Crystal clear: What is your opinion of acrylic reef tanks?

[italquam]

I prefer acrylic for several reasons

1. They are half the weight of glass.
2. They have better warranties than glass tanks
3. The seams are held by molecular bond , so wont need to be re-sealed ever
4. Can be refinished when they scratch
5. Most are made in USA of American products
6. They are clearer than even Starfire glass
7. Insulates better than glass




Just my preference, but if I am spending thousands of dollars on a tank , thousands on livestock, I don't want to be on a time clock for a seam failure, I rather sleep at night knowing my fish are safe.

 

[csnmusic02]

I would do glass to 180 gallons after that it’s acrylic glass scratches it’s forever acrylic can be polished and half the weight I use both but my 360 is acrylic and I put it on my stand by myself

 

[Pico bam]

Glass and acrylic tanks each have uses. If staying on the small side go glass, Large tanks? I lean toward acrylic. Have you ever moved a huge glass tank? I get it all day glass glass glass... nothing compares to a large acrylic aquarium. @italquam you summed it up nicely. Easy to move, insulating, longevity, clarity. Most people that have never owned an acrylic tank don't relise you can buff out the scratches similarly to polishing a car. When there's water in the tank micro scratches inside are invisible. As long as you take care of the tank and use the proper tools it isn't a problem. Oh no scratches is all I'm getting out of this thread:/

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Two reasons I prefer glass:

1. Acrylic scratches super easily, to the point where an urchin or triggerfish can damage it.
2. It seems almost too clear to me. I prefer the slight green hue visible in glass, odd as it might sound.

That being said, acrylic is much better for large tanks.

 

[jsker]

I like certain glasses used in system the are hard to scratch and clarity. Acrylic is great for the reason, acrylic can be buffed and fixed easier than glass.

 

[LPS Bum]

Crystal clear: What is your opinion of acrylic reef tanks?

Reef tank selection includes the choice between glass and acrylic and many people have a strong opinion. Many of the new nano and pico tanks such as the Eshopps Deskmate are constructed with acrylic and have gotten strong reviews. As tanks get larger, weight becomes an issue and acrylic tanks are lighter. The last time I helped move a 500-gallon tank I was glad it was acrylic. I’m also glad there were some really strong people helping! There are other pros and cons such as acrylic tanks can scratch more easily, but scratches can usually be repaired. What is your opinion about acrylic reef tanks? Please share your comments in the comments below!

View attachment 3040978
December 2022 Reef-of-the-Month by Lou Schiavo using an Eshopps Deskmate Pico Tank; Photo by @WWC

All 3 of my aquariums are glass, and that's all I'll ever use. They're cheaper and much more resistant to scratching. But if I had a HUGE aquarium where weight was an issue, or needed it modified to an odd shape (like a cylinder) then acrylic is the better way to go.

For my standard rectangular aquariums, I'll stick with glass.

 

[Toob]

Would never run a tank without UV so I would never use an Acrylic tank.

Can you explain? Why can't you run UV with acrylic?!

 

[italquam]

This video convinced me acrylic is better, this is part 1 , but part 2 is on their page

 

[Aspect]

Can you explain? Why can't you run UV with acrylic?!

It will turn the acrylic slightly yellow over time.

 

[Haggisman14]

All my previous tanks have been glass (20 tall, 50 breeder, 29 BioCube), and now I"ve got a 4.8 eShopps Deskmate (acrylic).

Personally I prefer glass tanks (not as worried about scratching the glass or causing a nick in the panel), but I think there are places for acrylic. I'm in love with this Deskmate, and love the fact that it's got some orange highlights for the bottom of the tank (and for little tanks it's nice to have something super light!

 

[shadyraro]

Wasn’t the Aquadom aquarium that burst in Berlin a few months ago acrylic?

 

[albano]

Wasn’t the Aquadom aquarium that burst in Berlin a few months ago acrylic?

I’ll bet that they will not replace it with glass!

 

[albano]

Acrylic is great for the reason, acrylic can be buffed and fixed easier than glass.

I’ve never seen anyone get ‘visible’ scratches successfully removed from a glass tank.

 

[littlefoxx]

Crystal clear: What is your opinion of acrylic reef tanks?

Reef tank selection includes the choice between glass and acrylic and many people have a strong opinion. Many of the new nano and pico tanks such as the Eshopps Deskmate are constructed with acrylic and have gotten strong reviews. As tanks get larger, weight becomes an issue and acrylic tanks are lighter. The last time I helped move a 500-gallon tank I was glad it was acrylic. I’m also glad there were some really strong people helping! There are other pros and cons such as acrylic tanks can scratch more easily, but scratches can usually be repaired. What is your opinion about acrylic reef tanks? Please share your comments in the comments below!

View attachment 3040978
December 2022 Reef-of-the-Month by Lou Schiavo using an Eshopps Deskmate Pico Tank; Photo by @WWC

very interested in what people think of 200 gallon acrylic tanks… i have a red sea 69 thats glass and was a pain to put together with weight and I seem to have so much of the smokey look with algae after scraping every day… been looking to upgrade to a bigger tank but dont wanna have a huge pain putting it together so l was looking at acrylic for that size, but when l do scape my glass it looks amazing!!

 

[FurrierTransform]

Transparent Aluminum will hold a couple of whales in an aquarium.

 

[Reeflix]

i might use acrylic but.... i would rather use low iron glass them acrylic because acrylic absorbs water and dings easily. i also don't want it to bow so i prefer low iron if was doing it for clarity

 

[YoubetyourWrasse]

My back thanks for me using acrylic...it is worth the money. I have even fixed scratches with fish in the tank (FW) with Novus 2 & 3 with some 1000-2400 grit sand paper. Most scratches are invisible and not permanent like glass. Most newer acryic tanks are stronger and better viewing imho. What gets the most mileage out of acrylic over the years has been using melamine foam to clean algae...otherwise known as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (original non treated). A year supply for 5 bucks...love the stuff...perfect for cleaning acrylic.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Would never run a tank without UV so I would never use an Acrylic tank.

UV does not harm cell cast acrylic ever. Not since the 50's & 60's. Just saying that is not a thing!

 

[Aspect]

UV does not harm cell cast acrylic ever. Not since the 50's & 60's. Just saying that is not a thing!

It doesn't affect it's structural integrity however prolonged UV use has been shown to stain the acrylic yellow over time.

 

[Troylee]

I’d take acrylic over glass any day! Not saying that cause I build them but because…

acrylic tanks with the proper material size and a good fabricator solvent welding it up is a tank with a life time warranty! Sure they scratch but they’re easy to fix also.. “glass you can’t buff a scratch out” I currently have a glass tank cause it was cheap and I wanted to get my feet wet again before going all out and it has more scratches than any acrylic tank I’ve ever owned or built.. IT DRIVES ME CRAZY LOL. the whole glass vs acrylic thing and scratches is nonsense! Low iron glass scratches just as easy if not easier than acrylic lol… the biggest difference is a chemical weld vs silicone seams and that’s where acrylic wins every time hands down!