Acrylic or Glass on 300+

[Backfromthedead]

Given my recent experience, I’m definitely concerned with leaking. Given that I think I’m kind of leaning towards acrylic to help with that. I’m not nearly as familiar there as I am with glass. Are the Tsunami ones on Fish Tanks Direct good quality or should I only be looking at something custom?

Seen fiberglass but unfortunately outside of leaking appearance is going to be key since it’s my show tank in our living room.

Ive heard great things about FTD and tsunami tanks.

What i can tell you for sure is don't go with "american aquariums" out of pa. Had a bad experience with them.

If i could lend one bit of advice for acrylic tanks its that you should always go with thicker acrylic than the "industry standard". I personally dont like any tank any size made from less than 3/4" thick acrylic. Seems like a lot of builders will skimp when they can which will leave tanks subject to bowing and eventual weakening and failure. Downside to this of course is that thicker acrylic is pricier

 

[gatormfk]

Thank you. I think the the 400g tsunami that I am looking at is 3/4” all around by default but I’ll definitely confirm.

Ive heard great things about FTD and tsunami tanks.

What i can tell you for sure is don't go with "american aquariums" out of pa. Had a bad experience with them.

If i could lend one bit of advice for acrylic tanks its that you should always go with thicker acrylic than the "industry standard". I personally dont like any tank any size made from less than 3/4" thick acrylic. Seems like a lot of builders will skimp when they can which will leave tanks subject to bowing and eventual weakening and failure. Downside to this of course is that thicker acrylic is pricier

 

[DN328]

In the last 5 years I've had a 1/2" all low iron glass peninsula and now 3/4" acrylic peninsula. Both 260gallons with the same dimensions.

I liked the starphire glass. It was a rimless tank with euro bracing. Since it had eurobrace and cross brace, I had to have custom glass lids. This was a pain to remove do to size and Aro would splash through the openings. Keep that in mind if you end up going custom eurobrace glass AND need lids that look nice and functional. The silicone started to crack at the eurobrace, so not a good experience for me. I don't think my experience was common for a new tank less than 4 years.

Acrylic just seems so much more customizable in terms of having recessed lid cutouts and external ghost overflows, weir, etc. I really dont think starphire is even clearer than acrylic. I'm bias since the glass didnt work out well for me. The 3/4" acrylic just seems really solid. The biggest and only downside in the longterm is how easy acrylic scratches, imo.

I think the cost differences is a factor. But not a determining factor for the long run if you end up deciding on acrylic.

 

[Wharf]

Agreed. I like the fact that you can buff, sand, and polish scratches out of acrylic. If you get a nice scratch on glass it is pretty much there for life in most cases. I have always had glass, but now I love my newer acrylic tank. Every time you get a new scratch on an acrylic it is like a new car getting that first ding in the door; however, they are strong, non-distorted, and much lighter weight...making it a plus for me. After moving and installing my present tank...I may never go back to glass. It is so much easier.

In the last 5 years I've had a 1/2" all low iron glass peninsula and now 3/4" acrylic peninsula. Both 260 gallons with the same dimensions.

I liked the starphire glass. It was a rimless tank with euro bracing. Since it had eurobrace and cross brace, I had to have custom glass lids. This was a pain to remove do to size and Aro would splash through the openings. Keep that in mind if you end up going custom eurobrace glass AND need lids that look nice and functional. The silicone started to crack at the eurobrace, so not a good experience for me. I don't think my experience was common for a new tank less than 4 years.

Acrylic just seems so much more customizable in terms of having recessed lid cutouts and external ghost overflows, weir, etc. I really dont think starphire is even clearer than acrylic. I'm bias since the glass didnt work out well for me. The 3/4" acrylic just seems really solid. The biggest and only downside in the longterm is how easy acrylic scratches, imo.

I think the cost differences is a factor. But not a determining factor for the long run if you end up deciding on acrylic.

 

[DN328]

Agreed. I like the fact that you can buff, sand, and polish scratches out of acrylic. If you get a nice scratch on glass it is pretty much there for life in most cases. I have always had glass, but now I love my newer acrylic tank. Every time you get a new scratch on an acrylic it is like a new car getting that first ding in the door; however, they are strong, non-distorted, and much lighter weight...making it a plus for me. After moving and installing my present tank...I may never go back to glass. It is so much easier.

Equating scratch to new car ding is true. Although, all my cars are old but I do remember that feeling lol.

 

[gatormfk]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I ended up buying the 400 gallon acrylic tank today. Looking forward to it, these 8 weeks or so are going to take forever

 

[Cardeater]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I ended up buying the 400 gallon acrylic tank today. Looking forward to it, these 8 weeks or so are going to take forever

Awesome. I didn't get to reply but I was on the acrylic side. Lighter and it should never leak. Glass is supposed to eventually need a reseal. I'm actually worried about my current tank bc I figure eventually it'll leak (125g glass).

Did you end up getting from FTD? I've also been looking at them.

 

[gatormfk]

Awesome. I didn't get to reply but I was on the acrylic side. Lighter and it should never leak. Glass is supposed to eventually need a reseal. I'm actually worried about my current tank bc I figure eventually it'll leak (125g glass).

Did you end up getting from FTD? I've also been looking at them.

I did order through FTD. 400 Gallon Tsunami Acrylic. Ended up ordering a whole new system, stand, sump, etc. I had heard mixed reviews so I ended up calling them rather than ordering through the website. So far customer service has been very good, and they did mention that some of the stuff on the website is outdated in price etc, so if you are ordering anything of substance, I would recommend calling.

 

[DN328]

I did order through FTD. 400 Gallon Tsunami Acrylic. Ended up ordering a whole new system, stand, sump, etc. I had heard mixed reviews so I ended up calling them rather than ordering through the website. So far customer service has been very good, and they did mention that some of the stuff on the website is outdated in price etc, so if you are ordering anything of substance, I would recommend calling.

Nice keep us posted when you get it. Just curious what sump are you getting and are they plumbing or are you?

 

[Cardeater]

Nice keep us posted when you get it. Just curious what sump are you getting and are they plumbing or are you?

Yes please share as much as you are willing to share. I imagine there are more sump options that what is shown on website under tank options?


What did you decide on stand material? I was thinking about creating a thread eventually about whether the aluminum option is worth the premium price.
What are the dimensions? Thanks