Chance To Purchase New Tank.

So I'm planning a build for later this year or early next year, and I happened to come across a sale today from my local marine group.

It's a 2008 acrylic 72"x18x24" I believe, about 120 gallons, drilled. It has two openings on top about 30x8 the owner said. The tank itself has seen better days, been sitting for a couple years, and the stand just isn't what I'm looking for, so it will probably become fire wood regardless. He is asking $300 for both.

My question is how does acrylic compare to glass? There is glass 125s on Craigslist in my area in the $200 range. Also, how does acrylic clean up? If I look at it I'm going to make sure there is no deep scratches, but the surface gunk should buff out ok correct?

My thing is, I'm moving this month and I don't plan on really getting into this build until the end of the year, but I was kind of trying to find acrylic for the clarity and insulation properties. It is drilled in the center so that might change my plans a bit, but I think that's negligible so far out from the project.

I was going to try to talk him down to the $200 all things considered, and he is moving as well and needs it gone yesterday so I think I have leverage.

Any thought, comments, suggestions?

 

Hello!

Personally, I much prefer glass aquariums to acrylic unless I'm working in the 100s of gallons. It a lot more sturdy and long lasting, easier to maintain, less scratching and less porous. They are both good, BUT the issue I see with the acrylic tank he has, especially from 2008, is that was been sitting there is it is most likely damaged in the sense that the structural integrity had been compromised from inconsistent weathering (if it's been sitting in a garage or something for awhile) If there's a ton of scratches everywhere, you'll have to worry about getting an even buff and if it's yellow, it's probably not true acrylic. If you find clouded spots on the acrylic/signs of stress on corners/welded bits, you'll need to go in and reinforce it with doweling which is a bit annoying if you aren't familiar with it. On the idea of pores, you can't be sure to what chemicals it has been exposed to, and if they've been in there long enough, you really can't get them out and it'll harm fish. Plus, who knows if it holds water (even if they say they do..I've been duped before) and you can't check unless you buy it (unless the guy is cool and fills it up)

Tbh, I'd go for the glass aquarium (unless it's really messed up or something) as it probably a lot safer than a 8-9 year old tank that's been sitting around. And you can always silicone it if it needs it. The acrylic seems a bit too risky for me, especially at 125g. Now if the acrylic was well taken care for that duration, or if you wanted to have a project to work on; that would be a different story and by all means get it! It really is your choice in the end

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

Let's try this

It's definitely dirty, he says it's cleaner that pictures, but at the very least I'd be looking at a week of work plus the purchase of polishing and buffing compounds, and I was thinking cleaning the top and bottom corners would be tough. I do like the almost completely open top on the glass tanks as well, give me much more accessibility and options for set up.

Idk how long it has sat at least a few years, and the glass ones do look way better as far as condition. I just know acrylic is usually a fair bit more expensive and it seemed like I could have some leverage in negotiations so I was considering it, as I said I really don't need it. It would actually be a hassle to get right now but if the price was right...lol

Thanks for the tips

 

Oi. Talk about elbow grease! It may not be that bad, but definetly check the bond points. Looks like it'll be a fun project

 

Ya, maybe I'll just hold off. Acrylic tanks I've seen seems to go about $500-800 for 150-180 in my area, so at 200-300 it'd be a steal.

I wouldn't mind the work making it my own, but boy would that be work. I'd also have to find a truck big enough (most have 6' bed so it might not fit since most beds have liners) and then 2-3 people to help me move it. Then explain to my new roommate why half his garage or half a basent room is filled with a trashed tank. Lol

Ahh patience is a virtue in fish keeping, just working a lot of ot and have money burning a hole in my pocket. Lol

 

You know, I would check an LFS on a new tank. Bring my LFS has 100 gallons at $260 with glass top... I am not sure I would buy used for more. This is an ad (and one of my main 3):



To me cleaning and testing something that could do home damage is just a no...

 

Unfortunately I was at my LFS today and they want about $370 for a new 125 glass tank alone.

I can buy a used glass for 150-200 so less than half price, I was just willing to pay a bit extra for acrylic. I'll probably end up waiting since it really is a gamble as dirty as this one is.