Acrylic or glass? What should i use for 600gal tank???!?!

[PJsStuff]

I can't decide on what to make my new tank out of. The tank is going to be about 6'x6'x either 25" or 30" tall, not sure on the dimensions yet but around this size. The thing that worries me about the acrylic is the scratches and glass im affraid the seams will give and it will bust. what do you guys/gals think??

[CalDiver]

Don't forget about the weight. A glass aquarium of that size my have to be built in place just because of the weight.

[PJsStuff]

True but thats not a problem im just want something that im not going to have to worry about waking up to 600gallons of saltwater on my floor.

[Gooli]

I wouldnt sleep at night if i had something this big in glass...acrylic is my pick. i know scratches can be annoying but you learn to live with them and you can usually remove scratches from acrylic.

[Untamed12]

I'm an acrylic guy also. My tank is 6' x 4' and I just would never trust the seals on glass. The fish have already scratched the tank in less than 1 year, but I would still not consider glass.

[PJsStuff]

How hard is it to fix scratches in acrylic?

[Elliott]

I don't like the idea of a large tank breaking, would use acrylic even if it means dealing with scratches, my two cents

[spazz]

scratches are easy to remove from acrylic. the biggest thing that causes scratches is getting the cleaner too close to the sand bed. if you push the sand away from the front glass before you clean the front than you will be less likely to scratch it.
also acrylic sheets are readlly available in 6 ft x 8 ft sizes. you can build and awesome tank from those sheets and it wont cost an arm and a leg. you might want to get some quotes on both types of material for that size tank. i think the glass tank would cost alot more to build than the acrylic tank would. and there is less chances of the tank seams letting go with acrylic.
that is if the manufacture is using the right thickness of acrylic.
in the end your the only one who can really make that choice. we can give you our opinions all day long but you have to make the final choice.

[PJsStuff]

THanks for the input. The poll is a tie lol. Where are some good acrylic tank builder? I'm in IN so someplace fairly close so i could posibbly pick the tank up and save on shipping. I was going to use Aquariums for you if i went glass. Waiting on a quote back for acrylic from them.

[Elliott]

PJsStuff THanks for the input. The poll is a tie lol. Where are some good acrylic tank builder? I'm in IN so someplace fairly close so i could posibbly pick the tank up and save on shipping. I was going to use Aquariums for you if i went glass. Waiting on a quote back for acrylic from them.

talk to Spazz


btw, here is a new thread about a glass tank breaking:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1255137

[polywise]

PJsStuff,
I am in the same boat with you. I love the properties of glass, and dread the potential scratches in plastic. I would go with glass, and if possible I was thinking of having (2) steel frames created. One for the bottom, and one for the top, for added protection. I figured that I could hide them with the cabinetry that I would build. Has anyone on RC used this method, and had sucessful results on a large tank?

[steve the plumb]

It all depends who builds the tank class cages is probably the cheapest.They also sell commercial tanks where the glass is made thicker the only problem with them is I have read threads where people were happy and threads where people were very unhappy and disappointed so it all depends on who you speak to.They would be the cheapest company to go with when it comes to glass.When looking for a tank I found a guy locally to build me an 8ft tank 8x30x24 with one big center overflow and drilled for a closed loop.He was asking $2500 plus tax.This was without sapphire front.I would think it would have cost me at least $300 more for the sapphire front pane.I also could have saved the tax.My acrylic tank cost me $1467 U.S. and me and my friend lifted the tank without a problem.I can tell you that in my case if I wanted a taller tank30" the price jumped because of the sheet of acrylic($1900) I was better off going 8ft x48"x30" it was $2200 for an acrylic tank.I would have done it but my basement was to small the tank would have stuck out like a sore thumb.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by PJsStuff
I can't decide on what to make my new tank out of. The tank is going to be about 6'x6'x either 25" or 30" tall, not sure on the dimensions yet but around this size. The thing that worries me about the acrylic is the scratches and glass im affraid the seams will give and it will bust. what do you guys/gals think??

if it's a 600 gallon FO use acrylic.
if it's a 600 gallon reef aquarium use glass.

[PJsStuff]

its going to be a reef. Aquariumsforyou wanted around $4k for the glass not sure what they want for the acrylic yet.

[kdblove_99]

that size tank u would dream of using glass, I know people do but if that tank cracks i will not feel sorry for them.

That size Acrylic is the only choice

[skey44]

age... pvc, glass, and acrylic!

[PJsStuff]

Why all three and how does that make it better?

[t-bone2]

i would do a wood tank with glass front

[jnarowe]

Hey Scott, I have left you a message, sent an email, and not heard back. I know you are busy, but I really need expert help!

[PJsStuff]

the tank will be viewable from three sides so there wouldn't be much wood lol

[t-bone2]

ahh

[Jetdrvr]

You guys are scaring me now! I'm planning out upgrading from my 125 ag to a 215 oceanic ultimate. The oceanic says it has a lifetime warranty, can that be?
DO you think I have anything to worry about with glass and this size tank?

Thanks

[vair]

Originally posted by Jetdrvr
You guys are scaring me now! I'm planning out upgrading from my 125 ag to a 215 oceanic ultimate. The oceanic says it has a lifetime warranty, can that be?
DO you think I have anything to worry about with glass and this size tank?

Thanks

No