Are acrylic tanks really worth the extra $$$?

Herky

I've been looking around and the difference between glass and acrylic tanks is just astronomical when it comes to price...for the price of a full glass setup (stand and all) for a 55 gallon I would be paying the price for just an acrylic tank alone. Is it really worth it?

1077

I personally don't care for acrylic tanks. Too easy to become scratched. All it takes is a small piece of gravel or sand under algae scraper to do considerable damage. Just my opinion.

Fishin Pole

I'm in total agreement with 1077...............too easily scratched and i have seen acrylic get a foggy haze on it after years of use........dont know what would cause that to happen, but i have seen this happen more than once.......

Herky

Well, that pretty much settles it...glass it is.

Unrulyevil

Well people say that yes acrylic is a little better for numerous reasons, #1 it's lighter #2 stronger #3 it allows you to see your underwater world just the way it is with out any "deforming" that glass gives you.

Fishin Pole

look thru a bowfront acrylic tank an tell me you dont see any distortion?....................

Unrulyevil

bowfront no matter what it is will give you distortion, it's just the way it's made. Otherwise... acrylic is better :)

Fishin Pole

in your opinion..................but take a survey and see what everyone owns.......................2 to 1 glass over acrylic................for the extra money you spend on acrylic, you could have another glass tank in the house!

Unrulyevil

Pole.. that is ONLY because acrylic is more expansive than glass. Otherwise... acrylic is better. do you homework.

Ohh. and no leaks with acrylic .. EVER! but.. scratches..more easily than glass.

and if you want to take survey.. question should go something like.. If free tank was given to you what would you choose glass or acrylic. I myself have a glass tank but that is only because at this stage of my life I do not feel like spending 300$ for acrylic tank... but if someone would give me these 300$ I would buy acrylic tank.

Fishin Pole

dont matter how you pharse the question for the survey, there are more glass tanks than there are acrylic tanks......I can afford acrylic tanks but would never purchase one just because of the scratching that can and will occur.........Do my homework?..........how is it that you think acrylic tanks cant leak?......anything with a seam can leak........even acrylic tanks that are molecular bonded......What about acrylic and the fogging and yellowing effect that takes place after its been under a full spectrum light for a few years?.....Glass doesnt EVER yellow up, my one tank is over 20 years old and is fine, no yellowing and no scratches...Another disadvantage is the fact that an acrylic tank will need more support at the top of the tank because flexes more.......I dont know about you, but working in the tank is hard enough, much less having a bulkier center support to deal with......been raising fish for 20 years and the only advantage i do see to acrylic tanks is the ease of drilling for a filter setup.......