acrylic tank?

[Mike-fish]

im thinking of having a large tank built 340g . either acrylic or glass. so what are the drawbacks of an acrylic tank?

[Proteus]

Glass is über heavy. Acrylic is soft

[reefgirl189]

Originally Posted by Mike-fish

im thinking of having a large tank built 340g . either acrylic or glass. so what are the drawbacks of an acrylic tank?

Acrylic can be easily scratched would be the biggest con in my opinion.

Of course having said that the scratches can be buffed and polished out when the tank isn't running.

Acrylic generally becomes cheaper than glass on the large tank (like 300 gal and up) but not always.

[subman]

acrylic scratches easily. Glass is heavy and not as clear as acrylic.

Acrylic is a real pain in the *ss to clean.

Glass is heavy indeed, but way better for a big tank. The only thing I would build for acrylic would probably be a sump.... no need to clean it as well as you would clean an aquarium.

[MarkoD]

i've heard acrylic will yellow over time

[reefme]

I have a 280g acrylic tank you are welcome to see.

[Reef Pilot]

One of my display tanks is acrylic, and I would never get one again. Besides scratching easy, it is very difficult to clean off coralline algae. In contrast, I have new glass display tank downstairs, and it is almost a joy to clean.

[Mike-fish]

Thanks guys I should have updated this thread a while ago we picked up a glass 270g in stead. Great info and will be considered when I get dad wrapped arou d the idea of a bigger tank.

[untamed]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

i've heard acrylic will yellow over time

Maybe cheap acrylic...but not quality acrylic.

Originally Posted by reefgirl189

Acrylic can be easily scratched would be the biggest con in my opinion.

Of course having said that the scratches can be buffed and polished out when the tank isn't running.

Acrylic generally becomes cheaper than glass on the large tank (like 300 gal and up) but not always.

I just polished out the entire 6 foot front panel of my tank. I do that every few years and it does NOT require the tank to be emptied.

I think the clarity and colour issue shouldn't be down-played. As you get much larger than 300 or 400 gallons, you start building with thick glass. IMO, that thick glass creates green tint even if you use low iron glass.

I'm not saying that acrylic is without problems, I'm just trying to clear up some misconceptions.