Glass or Acrylic for 500+ Gallon

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

I consider you a friend as well, it certainly wasn't meant to be personal. I actually don't have anything against acrylic (I own an acrylic 300 and 55) but you asked for other flaws/drawbacks to acrylic, so I gave some.

While crazing, yellowing, brittleness, and seam deterioration are symptoms that come about over long periods of time, it scratches easily from day-one. While I don't often use sandpaper to remove algae (OK, once in a while) I have scratched acrylic tank while trying to remove stubborn algae. It has been said by others (and I tend to agree) that a glass tank is superior every day except the day you have to move it.

It is true that you don't see crazing in the really thick acrylic panes at public aquariums, but you do encounter it with your average monster tank fairly often. Public aquaria aren't built with welded seams, but rather the panes are fitted to a framework of steel or aluminum, usually set in concrete. They do yellow with age - take a look at the sea-lion tank next time you are at the Washington Park Zoo (now known as the Oregon Zoo). While you are there, check out their Amazon tanks, built with GLASS viewing windows. ;)

The glass versus acrylic argument is kind of silly - they are both great materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the application and what you want from an aquarium either can be used to construct a really nice tank...
 
The glass versus acrylic argument is kind of silly - they are both great materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the application and what you want from an aquarium either can be used to construct a really nice tank...

Well said!
 
It has been said by others (and I tend to agree) that a glass tank is superior every day except the day you have to move it.

very good way of putting it.

the thing is, as far as leaks go, either can leak depending on how the acrylic was constructed.

for example, the 10x5x5 acrylic tank that leaked at my LFS (a Big Als location for those familiar with the chain) was not a seamless molded design.

it had joints, presumably, it leaked at one of them.

more recently, they also had a 265g glass tank leak after about two years, but it was a Marineland/Perfecto tank and this comes as no surprise.

the glass on my 150g Aqueon is thicker than the glass on the Marineland 265g:screwy:
 
the glass on my 150g Aqueon is thicker than the glass on the Marineland 265g:screwy:

So this is why the Marineland leaked? Probably not so unsure why this little tidbit was added :screwy:
 
Thanks for everyone's input although it has mad my decision harder. Here's the deal, the tank I am looking at is 900 gallons, 1.25" thick GLASS and in excellent shape. It's truly an amazing show tank with top of the line everything, including every friggin filter, RO, lights, decor etc etc. This thing cost 15K new 4 yrs ago, + supplies. My dilemma is moving it to my house 90 miles away. The stand, tank and canopy is one entire unit measuring 96"x48"x69 (tank alone is about 44" tall) so it's damn near not feasible without getting ca 10 guys, a truck with a liftgate and a forklift.

It's a good price at 4K or so but I would be so worried about moving it and potentially causing damage. Also, if I relocate - I doubt I will haul this thing with me.

What do you guys think?
 
So this is why the Marineland leaked? Probably not so unsure why this little tidbit was added :screwy:

not sure exactly why it leaked.

but thinner glass will bow more than thicker glass which can place stress on the seams.

but it was more than likely the seal job. the seals on some marineland tanks can be pretty thin.

I made the comment about the glass thickness of Marineland tanks because they really should be using glass at least as thick as their competitors (Aqueon/Oceanic etc).

on the larger tanks, they skimp.
 
Thanks for everyone's input although it has mad my decision harder. Here's the deal, the tank I am looking at is 900 gallons, 1.25" thick GLASS and in excellent shape. It's truly an amazing show tank with top of the line everything, including every friggin filter, RO, lights, decor etc etc. This thing cost 15K new 4 yrs ago, + supplies. My dilemma is moving it to my house 90 miles away. The stand, tank and canopy is one entire unit measuring 96"x48"x69 (tank alone is about 44" tall) so it's damn near not feasible without getting ca 10 guys, a truck with a liftgate and a forklift.

It's a good price at 4K or so but I would be so worried about moving it and potentially causing damage. Also, if I relocate - I doubt I will haul this thing with me.

What do you guys think?

holy crap that is a dream tank but yes moving it would be a pain. you would have to probably take one of the windows our or a sliding door to get it thru.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com