Should I Go For Acrylic Tanks?

dingweding · Dec 7, 2011

Well, I need to move house again soon :-(

which will be pain as I have 3 big tanks. So I am seriously considering buy some acrylic tanks.
I know it is easy to scratch, but it is strong and light, I do not need to worry so much if I move.

I also notice they are very expensive, on ebay I can get a 300L tank around £150, including filter etc... but I seldom see people sell second hand acrylic tanks,
new ones will be even more expensive, I contacted someone who can make the tank, he told me a 300L acrylic tank will cost at least £600, and that is just
the tank, nothing else include :sad:

Fishy friend2 · Dec 7, 2011

IMO I would choose glass over Acrylic

onidrase · Dec 7, 2011

Acrylic really isn't worth it. You can scratch that stuff with a finger nail. said scratches are repairable, but that's just more maintenance that is really unnecessary. Acrylic is only more expensive than glass because it costs a load to ship acrylic without damaging the product. If you think it's worth it because it's lighter and such, go for it, but it's really a preference thing, both glass and acrylic have ups and downs. imo, glass is better, but it's ultimately up to you.

Fishy friend2 · Dec 7, 2011

onidrase said:
Acrylic really isn't worth it. You can scratch that stuff with a finger nail. said scratches are repairable, but that's just more maintenance that is really unnecessary. Acrylic is only more expensive than glass because it costs a load to ship acrylic without damaging the product. If you think it's worth it because it's lighter and such, go for it, but it's really a preference thing, both glass and acrylic have ups and downs. imo, glass is better, but it's ultimately up to you.

+1 i agree with what onidrase said

Tizer · Dec 8, 2011

Acrylic is excellent to work with, you can be far more imaginative with your own tank build, if you are capable of building them yourself, also, it is cheaper than glass, if you buy it from the right places and very few people have the tools to work with glass. However, as mentioned, they scratch very easily, i've never felt entirely comfortable with the bonded seals on them myself, much prefer a load of silicone smeared inside. Best thing to do, is stick with glass and make a few friends who will happily help you move stuff