What things can Stain Acrylic Tanks?

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

Ulu

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Dec 13, 2018
1,882
3,545
164
The Sunny San Joaquin
I have zero experience with acrylic aquariums and I'm welcoming all suggestions. Are there animals, medications, fish water chemicals, decorations Etc, that you should never put in an acrylic Aquarium?

This year I have embarked upon two things I claimed I would never do and one is to start a saltwater aquarium. It's a 125 glass but I haven't set it up yet and all my salty fish are still in a 30.

The other is that I bought an acrylic tank for my oscar fish and I did it for two reasons in spite of the high cost and easy scratching.

I'm trying not to put too much weight on the stand because it's not designed for an enormous tank. I thought 100 gallon glass tank would be pushing it and I cut back to the 75 gallon acrylic.

I was also afraid that the Oscar could break a glass tank much more easily than a Plexiglas acrylic plastic tank.

One of the reasons I've never liked the idea of an acrylic tank is distortion. I got rid of all my glass lids and put on acrylic Lids. . . until I figured out that acrylic Lids suck up moisture and sag.

Lexan lids are much better than plexiglas IMO, but I don't notice anybody selling lexan aquariums.

They say that if a writer wants to be boring he should tell every single thing, and so you are all efficiently bored now.

;)
 
I have 3/4 inch lids. They do sag over time but nothing thats noticeable unless your looking at it and KNOW what to look for
 
  • Like
Reactions: Polyaddict86 and Dloks
My largest single lid is 12"x30" from 1/8" Lexan.
It doesn't sag with time.

I have 12"x24" from 1/8" acrylic and they sag a lot.
The underside grows so much in a week they bind in the tank top.
 
jaws7777 said:
I have 3/4 inch lids. They do sag over time but nothing thats noticeable unless your looking at it and KNOW what to look for
Click to expand...
Didnt you mentioned some low quality acrylic can crack from direct sunlight overtime, ive seen that happened to some tanks.
 
Polyaddict86 said:
Didnt you mentioned some low quality acrylic can crack from direct sunlight overtime, ive seen that happened to some tanks.
Click to expand...
I think it can lead to crazing
 
  • Like
Reactions: Polyaddict86
They don't make aquariums out of polycarbonate (PC) for a number of reasons. The main one is cost, PC is way more expensive. PC dosen't offer the same clarity as acrylic and scratches easier. PC yellows overtime if sunlight gets to it. And to a lesser degree PC leaches out bisphenol A, but studies are on going on this one.

I could chime in with a load of nice facts about acrylic now, from a plastic point of view, but from an acrylic aquarium point of view, and potential problems, I can't really offer much because i've never owned one. The only thing I will say is that acrylic "bows" easier than PC, all acrylic aquarium owners are familiar with "bowing". It also chips easier because it's not as tough as PC. Scratches can be buffed out easily (plenty of threads on this subject).

As far as i'm aware there's no chemicals in any medications or "fish water chemicals" that will cause problems with acrylic. I'd just be careful with placement of rocks etc as not to chip the inside of the tank and when cleaning the front, stay away from solvents and the like and abrasive cloths.

I'm sure others will chime in with better info than i've offered on acrylic tanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom