no, acrylic doesn't smell or get dirtier quicker. Lol, I had an eclipse 3 gallon for like 6 years. I didn't have algae until a had mollies in it for 2 months (little poop machines), I think it looks nice, stays pretty clean and is light weight. Also almost seamless on some tanks. You still have to have a cleaning sch. but I just used it as a QT/fry tank and holding tank for the last few months of its life. Don't drop it though, it will break. Well so will any tank.