Acrylic or Glass

[Mrfish55]

I have built a number of tanks, also re-sealed a number of large tanks, unless you enjoy the DIY projects I would recomend you just buy one, unless you know somebody in the glass buisiness that can give you a deal, you will find the materials to build will cost as much or more than buying a ready made tank and a DIY has no warranty. If you are looking to save a few bucks I have a like new 180 w/dual overflow I will sell at good deal

Originally Posted by plutoniumJoe

Thanks for the replies, it is good to get reponses from those who have had them in the past. I guess the other part of the equation might be, is it practical to make your own 180gal glass aquarium using a starfire front pane?

Excuse my naivity but they don't seem too complicated and if you eurobrace the top it would be pretty solid. If I am way off please try not to refer to me as a complete idiot in your reponse.

Joe

[plutoniumJoe]

Thanks MrFish I pm'd you.

[Diana]

Been working on a list for our website... not quite finished yet:

Benefits of Acrylic

• Lightweight
• Several times stronger than glass
• Less distortion
• Easily refined
• Custom forms

• Clearer than glass
• Insulates better than glass
• Stronger seams
• Scratches can be removed
• Capeable of holding large water volumes

Benefits of Glass

• Less easily scratched
• Does not cloud over time
• More resistant to reef related
  organisms such as Coralline Algae
• Lower cost

Negatives of Acrylic

• Scratches easily
• Higher cost

Negatives of Glass

• Heavy
• Weaker than acrylic
• Green hue (not Starphire)

For our business we recommend acrylic for people that are doing large (300 gal +) tanks, or tanks in apartment buildings and highrises, or odd shaped tanks. We hesitate to do liverock and reef aquariums in acrylic tanks, but even large fish only tanks will get scratched.

I suggest for the regular sized and shaped tanks just do starphire glass, especially if you are doing a reef or tank with scratchy fish like puffers.

HTH
-Diana

[plutoniumJoe]

Thanks Diana for the input I will need to call upon your services this summer when we are out of town.