Starphire vrs good old glass

[Ram3500]

Hey guys I am in the market for a new tank . What are your thoughts on starphier vrs regular glass. Pros and cons and can you see a big difference ?

[Pan]

The Clarity is there for Starphire, but it does scratch easier. I'd say its a 50/50 split. I have had both and like either tank. Best is to see a starphire tank up close and see what you prefer.

I would not have a starphire tank built for me again, but I would purchase one used if it was scratch free. The cost for me does not translate into good tank mojo after the fact.

[sphelps]

I don't really think it scratches much easier, the truth is if you can scratched a starphire tank it's more than likely you would have scratched the regular glass as well. I think it's a blame game people play when they've been careless.

[Werbo]

I agree with Sphelps. People with scratched up staphire tanks would probably have a scratched up regular tanks.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Tyler Werbowski

I agree with Sphelps. People with scratched up staphire tanks would probably have a scratched up regular tanks.

What exactly do you base that on Tyler. I,m one of them and you dont know my circumstances or me.

[Doug]

I would add one thing. If I had know the so called "clear" glass was softer I would have been extra careful. And perhaps not scratched it and wrecked a beautiful tank. So I guess you could call that careless.

And FWIW, If I was to do another larger type tank, I would use one of the "clear" version glass, at least in the viewing pane.

[denny_CC]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I don't really think it scratches much easier, the truth is if you can scratched a starphire tank it's more than likely you would have scratched the regular glass as well. I think it's a blame game people play when they've been careless.

+1 , yes starphire is slightly softer ,but when it comes to cleaning and general maintanance its no different then float glass.

if you scratch starphire you probably would have scratched float glass as well.

starphire for us is easier to cut thats where we notice the difference , other than that theres no diff, besides clarity and price


cheers

denny
concept aquatics

[riceboy]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I don't really think it scratches much easier, the truth is if you can scratched a starphire tank it's more than likely you would have scratched the regular glass as well. I think it's a blame game people play when they've been careless.

I agree as well i've had my tank for 2 years now and have yet to scratch it and i clean with a blade attached to my mag algea scraper.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I don't really think it scratches much easier, the truth is if you can scratched a starphire tank it's more than likely you would have scratched the regular glass as well. I think it's a blame game people play when they've been careless.

Yea we are just all stupid I guess.

Steve I have never really disagreed with you ever but do with some of this. You seem to be on a crusade against regular glass.

Perhaps its certain brands or a cheaper version but it does scratch easier. I dont play the blame game and have 40yrs with a ton of tanks. The "clear" version I had, did scratch easily much more so than any of the regular glass tanks I have had.

If you had read the thread on my 180g cube back then you would have seen the several advanced aquarists agree with my findings. Plus so did the company that supplied it.

Are we all wrong? Certainly we are not making up. If its a blame game thing as you say, why did I not scratch any of my other several dozen tanks of all sizes. I cant say regular would not have scratched or not in the particular case that mine was but I can say I have done far worse to regular glass tanks and not scratched it.

Has to be some merit in that.

[Pan]

Originally Posted by Pan

The Clarity is there for Starphire, but it does scratch easier. I'd say its a 50/50 split. I have had both and like either tank. Best is to see a starphire tank up close and see what you prefer.

I would not have a starphire tank built for me again, but I would purchase one used if it was scratch free. The cost for me does not translate into good tank mojo after the fact.

I have yet to scratch a tank either, but have always heard starphire scratches easier, even from a couple tank makers so I have always given that pause for thought. I think the only real concern is do you think the clarity is worth the extra costs. I don't really anymore but I do not know your budget. There difference is quite noticeable side by side, but I feel with good maintenance and cleaning a regular 'ol float glass tank looks great. Now if you had too identical setups one float and one star...well maybe you would always choose star...but the price is higher. Again depending on your budget. you do have to look at it all the time