Acrylic vs Glass

[SauRoN]

Checking the other thread about the epic and massive tanks all over the world, I noted that a lot of the BIG custom tanks are made of acrylic.

What are the Pros and Cons of each material?

[Altum]

Hi
Glass generally cheaper than acrylic, up to a point.

BUT I'm consulting on an acrylic aquarium project, part of a 6000L Coral Reef Mixed Biotope Display .
The tank should be in SA in 2-3weeks, for installation in the CAPE!
A second sizable Reef Display goes to Gauteng in early 2010!

acrylic pros
Made to any size or shape with mitred joints.

5 times lighter than glass MUCH easier to move from place to place

Can be polished if scratched (glass aquarium scratches are permanent , likely to 'haze' at best when buffed out)

Stronger than glass, 17 times the impact resistance of glass – virtually child proof and much safer

Easily customised

Thermodynamically efficient. Insulation vastly superior, Less Heating AND Chilling required to maintain ideal temperature range.

Clearer than glass, no blue or green tint up to 300mm thick.
there are EVEN clearer grades upto 750mm thick!!!


Glass pros
For smaller tanks upto around 1.5m, glass is really cheap(RELATIVELY!!)

But note the above and realise YOU DO GET low-iron content , high optical clarity glass as "a pricier than standard glass" option.

[wito-zn]

But wont acrylic go a yellow color after a while especially with a reef tank?

[Mongwopman]

isnt acrylic more expensive?

[Henk Hugo]

isnt acrylic more expensive?

much more upto a point... theres a point where acrylic actually becomes cheaper than glass

[Bri]

I am considering going the acrylic "route". My Nano Cube is acrylic as well. The fact that is stronger than glass, makes it a better long time investment for me.

[Henk Hugo]

unless you tank is over 2.5m dont worry about acrylic... it is EXTREMELY expensive at small scale... glass only becomes more expensive at over 2.5M

[Zoom]

Hi
Can be polished if scratched (glass aquarium scratches are permanent , likely to 'haze' at best when buffed out)[/B]


How can you polish out the scratches? I've got a second hand acrylic tank and it came with a few scars from previous battles.

[Altum]

But wont acrylic go a yellow color after a while especially with a reef tank?

Not with quality source material.
But there ARE lot of "knock-offs" in marketplace.

Correctly Specified for high UV content intense reef lighting, possible Ozone exposure, prolonged DAYLIGHT conditions....even dye-based medications...no problem.

Acrylic is the choice of major, large, commercial and public aquaria reef displays for clear, unimpeded view is of utmost importance.

^^^ Gonna be tough to remove without compromising strength and looks^^^

But ,for those tanks I would get, I ask for scratch, touch-up kit.
Similar are available online as DIY. USA and some Asia outlets carry them.

KNOWLEDGE of the extent, type of scratch as well as ACTUAL acrylic used is vital..or else end results aren't what you would predict.

For larger(read bigger price-tag) installations, critical marks are removed by subcontractors TO the manufacturers.

THEY remove using the aquarium manufacturers PROPRIETARY buffpads, cloth, solutions and rotary polishers.

ALL to remain within warranty/guarantee conditions for that tank.



How can you polish out the scratches? I've got a second hand acrylic tank and it came with a few scars from previous battles.

[SauRoN]

unless you tank is over 2.5m dont worry about acrylic... it is EXTREMELY expensive at small scale... glass only becomes more expensive at over 2.5M

Precisely why I'm asking because I figure somewhere in my life I want to build one of these massive free standing in the middle of the room tanks.

I'm just wondering how the hell do they do those super thick ones, where multiple sheets are used and bonded together, and yet there are no bubbles or any indication of multiple layers.