Aquariums, Tanks – Acrylic Or Glass The Choice Is Yours
If you have been thinking about acquiring a pet fish for your home or office then you have definitely been thinking about some sort of aquatic tank to put the fish in. Right. The type of aquarium you purchase, glass or acrylic, will make all the difference. Whether you select glass aquariums or acrylic tanks there are some differences that you need to be aware of.
Acrylic aquarium positives
- Crystal clear clarity
- Stronger than glass for less chance of breaking
- Many shapes are available for that extra touch in the home or office
- Lightweight to cause less stress on stands
- Crack proof
- Won’t leak
- Holes may be cut into them to accommodate the addition of accessories
- Better insulation than glass
- More commonly available for delivery from online stores
Cons of Acrylic Aquariums
- Very pricey
- They scratch very easily
- Repairs are difficult
- Visual distortion can be an issue
- Over time acrylic can change to a slight yellow color
With Acrylic you have more selections when it comes to personalosed work since it can be formed into pretty much any shape you can think of. They can be great decoration and conversational pieces, however if you have fish the complex shapes may not be the prime purchase for you, as they have less air to water ratio (surface air) than glass and the fish may suffocate.
For this reason your choice of fish tank supplies need to be specificly picked out for your application so your pets stay healthy.
If once you have your tank full, and you don’t think you’ll need to be moving it alot, the glass aquarium could be a better deal for you. As it will not yellow or scratch over time. It will also be cheaper on the bank account than what a comparable acrylic tank would be.
The glass tanks are more breakable than the acrylic aquariums, however if you keep your aquarium out of the mainstream of traffic in your home or office, this should not cause an issue. Glass will only shatter if you hit it forcefully or run into it accidentally, after all.
Pros for Glass Aquariums
- Many sizes and shapes available
- Last for many years if looked after
- Very wear resistant to scratches
- Less cost than acrylic
- Will not discolor
- Extra support or bracing is not needed
- Very popular
Disadvantages of Glass Tanks
- Heavier than acrylic, so needs a stand to take its weight
- Easily breakable
- Hard to add holes for accessory additions
- Hard to move when full with water, rock, etc.
- Limited on customizations
- Less insulated than acrylic
- Not as readily available from online distributors due to its fragility
With the many differently odd shaped acrylic aquarium tanks on the market, you will be able to find a great conversation piece for your room. But remember to take your pets needs into consideration by not cluttering the aquarium. As this can and will affect their ability to flourish.
A couple of final things to remember is if you plan on having a lot of stuff like coral, plants, fish or rock in your tank then glass is a excellent choice as it can expand and breath to accommodate the extra weight. The acrylics may bow under too much pressure, wherein the glass will only expand and breath to facilitate the added weight.
Just remember the most important thing is the condition of your fish or pets. Keep that in mind and you will get many enjoyable years out of your marine tank whether it is acrylic or glass.
One choice that is showing to be extremely popular with many new and seasoned aquarists is the biorb fish tank. What makes this a great pick is the fact that it is kind of old school meets new school. It is little enough to fit on top of a desk or shelf but large enough to still be a great center piece in any room.
