jmark419

What are the pro's and cons with Acrylic tank vs glass? From what I hear acrylic has a cleaner look. Any cleaning issues with acrylic?

Slug

Acrylic scratches easier. Takes special stuff to clean it, special pads and such. But minor scratches can be buffered out. Acrylic is lighter then glass. Acrylic bows easier. Acrylic generally costs more and is only worth it if you are going very large.

Glass is heavy, resistant to scratching, doesn't bow as easy. Glass is cheaper then acrylic.

If you don't mind the money, they have low iron glass out now ("Starfire") that is very very clear, no green tint.

Hypnox

About the only time I could see myself going with acrylic would be if I wanted a mantis shrimp.

jmark419

I did see the starfire glass you are talking about and did think it was very clear. I think I will stick with glass.

dexter

I have a 29 gallon acrylic tank and a 10 gallon glass tank i find the acrylic tank more pleasing to the eyes and it seems clearer to me than the glass one, it could just be me though.

cichlidlover

I would do glass because:
glass is just as clear
over time acrylic could turn yellow

here_fishy_fishy24

I have a 33 gallon glass, and a 12 gallon acrylic. I prefer the glass, as well as the flat look over the bow. The acrylic does turn yellow and requires more cleaning.

Derek

My acrylic is 2 weeks old, and I had one spec of something in a pad, and the whole front is scratched. It can be buffed out, but Im trying to set up a new tank, and it really sucks to look at.

agabr123

depends entirely on what size tank you want. acrylic weighs a lot less but is really expensive and i'd only get it if you're getting a HUGE tank (at least 180+), otherwise glass is great. the only other difference i've noticed is that my algae scrubber works much better on glass than acrylic.