108 x 30 to 36" high - Glass, Acrylic, or Polycarbonate? Help Please..

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

MDFishTanks

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Mar 21, 2013
222
10
33
MD
I have done a lot of research. I know I would need 3/4" glass. What would be better for this plywood tank? 3/4" glass, 1/2" polycarbonate or 1/2" or 3/4" acrylic?

I prefer whatever is the strongest and lightest in weight. Polycarbonate is supposedly 250x stronger than glass?
 
I like glass since it doesn't scratch easily. To me the main reason for acrylic is light weight in large tanks. If this is a tank that will be built in place I would use glass.

Sent from my SCH-S960L using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
rodger said:
I like glass since it doesn't scratch easily. To me the main reason for acrylic is light weight in large tanks. If this is a tank that will be built in place I would use glass.

Sent from my SCH-S960L using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...


The tank is 10x4x32" (thinking about going to 36") and it will not be moved....EVER, because it cant fit through any window or door from where it's located now.
 
Im an acrylic fan so i say acrylic or poly carb whatevers cheaper....all depends on what u can spend, if u use a center brace on the front window or if u mind bowing. 1/2-3/4" acrylic is more than enough to hold the pressure of 36" imo. I used 3/4" acrylic for a 30" height and it was unnecessary. Im glad i did but could have saved $ by using 1/2".

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
I used 3/4" starfire (low iron) glass on my 36" tall 1500 gallon tank and 1" acrylic on my newest 36" tall 2700 gallon tank.

Length means nothing when talking about strength. It will cost you more though once you pass the 8' mark for materials.

Standard glass is very green once you get thicker than 1/2" so low iron was the way to go to get the clarity of acrylic, but again it's 2x the cost of regular glass.

I wouldn't cut corners on the viewing window.
 
VLDesign said:
I used 3/4" starfire (low iron) glass on my 36" tall 1500 gallon tank and 1" acrylic on my newest 36" tall 2700 gallon tank.

Length means nothing when talking about strength. It will cost you more though once you pass the 8' mark for materials.

Standard glass is very green once you get thicker than 1/2" so low iron was the way to go to get the clarity of acrylic, but again it's 2x the cost of regular glass.

I wouldn't cut corners on the viewing window.
Click to expand...

3/4" starfire is the same price as 3/4" acrylic. $32 sq ft. I don't mind paying. I am really just looking for the strongest and lightest material for the viewing window.

So do you think acrylic is a better option since you have used both? I read both of your builds btw...very nice.
 
MDFishTanks said:
3/4" starfire is the same price as 3/4" acrylic. $32 sq ft. I don't mind paying. I am really just looking for the strongest and lightest material for the viewing window.

So do you think acrylic is a better option since you have used both? I read both of your builds btw...very nice.
Click to expand...

Strongest and lightest would be acrylic. Acrylic is much stronger in terms of impact resistance. One reason why most public tanks are acrylic. For smaller tanks less than 8ft I like glass, for anything larger than 8ft long and 3ft tall acrylic is the way to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom