Should I get a glass or acrylic aquarium?
Introduction One of the first decisions to make when building an aquarium is whether to go with a glass or acrylic tank. Both options have different pros and cons, and the best one for you is going to depend on a few different things – your personal preference, your budget, and the size of the aquarium. In this article we will analyze the pros and cons of glass and acrylic aquariums.
Understanding the Basics First, let’s establish a few things about glass and acrylic aquariums. Glass aquariums are generally made of silica sand and soda ash to produce transparent, solid material. Acrylic aquariums are made from a plastic called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and have a significant edge over glass aquariums in weight and flexibility.
Pros and Cons of Glass Aquariums
Pros
- Better Scratch Resistance: Unlike acrylic tanks, which are prone to scratching over time, glass tanks typically maintain some clarity since scratches are much less likely to occur with normal usage and cleaning.
- Stability: Glass is very stable, which means it won’t warp/even warp over time. This maintains the shape and physical structure of your aquarium.
- Lower Cost: Glass aquariums are generally less expensive than acrylic aquariums, especially on the larger size.
- Natural Clarity: Glass generally looks more natural, and offers better clarity to view anything you have inside your aquarium, including fish.
Cons
- Weight: Glass aquariums are significantly heavier than acrylic. This makes it more difficult to move, setup, and especially in larger sizes to position it.
- Fragile: Glass is scratch resistant but it would be more likely to break if you dropped in or struck it with something.
- Availability of Shapes: Most glass aquariums conform to your run of the mill rectilinear form and don’t offer the variety of design possibilities.
Pros and Cons of Acrylic Aquariums
Pros
- Lightness: Acrylic is up to 50% lighter in weight than glass. This means that acrylic could be easier to transfer, lift, move, and setup.
- More Shapes: Acrylic can be molded for a variety of shapes, which means you can customize it.
- Better Insolation: Acrylic tanks insulate better than glass tanks, which means they can hold temperature longer and logged less energy and, they more comfortable for your fish.
- Impact Resistance: Acrylic will not break on impact, therefore you no longer have the fear of cracking glass in a house with kids or pets.
Cons
- Scratch Vulnerability: Acrylic is more susceptible to scratching than glass, which can affect visibility over time.
- Cost: Acrylic aquariums tend to be more expensive than glass, especially with larger tanks.
- Yellowing over time: Some acrylic tanks will exhibit a yellowish tint over years, which may affect the aesthetic of your aquarium.
Durability and Long-term use
When considering long-term use, glass aquariums usually have an advantage due to the resistance to scratching and the fact they won’t warp overtime. While acrylic is less durable in terms of scratches, it is less likely to shatter making it a safe option sometimes.
Cost Comparison
In general, glass aquariums are more affordable in general and the larger the size and price difference is typically electrifying, a price often varies quite a bit from brand to brand and size and features of the aquarium, if you’re on a budget then glass may be the better route, if you are looking for a custom shape or lightweight solution where the cost is justifiable then acrylic may be the pricier option to consider.
Maintenance Matters
Both acrylic and glass aquariums require maintenance and upkeep, however the nature of the upkeep varies slightly. Glass is easy to clean without worrying about scratching, acrylic needs more and careful maintenance without damaging it. When maintaining care for acrylic tanks, to maintain your tanks you should be using soft cleaning pads and chemicals that will not alter the acrylic.
Fish Compatibility
You can keep many species of fish in both aquarium types, But if you are considering larger or more active fish then glass will have the advantages of durability. Conversely with acrylic you can house “delicate” fish because of the lower shattering effect of the acrylic but because it is lighter.
Conclusion: Which one should I get?
Ultimately, the decision is a personal one based on your needs and desires. If you want a cost-effective, more durable tank that gives you natural clarity and scratch resistance, then glass is probably your best option. If you want a lighter-weight tank, spanning from custom shapes to less likelihood of breaking, than an acrylic aquarium may be the better route for you. Both of these forms of aquarium can be a nice home for aquatic animals, a well-maintained aquarium will provide pleasure and relaxation, out-of-sight, no matter which one you choose. Think about your budget, tank size, your personal maintenance and your existing situation before ultimately choosing one or the other.
