polybicorbanate vs glass for tank cover

[Louie]

Hello
My wife went to area glass place today to order cover for 30 gallon tank. Not standard cut thus can't buy regular cover .

The guy told her polybicorbanate (Not sure of spelling)glass/plastic was better as unbreakable . I have broken glass covers when cleaning them so thought this might be better.

This was sample piece he loaned her its dirty and scratched up which made for easier pic taking as not clear thus didn't clean it.

Anyone use it , any input?
Its only few dollars more than glass so no big deal and if unbreakable than way better but not sure if it will warp or leach chemicals.


Thanks

 

[FSM]

I've got no clue about the warping, but generally objects can't leach chemicals into the water unless they are in the water.

 

[Louie]

Thanks thats true never thought of that lol
. Will give it a try and order it dimensions I need this week. If it starts to warp will replace it with glass .

The unbreakable part is what sounds good to me.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Nothing is unbreakable. And it is guaranteed to warp on you. It always does. It isn't caused by heat, gravity, or weakness. It is caused by water absorption. If both sides are exposed to the same humidity level, then there won't be any warpage. Since the tank side is more humid than the outside, it absorbs more water and grows larger. Since the dry side doesn't grow, it curves convexly toward the water source (in this case it warps down). Here is the materials data sheet:
(notice the water and moisture absorption)
http://www.matweb.com/search/DataSheet.aspx?bassnum=O3100&group=General&ckck=1

 

[CHOMPERS]

By the way, polycarbonate plastic is known by the trade name Lexan.
Acrylic is known by several trade names, most notably Plexiglass. Polycarbonate has better impact resistance than acrylic but will yellow with age (accelerated with a UV source).

 

[krisRTC]

just to add it will slightly warp with heat but not alot, you can coat it with uv paint basically suntanlotion specially for plexiglass what you have probably get it form where you got that sheet but personally i wouldnt worry it probably wont discolour, i use it at work as iam in the glazing business,

 

[Louie]

By the way, polycarbonate plastic is known by the trade name Lexan.
Acrylic is known by several trade names, most notably Plexiglass. Polycarbonate has better impact resistance than acrylic but will yellow with age (accelerated with a UV source).

Right thats it.
Thanks by unbreakable I meant if I dropped it or banged it by accident while cleaning it in shower. I might get it or not depends how long before it warps.

thanks will go look at link

 

[Louie]

just to add it will slightly warp with heat but not alot, you can coat it with uv paint basically suntanlotion specially for plexiglass what you have probably get it form where you got that sheet but personally i wouldnt worry it probably wont discolour, i use it at work as iam in the glazing business,

You think it will last roughly 6 months without warping?

I ask as buying it new every 4 to 6 months is no big deal and for me beats worrying about breaking glass cover.

I was thinking of 1/8 thickness and again if I get few months out of it for $25 can't go wrong.

 

[Dr Joe]

When it starts to warp, flip it over and let it warp back the other way. Or buy a thicker piece.

Dr Joe

.

 

[Louie]

When it starts to warp, flip it over and let it warp back the other way. Or buy a thicker piece.

Dr Joe

.

1/8 is size I like as going to use hanging light but turning it around makes perfect sense.
I would like to think getting to much sun is to blame for not thinking of that lol .

I am going to order it this week and see how it works out . By reading the other replies and link seems if it warps takes awhile for it to happen.


Thanks everyone.