Acrylic Tank Vs. Glass Tank Questions

[bobcatman]

I've had glass tanks before that are 10 gallons. I'm looking to get a 30-40 gallon tank and I'm debating between an acrylic or glass tank. I keep going back and forth between glass and acrylic. Researching on this forum and the 'net, I've figured out that I really like acrylic's lighter weight and durabilty, but I like glass's classic look and non-scratchability.

I am concerned about acrylic's ease of scratching. All the acrylic tanks I've seen have scratches at least at the bottom of the tank at the substrate level. I'm assuming the scratches come when the gravel is being vaccumed out or being moved around. Is there a way to remove these scratches on the inside of the tank without completely emptying its contents? I understand there are products/techniques to remove scratches on the outside of the tank. Anyone try these? Do they work?

Living in the San Francisco Bay area, I do live in an area that has earthquakes frequently. Small earthquakes happen all the time, but most are not felt by people. I only feel a good sized one worth mentioning maybe once every 2 or 3 years. Acrylic should be better able to handle the mini earthquakes and larger earthquakes better than glass. Do the stresses caused by minor earthquakes cause a cumulative effect of damage to glass tanks. If anyone else lives in earthquake country, I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on glass tanks and experienced any issues with their tanks.

If you had to buy a new 30-40 gallon tank, would you buy a glass or acrylic tank? Why?

thanks in advance!

 

[shang hi]

well acrilic is up to 10 times stronger than glass, but very easy to scratch. i think getting a 100% level surface than wont buckle in an earthquake (like a solid concreat floor) is very important. also a not too tall tank would also reduce the chances of it topling over, a good set of wall suports attatched to the strong points in the wall can suport a good sized tank they will also help it to stop topling in an earth quake. ill look into some things i've heard of, they cut off when theres to much movement (like in an earthquake) and will restart if the current is normal after a few hours of non shaking, these would be a good idea as the shaking caused by a earthquake would stop the eletricals in the tank meaning if water spills onto them they dont become dangerious and potentualy leathal.

ill have a deeper look into the "cut off's" for you and ill post what i find later.
shang hi

 

[bobcatman]

I visited two LFS's yesterday and compared glass and acrylic tanks. After looking at the acrylic tanks and their scratches, I've decided to go with glass. Acrylic is probably better for earthquake country, but with my clumsy hands I'll probably end up scratching it up too much. Thanks for the info and support.

 

[shang hi]

I visited two LFS's yesterday and compared glass and acrylic tanks. After looking at the acrylic tanks and their scratches, I've decided to go with glass. Acrylic is probably better for earthquake country, but with my clumsy hands I'll probably end up scratching it up too much. Thanks for the info and support.

glass does look better my 180l tanks glass (1.2cm think though) so its good and strong. but i do like my acrilic biOrb but yes, scratches are easly ocured