for very large more affordable DIY tanks you can start looking into plywood/fiberglass/epoxy construction with a glass or acrylic front window. But as mentioned large glass tanks are not as common as acrylic for good reasons.
Glass or Acrylic for 500+ Gallon
- Thread starter swedeboy78
- Start date
i disagree with most of the people who posted on here, i wonder who actually has experience moving, setting up and maintaining both glass and acrylic aquariums that gave advice? i have both a 600 acrylic and 550 glass, i would pick glass all the way. we moved my 550 glass which is 8 feet long by 36 high by 36 wide wo having to lift it, just shifted it on 2 by 4's and a tall roller, took 4 people with little effort.
acrylic is light, strong and scratches very easily. yes it can be buffed out, i had to get it done because it scratched so bad would not ever want to go thru that again.
acrylic: stronger, lighter, cheaper
glass: does not scratch so easily, so much easier to maintain
clarity wise, i don't see a big difference, they are both pretty clear but i do have starphire glass
from someone who has both, i would pick glass any day all day.
acrylic is light, strong and scratches very easily. yes it can be buffed out, i had to get it done because it scratched so bad would not ever want to go thru that again.
acrylic: stronger, lighter, cheaper
glass: does not scratch so easily, so much easier to maintain
clarity wise, i don't see a big difference, they are both pretty clear but i do have starphire glass
from someone who has both, i would pick glass any day all day.
here are some pics, never had to lift aquarium once just suction cups and pushing/pulling
550 glass being pushed with 2/4's and suction cups thru window
on hydralic lift
on stand opposite of wall
end result
550 glass being pushed with 2/4's and suction cups thru window
on hydralic lift
on stand opposite of wall
end result
my 600 acrylic of similar size being buffed out after scratches note acrylic scratches very very easily
setup in process
setup in process
I have a 470 gallon glass tank and a smaller acrylic tank, i got my glass tank built on site in its final position therefore i dont have to worry about having to move it, if i do move houses i would simply sell the tank with the house and go bigger next time. Glass is also more affordable than acrylic. Also even though acrylic is lighter and more easier to move, i am too scare do budge mine because it scratches so easily. Go with glass!
alexpie001 agreed. 8 years ago when i was researching i was sold on acrylic, light, strong, clear. i didn't think about the scratches though, huge mistake and pita. yes it can be buffed out but its not as easy as most people think.
reef central had a poll similar to this on the large aquarium section and 15 or so people who chose acrylic for tanks over 500 gallons would never do it again. i was one of them
reef central had a poll similar to this on the large aquarium section and 15 or so people who chose acrylic for tanks over 500 gallons would never do it again. i was one of them
I gues that acrylic will be the best choice for constructing large tanks in the future once its major flaws are improved but as of now glass trumps
I'd say glass has the major flaws... Extremely heavy, it can shatter, etc. What are the major flaws of acrylic? It can scratch... And? Glass can definitely scratch too and you can't buff it out.
What are you guys doing that you're scratching your acrylic tanks this much? Got kids running around with sand paper or something?
What are you guys doing that you're scratching your acrylic tanks this much? Got kids running around with sand paper or something?
There are definitely other problems - crazing and yellowing, becoming brittle with age, and seams popping. All plastics deteriorate with age. Bright light and heat speed these processes.
When I do a really big built-on site tank it will definitely have a glass viewing window.
alexpie001 agreed. 8 years ago when i was researching i was sold on acrylic, light, strong, clear. i didn't think about the scratches though, huge mistake and pita. yes it can be buffed out but its not as easy as most people think.
reef central had a poll similar to this on the large aquarium section and 15 or so people who chose acrylic for tanks over 500 gallons would never do it again. i was one of them
Eight years ago? I take it this is how old the acrylic tank is? If so, do you really believe an 8yo glass tank wouldve been scratch free? What about the silicone, would you trust 8 year old silicone to hold 500 plus gallons of water? I have also seen/owned older tanks where the glass has become foggy. Point is both types have there downfalls, with acrylic though most can be repaired.
Also you were worried about peoples experience, mine is based on 6x4x2 acrylic, 8x3x2.5 acrylic. 6x2x2 glass and 8x2x1.5 glass. Though the two glass tank were considerably smaller they both were more of an PITA to move.
