glass vs acrylic
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Acrylic is several times stronger than glass.
It will not shatter, crack, or leak like glass 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. Incidentally, clear acrylic plastics have almost the same refractive index as seawater so there is no bending of light as it passes from the plastic 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 fluctuations.
Acrylic seams are stronger than glass.
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.
Acrylic seams are visually superior to glass.
Acrylic seams 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 formed designs are possible with acrlylic.
Acrylic can be formed to create interesting aquarium designs which you won't find with glass aquariums.
It will not shatter, crack, or leak like glass 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. Incidentally, clear acrylic plastics have almost the same refractive index as seawater so there is no bending of light as it passes from the plastic 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 fluctuations.
Acrylic seams are stronger than glass.
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.
Acrylic seams are visually superior to glass.
Acrylic seams 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 formed designs are possible with acrlylic.
Acrylic can be formed to create interesting aquarium designs which you won't find with glass aquariums.
go acrylic!!! 
"delgado" gave you the perfect info for choosing acrylic. 
for him! 
he's right you can buff the scratches either inside or outside... you can always have the scratches out. with regards to algae i would use a soft sponge or even a filter pad (the soft one you buy in bulk) just cut a small piece and use it. i have my acrylic with plenty of driftwood and it's bare bottom... never had any scratches on it... had several plecos (blue pleco, king tiger plecos, candy plecos... all died on me coz of my stupidity on changing water.. they got ick and i didn't notice until their full blown 
) anyhow..just imagine i have a 30 gal glass tank which is a lot heavier than my 60 gal acrylic... and tougher! 
ACRYLIC is your answer did you hear the news on KTLA last night...? here's the link...
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2003/fs039-03/
"delgado" gave you the perfect info for choosing acrylic. for him! he's right you can buff the scratches either inside or outside... you can always have the scratches out. with regards to algae i would use a soft sponge or even a filter pad (the soft one you buy in bulk) just cut a small piece and use it. i have my acrylic with plenty of driftwood and it's bare bottom... never had any scratches on it... had several plecos (blue pleco, king tiger plecos, candy plecos... all died on me coz of my stupidity on changing water.. they got ick and i didn't notice until their full blown ) anyhow..just imagine i have a 30 gal glass tank which is a lot heavier than my 60 gal acrylic... and tougher! ACRYLIC is your answer did you hear the news on KTLA last night...? here's the link...http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2003/fs039-03/
acrylic will most likely to bow if the thickness is not properly used. if you have a 180 gal 72x24x24 inches and they used 3/8 inch on the sheet it will definitely bow. if the sheet is 1/2 inch it will most likely not bow.
Glass vs Acrylic just depends on a few things.
ACRYLIC:
-Stronger than Glass
-Can come in any shape
-Lighter than Glass
-More expensive than Glass
-Scratches easier than Glass
-Not as clear as Glass
GLASS:
-Cheaper
-Clearer
-Easier to clean algae off of
-Can be easily damaged
-Heavier
-More pieces to assemble into shapes
I have glass, but would like acrylic. It's just not in my price range.
ACRYLIC:
-Stronger than Glass
-Can come in any shape
-Lighter than Glass
-More expensive than Glass
-Scratches easier than Glass
-Not as clear as Glass
GLASS:
-Cheaper
-Clearer
-Easier to clean algae off of
-Can be easily damaged
-Heavier
-More pieces to assemble into shapes
I have glass, but would like acrylic. It's just not in my price range.
rkc772 said:acrylic will most likely to bow if the thickness is not properly used. if you have a 180 gal 72x24x24 inches and they used 3/8 inch on the sheet it will definitely bow. if the sheet is 1/2 inch it will most likely not bow.
i have a 180
and it doesnt bow, i think its 1/2 inch
GLASS!
Ill go with glass to be different.
Never had acrylic.
Glass is considerably cheaper. It is hard to scratch. If you cant lift it just get help. I have never seen really big aquariums in acrylic. Never seen one over 180 never seen one for sale over maybe 55 gal.
Ill go with glass to be different.
Never had acrylic.
Glass is considerably cheaper. It is hard to scratch. If you cant lift it just get help. I have never seen really big aquariums in acrylic. Never seen one over 180 never seen one for sale over maybe 55 gal.
