If you have been planning on getting yourself a marine tank full of fish for the home or office you should take a few things into consideration. The style of aquarium you buy, glass or acrylic, will make all the difference. The selection you make will definitely effect the well being of your fish.
Some Advantages of Acrylic
- Higher clarity
- Stronger and more rigid than glass
- Greater choice of styles allowing for more personalised work
- Very light in comparison to glass
- The chances of acrylic breaking is almost zero
- Resistant to leaking
- Easy to modify to allow for extra equipment
- Higher insulation compared to glass
- More commonly available online compared to glass
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
More selections are attainable with acrylic because it is easier to manufacture or mold than glass. They can be great decorative and conversational pieces, however if you have fish the fancy shapes may not be the prime purchase for you, as they have less air to water ratio (surface air) than glass and the fish can suffocate.
For this reason your choice of fish tank supplies need to be correctly selected for your application so your pets stay healthy.
If you are plannig to keep your marine tank for a long time glass could be a great option for you. As it will not change color or scratch over time. It will also be easier on the wallet than what a comparable acrylic tank would be.
Now as mentioned before glass is more susceptible to breaking than acrylic is but in reality it is still very strong. And unless you throw yourself or something else at it, it’s not going to break on you.
Some Advantages for Glass
- Many sizes and shapes available
- Last for many years if looked after
- Is very wear proof to scratches
- Less cost than acrylic
- Will not change color
- Extra support or bracing is not required
- Very popular
Glass Aquarium Negatives
- Heavier than acrylic, so needs a stand to hold its weight
- Easily breakable
- Not easy to drill 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 marine tanks on the market, you should be able to find a great conversation piece for your room. Just remember to take your pets needs into consideration by not cluttering the fish tank. Because this can and will affect their ability to flourish.
If you decide to add a lot of decorations or rock or plants to your tank then glass is a good choice. The acrylics can bow under too much pressure, wherein the glass will only expand and breath to facilitate the extra weight.
Now 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 aquariums tanks whether it is acrylic or glass.
Another choice that is proving to be very popular with many new and seasoned hobbyists is the biorb fish tank. What makes this a good choice is the fact that it is kind of old school meets new school. It is small enough to fit on top of a desk or shelf but large enough to still be a great center piece for any room.
Tags: Aquariums tanks, biorb fish tank, fish tank aquariums, fish tank supplies