Acrylic aquariums....are they really worth the cost?

OK.....basically I need to get at least one more aquarium (I have one on order with a two week from now delivery date than can be cancelled if the other option is viable)

I want to pick brains I spose.

The choice that I have is this :

Buy two 60 litre hex glass aquariums along with all the gadgets and gizmo's for a full set up and then figure out where to actually put one of them

Or

Buy one 135 litre octagonal acrylic aquarium that has built in filtration (which is in the hood but I am very unsure exactly how efficient it would be compared to an external) but needs everything else for the full set up and would not need a head scratching session to figure out where to put it...BUT.....is a curb pallet delivery only and its only me and the curb is a considerable distance from the front door.

Cost wise.....the two 60 litres with ancilliaries come to around £450 with free delivery, the acrylic 135 litre with ancilliaries come to around the same but then a £50 pallet delivery charge on top

I have always fancied an acrylic aquarium (blame watching Tanked on TV for that lol) but the cost and the lugging the parts of it from curb into the room is giving me doubts......just how much weight would we be talking about for an acrylic aquarium with a base and hood....the aquarium alone is 89cm tall x 52cm x 32cm with a full top to bottom height of 148cm once constructed.

I am torn tween what I know will work out fine....and the acrylic that will fit into the space of one of the hex aquariums and not have to find space for a second hex.

What would you all suggest please.....go for the acrylic or stick with what I know works perfectly fine?

I'se confuzzled & bamboozled.... thanks in advance

 

I would advise not buying special shaped aquariums like octogonal or hex

 

I would advise not buying special shaped aquariums like octogonal or hex

I have two 60 litre hex already and have had no issues, so am intrigued as to why you would not recommend....?

 

I have two 60 litre hex already and have had no issues, so am intrigued as to why you would not recommend....?

I don't know their reasoning, but I like the shapes, but not how space inefficient they are. I can put s hex in a corner, but an octagon would look really weird and take up more of the room, and less of the corner.
Also, there is the issue of getting replacement parts, and aftermarket, third party parts are made for rectangular tanks, not 5+ sided polygons.
Unless the plan is for a spot specific tank, or a middle of the room, or "coffee table" tank, then the odd shapes root make sense to me personally.

To respond to your original question, I have no idea how much a 135l acrylic tank weighs, but I would error on the side of "probably more than one person can easily, or safely lift."
I would get the 135l, but only of you can get help moving into your house (check the dimensions of the tank and make sure you can fit it into your house.)

My biggest issue is that built in systems break. It seems like they break MORE than the basic systems on normal aquariums. So if you do get one of the custom or semi custom setups, expect everything to break, and look for alternatives that might work.

 

I don't know their reasoning, but I like the shapes, but not how space inefficient they are. I can put s hex in a corner, but an octagon would look really weird and take up more of the room, and less of the corner.
Also, there is the issue of getting replacement parts, and aftermarket, third party parts are made for rectangular tanks, not 5+ sided polygons.
Unless the plan is for a spot specific tank, or a middle of the room, or "coffee table" tank, then the odd shapes root make sense to me personally.

To respond to your original question, I have no idea how much a 135l acrylic tank weighs, but I would error on the side of "probably more than one person can easily, or safely lift."
I would get the 135l, but only of you can get help moving into your house (check the dimensions of the tank and make sure you can fit it into your house.)

My biggest issue is that built in systems break. It seems like they break MORE than the basic systems on normal aquariums. So if you do get one of the custom or semi custom setups, expect everything to break, and look for alternatives that might work.

Thank you for responding, I really like different shaped aquariums, they add interest and although they might be a little more work to keep maintained I think the end result is worth it

The Octagonal is sort of flat, if that makes sense......58cm long x 32 depth x 89 tall...so squished rather than full round per se. It is a lovely aquarium to look at but you have highlighted a concern in the what if things go wrong and needing parts etc....

Tbh I am sliding towards another Aquael hex since I have two already and both have been very easy to work with, maintain and fit perfectly in the space available in my tiny flat

I think some people are put off the weird shapes cos they maybe think they will be harder to maintain, which is understandable I spose, but so far they have been the easiest for me, the only real limitations are the fish due to the Aquael hex being 45cm long x 41 depth x 60 tall and the choice of residents is somewhat limited by that size and shape but not insurmountable.

 

Thank you for responding, I really like different shaped aquariums, they add interest and although they might be a little more work to keep maintained I think the end result is worth it

The Octagonal is sort of flat, if that makes sense......58cm long x 32 depth x 89 tall...so squished rather than full round per se. It is a lovely aquarium to look at but you have highlighted a concern in the what if things go wrong and needing parts etc....

Tbh I am sliding towards another Aquael hex since I have two already and both have been very easy to work with, maintain and fit perfectly in the space available in my tiny flat

I think some people are put off the weird shapes cos they maybe think they will be harder to maintain, which is understandable I spose, but so far they have been the easiest for me, the only real limitations are the fish due to the Aquael hex being 45cm long x 41 depth x 60 tall and the choice of residents is somewhat limited by that size and shape but not insurmountable.

That sounds like a really interesting shape for sure! (The only octagonal tank I ever saw was a 150g "table" one with a 2ft pleco in it lol)

What are the brands of each one?

 

That sounds like a really interesting shape for sure! (The only octagonal tank I ever saw was a 150g "table" one with a 2ft pleco in it lol)

What are the brands of each one?

The octagonal is the Yukon on this manufacturer's site

ACRYLIC - Cleair Aquatics

The Aquael hex is this one...(I have not kept the supplied filter or heater though)

HEXA SET - Aquael

 

The octagonal is the Yukon on this manufacturer's site

ACRYLIC - Cleair Aquatics

The Aquael hex is this one...(I have not kept the supplied filter or heater though)

HEXA SET - Aquael

I've never heard of either, so I can't give feedback on quality.
I was just wondering cause there are some like waterbox with known pump issues.

 

I've never heard of either, so I can't give feedback on quality.
I was just wondering cause there are some like waterbox with known pump issues.

I had not heard of Cleair before finding the aquariums when I was getting a couple of sundries for my other aquariums a couple weeks ago. They are way more expensive than the Aquael...not surprising really since the Cleair is over double the water capacity....the Cleair is 399 plus pallet delivery and the Aquael with its stand is around 160 with free delivery by courier to the door.

I think it was the shape that attracted my attention on the Cleair since I have only seen the more rounded octagons, as per the one you mentioned above. The squished one seems easier to fit where space is limited....its the cost, the getting from the curb into the flat and the potential spares issues that I have doubts about.

 

I had not heard of Cleair before finding the aquariums when I was getting a couple of sundries for my other aquariums a couple weeks ago. They are way more expensive than the Aquael...not surprising really since the Cleair is over double the water capacity....the Cleair is 399 plus pallet delivery and the Aquael with its stand is around 160 with free delivery by courier to the door.

I think it was the shape that attracted my attention on the Cleair since I have only seen the more rounded octagons, as per the one you mentioned above. The squished one seems easier to fit where space is limited....its the cost, the getting from the curb into the flat and the potential spares issues that I have doubts about.

It sounds like normal stuff would fit, just the lid is the big issue.
If you do get it, I'd leave at least 4" or 5" (about 10 or so cm) behind the tank for an Aquaclear or other HOB to fit. Even if you never plan on using one, it is way better to have the ability to use one, than to HAVE to go out and get a canister filter.
(I have a 60g that I just ran airline to sponge filters, then wanted better mechanical filtration and had to spend $100 or more on building a diy canister bc no HOB fit)

 

It sounds like normal stuff would fit, just the lid is the big issue.
If you do get it, I'd leave at least 4" or 5" (about 10 or so cm) behind the tank for an Aquaclear or other HOB to fit. Even if you never plan on using one, it is way better to have the ability to use one, than to HAVE to go out and get a canister filter.
(I have a 60g that I just ran airline to sponge filters, then wanted better mechanical filtration and had to spend $100 or more on building a diy canister bc no HOB fit)

The space that the aquarium needs to fit will not allow a HOB, very limited space to the rear (basically the aquarium is to site tween wall and headboard and be able to avoid exposed central heating pipes near to the floor), what I am doing though regardless of which aquarium I decide upon is install a Tetra EX600 Plus, as have done on my existing 4 aquariums, along with a JBL S Pro Temp heater........the Aquael and Cleair come with powerhead/drip filtration (which I actually hate) and the Aquael comes with an Aquael Platinum heater which will go into the cupboard as a spare, the Cleair has no heater included so would need to sort that anyway.

The one thing I really like about the Aquael hex is that the hood has a 1" high x 4" long opening tween the hinges at the back which is absolutely perfect for fitting the external filter pipework through along with cables from the heater and light (I also remove the standard bright white lighting from all my aquariums and replace with a Nicrew MCR which I attach to the rim)

As much as the acrylic aquarium looks lovely, I am still very unsure about how to adapt it to what I want it to be like....if that makes sense

 

The space that the aquarium needs to fit will not allow a HOB, very limited space to the rear (basically the aquarium is to site tween wall and headboard and be able to avoid exposed central heating pipes near to the floor), what I am doing though regardless of which aquarium I decide upon is install a Tetra EX600 Plus, as have done on my existing 4 aquariums, along with a JBL S Pro Temp heater........the Aquael and Cleair come with powerhead/drip filtration (which I actually hate) and the Aquael comes with an Aquael Platinum heater which will go into the cupboard as a spare, the Cleair has no heater included so would need to sort that anyway.

The one thing I really like about the Aquael hex is that the hood has a 1" high x 4" long opening tween the hinges at the back which is absolutely perfect for fitting the external filter pipework through along with cables from the heater and light (I also remove the standard bright white lighting from all my aquariums and replace with a Nicrew MCR which I attach to the rim)

As much as the acrylic aquarium looks lovely, I am still very unsure about how to adapt it to what I want it to be like....if that makes sense

It sounds like you want the 2 hex tanks more than the Cleair, since they fit and you have history with them (they honestly sound better to me too, but that is just me).

To throw a monkey wrench into the works, have you considered a plain old rectangular tank? You might (assuming it fits) be able to get a rectangular tank that is bigger than either of the other options for the same or less money. And depending on the equipment that would fit and that you like, you might be able to get a skeletal metal stand that would let you straddle those heating pipes. It may or may not work, and it sounds like you really enjoy the hex tanks, but getting a "normal" big tank might let you get a new type of fish you couldn't have before.

If you did get a rectangular tank, you might ask a local welder what fabricating a nice stand would run. I doubt it would be as much as the stand from a store (the lfs around here charges like $150 for a 60g stand!)

 

I am leaning towards the Aquael tbh....as you rightly say, they are something I have had and have got, so quite familiar to me in regard to setting up etc

The Aquael comes with its own stand...these are my two current Aquael's (one in the lounge alongside my Ciano Aqua 80)

The stand is £52 and the aquarium £129





If I had a larger room or flat I would go with a larger acrylic....I guess its a case of being wary of the unknown....I really like the acrylic aquarium setup.....but.....

 

I am leaning towards the Aquael tbh....as you rightly say, they are something I have had and have got, so quite familiar to me in regard to setting up etc

The Aquael comes with its own stand...these are my two current Aquael's (one in the lounge alongside my Ciano Aqua 80)

The stand is £52 and the aquarium £129

View attachment 782044View attachment 782045

If I had a larger room or flat I would go with a larger acrylic....I guess its a case of being wary of the unknown....I really like the acrylic aquarium setup.....but.....

I mean, you COULD chop out the closet and replace the 80l with a nice 300g... lol

Off topic, but I live in California, and those hex stands look like earthquake magnets! I don't think you guys have that issue much across the Pond, but it sure would make a mess...

 

The "letterbox" space tween the hood and body of the aquarium on the back of the Aquael makes external filter installation very easy....another reason why I am leaning towards it and maybe getting an acrylic is/when I have more room

 

The "letterbox" space tween the hood and body of the aquarium on the back of the Aquael makes external filter installation very easy....another reason why I am leaning towards it and maybe getting an acrylic is/when I have more room

View attachment 782047

That is honestly the point I have gotten to. When I graduate, I plan on moving and then I will be able to have a whole shelf system of tanks and auto WC and a pond or two of turtles and gymnogeophagus and guppies! (not mixed of course). No way I could do that here, but once I own a few acres, then I can start digging and building, and undoubtedly buying other random things for other random hobbies lol.

 

I mean, you COULD chop out the closet and replace the 80l with a nice 300g... lol

Off topic, but I live in California, and those hex stands look like earthquake magnets! I don't think you guys have that issue much across the Pond, but it sure would make a mess...

I would love to remove the cupboard, seriously I would but sadly the flat I live in is rented and the landlord might be a little bit upset if I did lol

We do have the occasional teeny weeny quake here, usually when heavy trucks go by but sometimes a quake of around 2.5 on the richter scale....not enough to make a ripple in the aquariums thankfully

That is honestly the point I have gotten to. When I graduate, I plan on moving and then I will be able to have a whole shelf system of tanks and auto WC and a pond or two of turtles and gymnogeophagus and guppies! (not mixed of course). No way I could do that here, but once I own a few acres, then I can start digging and building, and undoubtedly buying other random things for other random hobbies lol.

Nothing wrong with having hopes and dreams to work towards, I am sure you will reach yours if determined enough

My first fish experience was a goldie won at the fair with my dad when I was 7 or 8 years old....several decades later, still learning, still seriously affected by MTS and wishing I could have many many big aquariums.....

 

I think the biggest I have been through was 6.3 or 6.4. Nothing fell out of cupboards, but it is really weird waking up to the bed under you moving VIOLENTLY lol (but that wasn't here is Cali, that was when I lived in Tonga)

 

I think the biggest I have been through was 6.3 or 6.4. Nothing fell out of cupboards, but it is really weird waking up to the bed under you moving VIOLENTLY lol (but that wasn't here is Cali, that was when I lived in Tonga)

I know that feeling actually, obviously nothing as strong as the quake you experienced but waking up in the middle of the night convinced something was under the bed and moving it and absolutely terrified to look under there to see.......then the radio saying we had had a 3.2 quake about 40 miles away from where I live......I do not think I could deal with a larger quake tbh, the little dinky one scared the wotsits out of me lol