Acrylic vs Glass
- Thread starter Derpeder
- Start date
Acrylic sure is easier to get into the house!! (It's much lighter).
I also think it's easier to drill. Technically, the seams are perm bonded so the tank is far less likely to leak over time.
Some will say acrylic is "Clearer" but IMO (and with my 20/20 vision), glass is actually clearer. Acrylic also scratches must easier than glass.
I also think it's easier to drill. Technically, the seams are perm bonded so the tank is far less likely to leak over time.
Some will say acrylic is "Clearer" but IMO (and with my 20/20 vision), glass is actually clearer. Acrylic also scratches must easier than glass.
Brooklynella;659041; said:
but glass distorts and has a green tinge to it
acrylic doesnt distort and is 100% clear
if glass scratches you screwed
if acrylic scratches, no problem! nothing a buffering kit cant remove.
now youve done it! imma bust out my list!
An acrylic aquarium is half the weight of a glass aquarium.It's easier to ship, move, and set up your aquarium.
Acrylic fish tanks are several times stronger than glass aquariums.
An acrylic aquarium will not shatter, crack, or leak like glass tank can.
Acrylic distorts much less and is clearer than glass.
If a transparent object is surrounded by another material that has the same index of refraction, then the speed of light will not change as it enters the object. No reflection and no refraction will take place, and the object will appear invisible and without distortion, even at increased viewing angles. In addition to having a slight green tint, glass has an index of refraction that is considerably different from water. Clear acrylic panels have almost the same refractive index as seawater so there is no bending of light as it passes from the acrylic into seawater, providing better and brighter color and sharper shapes in acrylic aquariums. The huge viewing windows in large public aquariums and oceanariums can be more than 12 inches thick, but because they are made of acrylic, they afford a very clear view of the water and ocean life they enclose. Acrylic also allows better penetration of your system lighting, which is especially important for reef systems.
Acrylic insulates better than glass.
Acrylic controls water temperature fluctuations, one of the primary reasons for fish stress, disease, and death. Glass conducts heat and cold causing more temperature fluctuations.
Acrylic aquarium seams are stronger than glass aquarium seams.
Acrylic seams are molecular bonds and actually stronger than the acrylic itself. Silicone seams used on glass aquariums can dry out and weaken over time.
Seams in acrylic aquariums are visually superior to glass aquarium seams.
The seams of acrylic fish tanks are polished and nearly invisible. Silicone seams are clearly visible and have been known to discolor when exposed to certain fish medications.
Acrylic is easily refinished.
If glass scratches it can not be repaired. Acrylic can be repaired with a variety of scratch removal kits. Even internal scratches can be repaired without removing the fish or water.
Custom aquarium designs are possible with acrylic.
Acrylic can be formed to create interesting aquarium designs which you won't find with glass aquariums.
Acrylic fish tanks are several times stronger than glass aquariums.
An acrylic aquarium will not shatter, crack, or leak like glass tank can.
Acrylic distorts much less and is clearer than glass.
If a transparent object is surrounded by another material that has the same index of refraction, then the speed of light will not change as it enters the object. No reflection and no refraction will take place, and the object will appear invisible and without distortion, even at increased viewing angles. In addition to having a slight green tint, glass has an index of refraction that is considerably different from water. Clear acrylic panels have almost the same refractive index as seawater so there is no bending of light as it passes from the acrylic into seawater, providing better and brighter color and sharper shapes in acrylic aquariums. The huge viewing windows in large public aquariums and oceanariums can be more than 12 inches thick, but because they are made of acrylic, they afford a very clear view of the water and ocean life they enclose. Acrylic also allows better penetration of your system lighting, which is especially important for reef systems.
Acrylic insulates better than glass.
Acrylic controls water temperature fluctuations, one of the primary reasons for fish stress, disease, and death. Glass conducts heat and cold causing more temperature fluctuations.
Acrylic aquarium seams are stronger than glass aquarium seams.
Acrylic seams are molecular bonds and actually stronger than the acrylic itself. Silicone seams used on glass aquariums can dry out and weaken over time.
Seams in acrylic aquariums are visually superior to glass aquarium seams.
The seams of acrylic fish tanks are polished and nearly invisible. Silicone seams are clearly visible and have been known to discolor when exposed to certain fish medications.
Acrylic is easily refinished.
If glass scratches it can not be repaired. Acrylic can be repaired with a variety of scratch removal kits. Even internal scratches can be repaired without removing the fish or water.
Custom aquarium designs are possible with acrylic.
Acrylic can be formed to create interesting aquarium designs which you won't find with glass aquariums.
I prefer Starphire glass tanks. Starphire is far better looking that acrylic IMO. Acrylic is nice, but I have heard of several acrylic tanks splitting at the seams.
DeLgAdO;659062; said:that would be due to poor manufacturing
Yeah, there are many different qualities of acrylic. I do think good acrylic is nicer than good glass though.
