GLASS VS. ACRYLIC

[rallysman]

and didnt know if the floor would hold it when it was full of water so i went for acrylic

I've heard that before and It's just as funny now as it was before. If the weight difference between glass and acrylic will "make or break" the floor, then I don't even want to stand near that tank.

The only time the weight of the tank makes a difference is when you're moving it. A couple hundred pounds is nothing when you're talking about a couple thousand pounds of water.

 

[T1KARMANN]

i would never had got my tank up the stairs if it was glass in the 1st place

your best off asking people who have seen my tank to ask them what they think its not some cheap plasic box with holes cut out in the top like the acrylic tanks you get in the US

 

[rallysman]

i would never had got my tank up the stairs if it was glass in the 1st place

your best off asking people who have seen my tank to ask them what they think its not some cheap plasic box with holes cut out in the top like the acrylic tanks you get in the US

I'm sure your tank is awesome, but don't try to tell me that the weight of the tank will make any difference at all when it's full.

(your tank is beautiful from the pictures I've seen.)

 

[T1KARMANN]

I'm sure your tank is awesome, but don't try to tell me that the weight of the tank will make any difference at all when it's full.

(your tank is beautiful from the pictures I've seen.)

the weight was a thing for me i had a 6x2x2 tank set up in the same spot for 10yrs so i knew the floor would hold it

if i chould keep the weight about the same but buy the tank weighing less and more water i thought i was best to be safe than sorry

i think i was told to make a tank the size i wanted 30inch deep it would need to be 18-20mm glass trust me acrylic was the best route for me

 

[robroy]

This has been an interesting thread to read and has made me think differently about acrylic aquaria to the point for my upgrade in the future I'm looking at an acrylic (from the same manufacturer as T1-its excellent craftsmanship).

What I don't understand about any of this is the issue of scratches. What the hell are you people doing to get such scratches?! I just don't understand it. I've had my 100G for 3 years now and theres even the hint of a mark on it-its virtually brand new. Heres why;

-my 2 boys (3 & 6 years) know not to touch the tank with their hands or anything else such as toys. I explained this to them this as soon as they were able to understand
-I make it clear to friends and particularly their kids not to do the same-to the point where I'll keep the door shut to the room it I have to. I don't care who they are
-I'm meticulous and careful when cleaning the tank esp the glass (aren't we all told this) with a cloth or magnet
- I don't let any rockwork or wood lean on the glass

You could consider me dull in this approach but I've spent a lot of money on the set-up and to me its a valued possession and I treat it as such. It will stay in excellent condition because of this too. I personally think the reason for MOST (not all) scratches is sloppiness when it comes to aquatic husbandry. You wouldn't let it happen to your car would you (well to most of our cars anyhow!)?

 

[amehel0]

Glass is better. i do believe however that in time with more technology acrylic will outweigh glass. i have seen acrylic tanks after one year and i hate to diassapoint u but it was impossible to see the fish as a result of scratches. you know how they make bow front acrylic ariums right? they use too thin glass. oh and about acrylic being more flexible. yeh but who wants a complety bowed tank?

 

[TCZeli]

It just sucks that in order not to scratch up a acrylic tank, people have to go thru all that stuff.
-explaining ot a 3 year old not to go anywhere near the tank
-going out of your way to explain this to your company
-shutting the door so your company can't even enjoy it
-being EXTREMELY careful while positioning decorations such as wood/rocks

Guess thats what you have to do inorder to prevent scratches on acyrlic tanks. And I would do the same if I had acrylic. Thats why I have glass!

 

[robroy]

It just sucks that in order not to scratch up a acrylic tank, people have to go thru all that stuff.
-explaining ot a 3 year old not to go anywhere near the tank
-going out of your way to explain this to your company
-shutting the door so your company can't even enjoy it
-being EXTREMELY careful while positioning decorations such as wood/rocks

Guess thats what you have to do inorder to prevent scratches on acyrlic tanks. And I would do the same if I had acrylic. Thats why I have glass!

People don't have to do it-I just do it because I don't want scratches on my tank ( and its glass BTW!). Its also to stop people banging the s...t out of the tank (which you know they always think is funny to do) and making the fish go mad. My kids happily watch the tank and don't touch tanks when we go to shops either ( and I've been to some where the staff hate having kids in there)

 

[robroy]

Mess with any tank (glass or acrylic) and it will scratch. Deliberate or accidental it doesn't matter

 

[TCZeli]

Mess with any tank (glass or acrylic) and it will scratch. Deliberate or accidental it doesn't matter

true - but it takes alot more to scratch a glass tank.