]UV[/acronym:1f3729bf24] sterilizer 18W bulb 18 Watt Triton bulb 10 Gal Freshwater [acronym:1f3729bf24="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:1f3729bf24] tank 3 Gal Fry tank 90 Gal Saltwater tank(coming soon)

05-11-2005, 01:19 AM	#10
Andos99 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 783 Images: 3	I have always prefered glass myself, better viewing and much easier to clean __________________ If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to do it over.

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