Poll: Acrylic and Glass

[reefhead165]

What kind of fish tank do you have? Glass or Acrylic?

[Engine 7]

All my tanks are glass. I dont like the way acrylic scratchs.

[jjjimmy]

^^^^ What he said.

[Aquaticman74]

Originally posted by Engine 7
All my tanks are glass. I dont like the way acrylic scratchs.

Glass scratches too. The difference is that when glass scratches you're stuck with them. Acrylic can be buffed out.

[Engine 7]

Glass scratchs too but the big difference is that acrylic scratchs with practically no pressure. If sand gets in between my mag float and the glass I am fine, If a rock falls against my glass I am fine as well. Acrylic...not so much.

[Wrassemeister]

I have owned both, im currently using an acrylic tank but my next one will be starphire rimless. Acrylic does scratch easier than glass, but it can be buffed out which can be a pain at times. there are benefits and downsides to both
Acrylic benefits:
1. Can be drilled for bulkheads fairly easily, smaller chance of cracking the tank while drilling.
2. Much easier to transport and move initially.
3. No silicone! = SMALLER CHANCE OF LEAKING.
Downsides:
1. Expensive at times.
2. Tanks often have lots of bracing on top.
3. Scratches easier than glass

Glass benefits:
1. You can use a razor blade to clean it.
2. You can go rimless without having to go as thick.
3. Doesn't scratch as easily.
Glass Downsides:
1. Big tanks are heavy heavy heavy.
2. Silicone seals deteriorate over the years.

I still don't think that either one is better than the other, they both have their highs and lows....

IMO the best way to go is low iron glass with black silicone. You get the clarity of acrylic and don't have to deal with the look of aging clear silicone.

[dja1980]

Glass for Inwall
Acrylic for a Stand

I hate seeing the siliconed corners on glass tanks!

[sh0tyme83]

I love starphire rimless tanks. I have always gone glass. I just haven't been around acrylic enough to trust its "toughness" so to speak.

[Flint&Eric]

glass for us...acrylic scratches way too easily. yes you can buff out scratches but it's a pita.

most people will probably think i'm crazy...but i just dont like the look of acrylic tanks, they look like plastic i like the crisp clean edges of glass. and yes i've seen the best of both glass and acrylic and glass just looks better to me...something about rimless acrylics bugs me too

i agree with what peter said, starphire rimless with black silicone is the best route.