The Pros And Cons Of Having A Glass Or Acrylic Fish Tank
Most modern fish tanks and aquariums are made of acrylic, principally due to the fact that acrylic is softer and more flexible than glass and can be easily moulded and formed into a wide variety of shapes. Glass aquariums have a tendency to be rectangular in shape due to the rigidity of glass. It is also possible to cut thru acrylic to provide a filter overflow system, but this is not possible in a glass aquarium. Although a firm glass aquarium has the advantage of requiring less structural support.
An acrylic aquarium will require an aquarium stand to support the base of the tank from collapsing beneath the weight of the water. There are many types of aquarium stands available in various sizes and shapes to fit the modern and varied designs of acrylic aquariums. Otherwise, 1 or 2 acrylic fish tanks are made with a substantially thicker acrylic bottom than the rest of the aquarium so that an aquarium stand isn't required.
An acrylic aquarium gives a clearer view of the inside of the fish tank as it doesn't refract light as much as glass, when light passes thru water. Acrylic also has a transparency rating of 93% which is better than the standard of viewing supplied by a glass aquarium. The biggest problem cited against an acrylic aquarium is it is so easily scratched. Acrylic can be scratched by a person's clothing or bag brushing against it, whereas glass is extraordinarily tricky to scratch. To deal with this, there are acrylic polishing kits which can simply buff out the scratches on the outside of the tank. (They cannot be used within the aquarium because of dangerous remainder). It is very important to use acrylic safe tools when cleaning your aquarium and to guarantee you don't pick up any pieces of gravel in the pad when scrubbing the inside.
Other points to consider are the significantly lighter weight of an acrylic aquarium as opposed to a glass one, which make it much more lightweight, and the additional strength of acrylic. Acrylic also insulates 20% better than glass which decreases temperature fluctuations, maintaining a more stable environment for fish. It's important to note that acrylic is inflammable so don't set burning candles on or near an acrylic aquarium.
There are benefits and disadvantages with both acrylic and glass aquariums and it relies on the aquarist to weigh up the benefits and drawbacks. You will however , find that the bulk of aquariums are now acrylic and if you'd like an aquarium that is any shape, other than oblong, you'll have to selected an acrylic option.
Jill Kaestner writes about the benefits of acrylic aquariums which can on occasion be obviously seen in a fish tank table. The inventive BiOrb fish tanks also you acrylic which has proved to be the better of the two materials.
