Acrylic vs Glass

[littlewoodchuck]

I was wondering about the " bending" issue. how much bending would one expect on a 6 foot eurbraced tank that is 2' high and 3' wide?

I am planning to build an acrylic tank and although it does scratch when itabused it is easy to fix a scratch as opposed to glass, easy to cut and work with unlike glass, ten times more stronger than glass, lighter weight than glass and that clarity is better. not to mention no ugly silicone.
I have several glass tanks and once I build and cycle my new tank then all you glass lovers can come and grab a glass tank off of me.

[Reef Pilot]

I have a 6' acrylic tank and the panes are actually smaller than another 6' glass tank I have downstairs. There is no bending, but the acrylic tank does have a one piece euro brace top, incl a center brace.

However, the scratching issue is a big one. I hate cleaning the acrylic too, needs plastic blades, and coralline seems to really love it. My downstairs glass tank is a dream to clean compared to this one.

I would not build or buy a tank again that is acrylic.

[carriej]

I've got a friend who makes quite a few acrylic tanks...

As long as you're careful, they don't scratch TOO easily and they can be buffed out. They are lighter, more durable and less likely to break (think rockslide), plus they don't have that green tint that thicker glass does. However, it is not cost effective to even bother with acrylic unless doing a very large tank as cell cast acrylic can be $$$

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by carriej

I've got a friend who makes quite a few acrylic tanks...

As long as you're careful, they don't scratch TOO easily and they can be buffed out. They are lighter, more durable and less likely to break (think rockslide), plus they don't have that green tint that thicker glass does. However, it is not cost effective to even bother with acrylic unless doing a very large tank as cell cast acrylic can be $$$

Starfire glass = no green tint

[hillegom]

You say you want to build 6x3x3
I would not go deeper than 2'
Hard to get down 3' to clean/move things
Corals will not get enough light at 36 inches. But good for a FOWLR.
As far as acrylic vs glass, I vote for glass. I have a friend that has an older acrylic tank, and it is starting to "craze" ( is that even a word?) Tiny little cracks that are structurally sound (so I am told) but not very pleasing to the eye.

[BackPackHunter]

Originally Posted by hillegom

You say you want to build 6x3x3
I would not go deeper than 2'
Hard to get down 3' to clean/move things
Corals will not get enough light at 36 inches. But good for a FOWLR.
As far as acrylic vs glass, I vote for glass. I have a friend that has an older acrylic tank, and it is starting to "craze" ( is that even a word?) Tiny little cracks that are structurally sound (so I am told) but not very pleasing to the eye.

I've had a 3x3x3 and know the fun of working in the tank
I would have a hot shower, then get into it.
I just put on swimming goggles n hold my breath
The corals will be higher up in to the rock ...

[BackPackHunter]

I priced out the acrylic (1") and it would be around 3k for the sheets if I did all the work myself.

[BackPackHunter]

I'm not worried about abuse on the acrylic
There won't be anyone touching it, only worried about the fish rubbing on it and scratching it that way,
ie... Triggers scales n tang barbs

I don't wanna have to buff it every couple yrs

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by BackPackHunter

I priced out the acrylic (1") and it would be around 3k for the sheets if I did all the work myself.

You could have a custom built glass tank for a third of that.

[sirruckus]

I've had acrylic as our first tank 90 gallon 4' x 18" x 24" tall used 3/8" with wrapped corners - way nicer looking than a glass aquarium IMO hands down because of this feature - also got it because of being paranoid with bumping into it and smashing a glass aquarium.

after having it, just like another user has mentioned:

easy to scratch = harder to clean
Coraline loves to grow on it = harder to clean

if you wanted to do acrylic you could probably use 1/2" or 5/8" material

but I'll caution you, if it was anything like our tank - you'll be spending 30 minutes or more cleaning your acrylic (FYI mr. clean magic erasers work best for this and cause no harm to your inhabitants)