Low iron glass
 

Really needed? Looking like will add another $400 to a $800 tank.

Tank will be about 72x20x20 as a room divider so viewable from both sides. My current 75g is with standard glass and seems okay but does have a painted back.

Well, it's a judgment call. Personally, I think, if it's a reef tank, you might as well go for it, so long as you can afford it. If it makes the difference between having a tank and not having a tank, then don't sweat it. But otherwise, I highly doubt you'll find yourself, down the road, assuming you did get low-iron, saying something like "Darn, this tank's glass is entirely too clear, what a waste of money."

If you're looking at 1/2" glass, you can totally tell a difference between regular and low-iron. Regular looks green in comparison.

On a (comparisonly) low lit tank like a FO, it's probably overkill. But on a brightly lit tank, it might be worthwhile. I think you can tell a difference between low-iron and not-low-iron glass on a reef tank.

Would Starfire be considered as low iron glass or is this a whole different type of glass? Also how much would it cost in comparision to normall glass?

Starphire is a brand name of Low Iron glass.
Made by PPG.

The $800 was for a 72x20x20 drilled and overflows. The additional $400 was to have the two large panels changed to low iron.

reply
 

Which company was that quote from? Have you tried Bow valley aquarium here in Calgary? They might beat that price.

Was Bow Valley

starfire nice
 

Mark
thats a steep jump for starphire. Talk to them again and ask them why the price is double for starphire.
FWIW, i have low iron glass on three sides of my tank because my tank is viewed from both long sides and one of the ends. My tank sits between my family room and kitchen which has white cabinets. From the family room, looking through the two panes of low iron glass and 24 inches of water, my kitchen cabinets do not change in appearance to any shade of green. Once I saw that, i'll never go back to regular glass because I do not like the green tint wehn the lights are out.
cwlee

I found when I had my tank built, that the cost of low-iron has really jumped this year from years previous. Unfortunate fact of life, everything just keeps going up and up and up in price.

ref pics
 

and don't forget better clarity and color (front pane at least) make for better pictures, esp. macros
FYI

Does the low iron glass come in different grades or is it just one type known as Starphire. Any idea what the clearest glass is that is available for aquarium use.

There is another type of ultra-clear glass that is made by a competitior of PPG (I forget the actual name). In terms of grade, I'm not sure what you mean, but it does come in different thickness and can also be tempered.

I believe that the price of oil has a significant effect on the cost of acrylic. Not sure about glass, but it seems reasonable to assume this...

I got a quote from Bow Valley/Inter-American for a similar tank to yours and it was about the same price you were given. They do quality work but last time I talked to Doug he told me they were really busy and had huge orders coming in from local shops and from the US, so it might take a while if you go with them.