Glass or Acrylic for 500+ Gallon

[pacu mom]

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

Our stand and tank came in through a window opening too.

My new (not set up yet) acrylic tank weighs over 2,000 pounds. I can't imagine what a glass tank the same size would weigh. My tank busting pacu slam into the tank walls so hard, it sounds like an explosion. I believe they could break through glass. Yes, acrylic scratches, and the small 300 gallon tank has a few 2" scratches that can only have been done by pacu teeth. I'll take the scratches along with the peace of mind that my fish cannot break out of the acrylic. I long ago quit running into the living room to check on the tank and the fish everytime I hear a loud BOOM. My fish are knuckleheads who really need a padded cell.

 

[clekchau]

wow thats crazy i don't have any monsters that size that would bust thru my saltwater fowlr, do your fish get that skittish? i have never heard of a fish breaking thru a well built glass aquarium but i guess it could happen just like a seam could break or etc

regarding scratching, there is no way you could compare scratches between an acrylic and a glass, its just not the same. the weight is not a big deal if you have a slab foundation, like i said we moved a 550 glass with 4 people and never had to lift it, it was a breeze actually.

to each their own, i have both and i prefer glass hands down

 

[valderi123]

I vote acrylic.

 

[pacu mom]

wow thats crazy i don't have any monsters that size that would bust thru my saltwater fowlr, do your fish get that skittish? i have never heard of a fish breaking thru a well built glass aquarium but i guess it could happen just like a seam could break or etc

regarding scratching, there is no way you could compare scratches between an acrylic and a glass, its just not the same. the weight is not a big deal if you have a slab foundation, like i said we moved a 550 glass with 4 people and never had to lift it, it was a breeze actually.

to each their own, i have both and i prefer glass hands down

A 15' x 4' x 4' glass tank would be prohibitively heavy. My tank was in a United Moving and Storage facility for 11 months. It cost over $1,000 to have the United crew bring the tank ten miles to my house and to help slide the tank from the truck, through the window opening onto the stand. We used an engine hoist when we put foam between the tank and the stand. We used a pallet jack to move the tank and stand into final position.

My pacu have very vivid imaginations, and it takes slamming into a tank wall or lid to make them realize they are not being chased by a predator. Being over 2' long and at least 4" thick and very strong and powerful, when they slam into a wall, it sounds like an explosion. They have cuts/scrapes and missing scales from slamming into the tank lids.

 

[12 Volt Man]

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.

true but how often will you move a 500g tank? probably put it in place and thats it.

another option is to have the tank built in place. thats what I have seen done with really large glass tanks.

as far as silicone goes, a well made glass tank no matter what size should go 20+ years without needing a reseal.

just don't buy a Perfecto 500g

Miracles Aquariums here in Canada is used quite extensively by many at reefcentral.com for example (as they ship to the states) and have an excellent rep for large tank builds. they are not cheap, but at 500g, cost cutting should not be on the table. go with a top quality manufacturer.

ironically, my LFS has had two shark tanks over the past 20 years.

one 8x4x4 glass tank that was built in place.

one 10x5x5 acrylic tank and the acrylic tank began to leak last year. not sure why and yes, they were able to repair it.

that being said, I would still go with glass. looks nicer, doesn't show its age as much, won't bow etc.

and of course the scratching issue. glass scratches can't really be repaired easily but they are a lot harder to scratch in the first place.

 

[Egon]

I think after 500 gallons your forced to use acrylic. Now if your going to build a concrete tank you have your choice. If the glass needs to be 3/4" or thicker then you need to use "Star Fire" glass or low iron glass for clarity. Anything thicker than 1/2" has a green tint to it unless it's the Star-fire type glass (more expensive).

 

[12 Volt Man]

hmmm. the 8x4x4 glass tank that my LFS had was built old school (it was built in the mid 90s) and if I recall the glass was 3/4" thick.

it didn't look greenish. back then, starphire wasn't available, or at least it wasn't well known.

I would think the only way it would look really noticable is if you had a starphire tank sitting right beside it.

 

[Egon]

I would think the only way it would look really noticable is if you had a starphire tank sitting right beside it.

Good point, Starphire or Acrylic next to an old school tank and you will really notice how bad the normal glass tanks are for clarity. I still have an old school 35" tube TV.......

I don't watch to much TV so I really don't want to spend the $$$$ to upgrade

 

[aclockworkorange]

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.

Dan, I consider you a friend and I even bought the 90 gallon GLASS () from you, so I'm saying this politely... But go to a public aquarium thats had acrylic widows for decades and tell me if they have those problems. High quality acrylic will not do that for years and years.

 

[alexpie001]

I think glass is better because it is also more environmentally friendly as it is a natural substance, glass is also recycled from windows and other things, it is a greener choice.