GLASS VS. ACRYLIC

[xdragonxb0i]

What do public aquariums use for their large shark tanks?
Glass or Acrylic?

Most Likely glass, i never seen a public aquariums with alot of scratches, that would resemble an acrylic tank.

If the Aquarium will be place permanently, i would get a glass tank, because it will not scratch like acrylic.

But for people like us, who constantly upgrade or move tanks i would get an acrylic tank.

large Glass tanks are a real pain in the ass to transport, but they wont scratch as easy.

Large acrylic tanks are easier to transport (lighter), but scratch easily

 

[Nathan43]

I emailed glasscages about the weight of 2 tanks.
Glass (130x24x25) 800lbs which is way to heavy to move around by hand and that isn't even 400 Gallons
Acrylic (120x24x25) 350lbs and the two are pretty far apart on price, the weight would be all the more worth it in my opinion, not to mention the clarity. It's worth buffing out scratches here and there.

 

[Toby_H]

I emailed glasscages about the weight of 2 tanks.
Glass (130x24x25) 800lbs which is way to heavy to move around by hand and that isn't even 400 Gallons
Acrylic (120x24x25) 350lbs and the two are pretty far apart on price, the weight would be all the more worth it in my opinion, not to mention the clarity. It's worth buffing out scratches here and there.

What was the difference in price between the two?

I see the Glass 130x24x25 is $1200..

But did not see the Acrylic 120x24x25 listed...



Like with most things... when consdiering every detail of either material... I do not think one will ever prove better... and each persons individual situation will dictate which is better for them


I just did a quick comparison on one manufacturers website... If I had $1000 to spend what is the biggest glass tank I could get vs what is the biggest acrylic tank I could get...

Glass - 300 Gal Wide (96" x 30" x 25" tall)

Acrylic - Standard 180 (72" x 24" x 24" tall)

The weight of that 300 gal glass tank would be enormous... but the size difference is also enormous... That would be a hard call for me to make, but I know which way I would go...

 

[zennzzo]

I emailed glasscages about the weight of 2 tanks.
Glass (130x24x25) 800lbs which is way to heavy to move around by hand and that isn't even 400 Gallons
Acrylic (120x24x25) 350lbs and the two are pretty far apart on price, the weight would be all the more worth it in my opinion, not to mention the clarity. It's worth buffing out scratches here and there.

'Zactly

 

[cozmo]

Can an acrylic tank be stood on it's edge so it can be moved? Will there be any damage to the tank at all? I need to move a tank down the hallway and around a corner to the next room and the only way possible is to stand the tank on edge. Is this ok to do if only for a few minutes?
Thanks

 

[zennzzo]

Can an acrylic tank be stood on it's edge so it can be moved? Will there be any damage to the tank at all? I need to move a tank down the hallway and around a corner to the next room and the only way possible is to stand the tank on edge. Is this ok to do if only for a few minutes?
Thanks

You didn't give the dimensions of your tank, but I assume if you need to move it on end,
it must be 100g+ ( > 4' x 2' x 2' )?

That's the way I moved my 225g (72"L x 30"W x 24"H) acrylic into the room it's in now...down the hall it went, then up on end, and through the doorway...
Just don't drop it on the corner edges and you'll be fine.
Keep the acrylic flat against the floor, not the corners...

It might help to lay a thick blanket on the floor and set the tank on that and then drag the blanket and tank together...

I got 2 sets of suction cup handles to make the handling easier...get them at harbor freight for cheap...

 

[cozmo]

sorry, yes it's a 180 gallon tank. I planned on moving it on it's side but I wanted to make sure it was ok to do first. Thanks for the help!

 

[zennzzo]

sorry, yes it's a 180 gallon tank. I planned on moving it on it's side but I wanted to make sure it was ok to do first. Thanks for the help!

no prob.
good luck with the move...
Do beware of imbedded "goodies" in the carpet that WILL scratch your tank if you slide over it...That's why I use the "blanket/dolly" method...never fails, there could be one tiny sharp pebble in the whole carpet and I will find it somehow...

 

[cozmo]

yeah, I have a clean quilt that is ready to be put to work lol.
Thanks again!

 

[olive_cat]

Acrylic has major advantages over glass especially for larger tanks (200 gallons and up) - much lighter; far less damage prone (acrylic is flexible - glass shatters or fractures very readily); drilling acrylic for fittings weakens the tank structure to a negligible degree - glass tank wall strength reduction is substantially greater; greatly reduced leakage (especially if acrylic tank is properly component-sized and 'cured'; greater clarity for acyrlic- try comparing a glass 300 vs. an acrylic 300