humongus glass tank
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Gr8KarmaSF said:This was a previous post from MFK member: DELGADO, sorry I dont know how to create a link...thanks again Del
Acrylic is half the weight of glass.
It's easier to ship, move, and set up your aquarium.
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.
oh yea!!! i rock
oh yea!, my favortie part
rkc772 said:if you have the money... acrylic... if you are on the budget... glass
why not save?
I've got a glass 220g, we moved it with 4 people easily but had to use just 2 to get it through the doorways. Its heavy but 2 people can hold the weight.
Never owned an acrylic tank so cant commment but I have heard they scratch easy, sure you can polish the scratches out, but who wants to have to do that? I'd rather it not scratch easily in the first place!
Never owned an acrylic tank so cant commment but I have heard they scratch easy, sure you can polish the scratches out, but who wants to have to do that? I'd rather it not scratch easily in the first place!
i got a new 60 gal acrylic... and have an old 30 gal glass.. both have almost the same weight maybe the acrylic was a little lighter... with regards to temp i don't know.. color better on acrylic. but as hardboiled said... better the one not scratching. i only opt for the acrylic because it's different and the worst part is... the LFS would charge me for delivery if i got a bigger tank (glass) can't carry it alone.
My 600 gallon acrylic tank was all scratched up from having a reef tank for over 2.5 years and scraping all that coraline algae off the front did the front panel in. The scratches don't look too bad when full of water but when dry they really look bad.
I then bought a refinishing kit that fits on my orbital sander. I went through all the different grades using my orbital sander over the entire front panel and when done, the front panel looks almost new. Its not perfect but compared to what i did to it over the 3 years with trying to keep that hard coraline algae off the front, it was an amazing job.
Now when wet, the front panel looks perfect.
this stuff is very easy to re-finish if need be.
I love my acrylic tank.
Jeff
I then bought a refinishing kit that fits on my orbital sander. I went through all the different grades using my orbital sander over the entire front panel and when done, the front panel looks almost new. Its not perfect but compared to what i did to it over the 3 years with trying to keep that hard coraline algae off the front, it was an amazing job.
Now when wet, the front panel looks perfect.
this stuff is very easy to re-finish if need be.
I love my acrylic tank.
Jeff
