Glass or Acrylic?

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lmw80

Aquarium Advice Addict
Joined
Jun 14, 2003
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Bristol, Pa
For a FOWLR (may eventually be a reef, but not for years) in wall ~110 gallon tank, which would be better - glass or acrylic?

thanks.
 
Lori, you making the SW plunge someday?

Never had an acrylic, but I hear stories both good and bad. Bad about the scratches, and good about the corners looking better and scratches being easy to fix. They scare me.
 
I have 3 tanks set up as of now only 1 is acrylic, for me I like the glass but like austinsdad said you here good and bad about both.
 
austinsdad said:
Lori, you making the SW plunge someday?

yup I am! Daniel is currently building an in-wall aquarium space!! When it's done....not sure when...couple months to a year I would guess based on what the world throws our way...we're both very excited (don't worry, I would never give up my fw tanks either!)!

thanks for the advice guys!
 
For an inwall tank I would prefer glass. It is much more scratch reistant. Most of the inside scratches with acrylic is when you get some sand grains between the acrylic and the cleaning magnet or using non acrylic approved algae scraper. SInce its in the wall the corners arnt the big deal since it will ikly only be visable from the front and the edges of the tank covered by molding most likly.

Glass while it would be heavier it will also end up being cheaper.
 
I prefer acrylic. Tanks today are made from cell cast acrylic, not extruded acrylic that had problems "yellowing" with age
 
in-wall tank: no edges visible, so acrylics rounded corners don't help.

Live Rock: at some point you WILL end up banging a piece of rock against the side of the tank. with a glass tank you're fine. An acrylic tank will likely be left with a nasty scratch or gouge. Some scratches are NOT easily fixed if they're too deep.

Coraline algae: desired and annoying at the same time. It will end up on the walls of the aquarium. Removing it with a plastic scraper can be a pain. having a glass tank means you can use a razorblade style scraper and make your maintenance much easier and care free.

all signs point to: Glass :wink:


JMO

Welcome to the salt world! :D
 
Personally I prefer glass since that is what I mostly have experience with and the fact that my 10 year old tank looks as good as the day I bought it without a single scratch. Since your doing an in wall tank I would go with glass if it’s going to be straight on. If it’s a corner tank I would go with acrylic so it’s seamless. Also I’d go with acrylic if money isn’t an issue :D

Here are some great articles on the Subject:
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/aquariums/614
http://www.firsttankguide.net/tanktype.php
http://www.masla.com/beginner/fishtank.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-acrylic-and-glass-aquariums.htm
http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/acrylic_aquarium.php
http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/all_glass_aquarium.php

HTH
 
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