Aquatasy - Glass or Acrylic? - A Guide to Choosing Your Next Aquarium

Glass tanks or Acrylic tanks? How do you know which is better for you? Well, Aquatasy is here to help you out! This guide will give you a run down of the pros & cons of each type of aquarium, plus a little history behind the popularity of these two aquarium materials.
Blessings to you!
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[@dgrant591]

I've never heard it mentioned anywhere but one advantage to acrylic is it stands up to an earthquake. I know this because I live in Northern Calif. and the last 6.0 quake blasted my glass tank, (a 180) but my acrylic 180 lived through it. It almost danced off the stand but it survived.

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you so much for bringing that up! I too live in Northern California. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I can't believe I forgot to mention that. Yes, acrylic tanks on average are much better equipped to withstand the vibrations cause by earthquakes. And yeah, that 6.0 quake was a scary one. Thanks again for chiming in and adding some great information to the discussion. I truly appreciate it.

[@gorgar6059]

Good point. Acrylic panels have much higher factor of safty. Glass panels are designed for maximum inner forces they can withstand. For glass maximum stress is ~30-40MPa, and are commonly are designed to withstand 10MPa. So safety factor is x3-x4. For acrylic panels it is completely different story. Acrylics are designed to withstand maximum deformation (not force). In public aquariums panel's maximum deformation usually is set to be 1/300 of shorter side. That means that in you have panel 600x300cm required maximum deformation is 1cm. To achieve this panel must be about 15cm thick. When you calculate inner forces you get ~3.5-4MPa while maximum for acrylics is 70-100MPa. That means that acrylic panels in public aquariums have at least x20 safty factor! :)

[@Aquatasy]

Excellent information! This is why I say I have the very best viewers on KZbin. Thanks for posting this info!

[@donbacker9883]

I lived in Canoga Park at the time of the Northridge quake (as the crow flies, about 10 miles from the epicenter.) I had 3 glass and 1 acrylic. Lost 'em all. However, glad to hear yours stayed on the stand during the quake you endured 👍👍👍Good call. All of mine, stands and all, ended up in pieces 🙁 That was a bad week lol

[@MrWells-km5cp]

good to know. Glad you are ok playa

[@ADUAquascaping]

Awesome editing man. That takes some work for sure. I built an acrylic and it was clear, but U quickly went back to glass. They just scratch too easily. Really not worth it for me. Thanks for the share man.

[@raushanlaldas8378]

Thanks for making all videos. My concept regarding both types of aquarium is crystal clear now👌🙂

[@lizac8600]

This video was just perfection! I didnt think I'd enjoy a video about tanks as much as I did! Entertaining and informative. Many videos tend to just go on and on and complicate things that arent complicated. This was straight to point and easily understood for many newcomers in the hobby, I'm sure! 🙌👍 Thank you for making this great video

[@Aquatasy]

You are so welcome, Liza! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed this video. What I strive to do with Aquatasy is to make entertaining videos that break things down into easily understandable term, demystify aspects of the hobby that bewilder some people, and hopefully provide a few laughs along the way. With this video I tried to be as unbiased as I could regarding the glass vs. acrylic debate. My personal preference is glass, but I absolutely see the benefits of acrylic for other people. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I truly do appreciate it. Don't be a stranger. I hope you check out the other videos on this channel and share your thoughts on them as well. Blessings to you!

[@nurzrachit7133]

That was done quite well, thank you very much. I believe you covered the entire gammit of pros and cons. That was impressive.

[@Aquatasy]

Thanks! I tried to cover as much as possible and to do it without much bias. It's something I get asked about a lot and there simply is no "one size fits all" answer. I wanted to supply enough information that people who watch this video can make an easier decision. Glad you liked it. More videos like this coming soon!

[@Paquidermo00]

Acrylic is like an HD version of your tank. too easy to scratch? well it's not going to scratch itself, just be careful

[@Aquatasy]

Ha ha! Yes, you are so right, Daniel. Acrylic tanks aren't going to scratch themselves. Well said. Thanks for chiming in and leaving a comment.

[@elizaeliza5937]

Your right but if your like me where you are housing an aquatic turtle than you will know that while the tank and yourself may not cause scratches. The turtle inhabitants will be pleased as punch to scratch all day long at the sides as they swim towards the sides or dig and shift substrate around on the bottom. GLASS ALL THE WAY FOR ME!!! :)

[@mozarth]

I assume you don't have a red devil or another fish that bangs on the tank walls with quarter sized rocks.

[@MrWells-km5cp]

besides just get some homies that enjoy algae and what is there to clean? lol a little algae never hurt anybody lmao I MUST SCRAPE IT OFF NOW jajaja chill bro chillllll

[@rockfella27]

HD version that fades with time!

[@yangnell7800]

Very helpful and professional. I will show to our customers when they purchasing. Thank you for this great video.

[@Aquatasy]

You are so very welcome! I'm delighted to know that this video was so helpful for you. Tell me more about your business.

[@ReeferGil]

That was absolutely awesome. Love your videos.

[@Aquatasy]

I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed it. It was an interesting video to produce. And I literally got the idea for this video while at the grocery store checkout stand.

[@OceanTruth]

Awesome vid you put together! Very enjoyable to watch. For me, I'd use glass for planted tanks or a tank with a lot of hardscape. If it's fish only with minimal hardscape, then it's acrylic all the way.

[@Aquatasy]

Your criteria for choosing glass or acrylic makes perfect sense. I think another reason I lean so much towards glass tanks is because I love planted aquariums. If I was keeping large cichlids I'd probably go with acrylic.

[@dontreply8346]

Great video, especially loved the historical aspect.

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you, Lex! I thought it was important to put everything into some sort of historical context before discussing the pros & cons of glass and acrylic. Glad you liked the video. Hope you'll check out the rest of the channel. So...what's your preference? Glass or acrylic?

[@debrabelton3161]

Thank you for this video. I too want to do planted aquariums and have had both glass and acrylic tanks. In fact I set up a small ten gallon for my grandson. I'm brand new to aquascaping and you answered my questions about the ada tanks. There's no reason not to have both, a smaller glass tank for my bedroom and a larger acrylic one for the family room were the grandkids hangout!

[@Aquatasy]

I'm so glad this video was helpful to you, Debra. This is exactly why I do what I do and why the Aquatasy channel exists. I agree with you that both glass and acrylic aquariums have their place in this hobby. It's very smart of you to have the glass tank in your bedroom, away from where the grandkids might play, and the acrylic tank in the family room where a stray toy might accidentally go flying. LOL! If you are interested in learning more about aquascaping be sure to check out my video "Aquascaping the Aqueon LED 16 Widescreen - Hardscape - The Thailand Project Part 1". Here is a link to it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZybgIWNoa2oj7c Part 2 (planting the tank) is in production now. Thanks for leaving a comment. I truly appreciate it!

[@careyjohnston4176]

So very helpful. Thank you so much.

[@noellawu1154]

Wow, I feel like watching history. The history of aquarium, that is. Very informative, thank you, sir.

[@Aquatasy]

So happy you enjoyed this, Noella. I've always believed that if you are going to give a bit of a history lesson you have to make it fun. All through grade school and high school I dreaded History classes because they were so boring. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized the reason. Most history lessons focus on what happened, when it happened, where it happened, who it happened to or with, and how it happened. But when discussing any historical topic the most important thing is WHY. Why did it happen? So that's what I always try to focus on when doing a video like this. (A little bit of humor helps as well.) Glad you liked this video. Hope you'll keep watching the Aquatasy channel. Blessings to you!

[@noellawu1154]

@@Aquatasy Haha.. I do enjoy history, though. But I glad that you make this video and I get to learn something new. Still, I much prefer to get a glass aquarium because like you, I'm a klutz too. My trouble is I always get new aquarium ( already have 3 just keep 1 fish) . Maybe I should just get a big one this time but I don't know if it suitable for a Betta. What do you think?

[@Aquatasy]

Bettas can do quite well in larger aquariums. There is a myth that because bettas are often found in shallow waters in the wild that they need or prefer small tanks or bowls. This is simply not the case. Small tanks in the range of 1 to 5 gallons can make an excellent home for a betta, however they will also thrive in a much larger tank. I have a female betta (you'll spot her in my videos) in a 16 gallon community aquarium. I've also kept male bettas in 20 gallon tanks. I know plenty of hobbyists who kept a betta in a 55 gallon community with other compatible fish. Of greater concern than tank size when it comes to bettas is the strength of the water flow. If the current of the water in your tank is too strong it can damage the fins of a male betta. You also want to make sure the betta has a few hiding places in a large tank. They may never use them, but it comforts them to know they are there. And always make sure your betta can easily get to the surface of the water if it wants to grab a gulp of air. How big a tank were you thinking of getting?

[@noellawu1154]

@@Aquatasy I got a 5 gallons tank but I still not satisfy with it ( I'm quite greedy ) A very small aquarium, a 3 gallons tank. I'm thinking of getting rid of the small aquariums since the tanks are small.

[@Aquatasy]

There is a lot you can do with a small tank. I have a 5 gallon tank on my desk that I absolutely love. I used it as a challenge to myself to aquascape it in such a way that it looks larger than it actually it. It is going to be my "India only" aquarium with all the fish, plants, and invertebrates originating from the country of India. So far it is home to five Zebra Danios and one Black Racer Nerite Snail. You can see it near the end of this video which I shot before he fish were added to it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJeXc2x-h8uLgbM

[@dmichaelsfishden]

Wow - great aquarium history. Didn't know our hobby had been around since 1840. Nice vid!

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you for the compliments. This was a fun video to produce, especially researching the history of aquariums. Before I started I had a general idea of how far back the hobby dated to, but it was interesting to learn the specifics. I've got more videos like this in the works now so I hope you'll keep watching Aquatasy!

[@dmichaelsfishden]

I will be tuned in!

[@freshfalcon3996]

Very great video. Thank you for posting.

[@Aquatasy]

+Fresh Falcon You are so welcome. Happy to know you enjoyed it. Hope you'll stick around for more.

[@kiraandreola8274]

You likely aren't monitoring the comments anymore so this is mostly for others considering acrylic vs glass takes. For me and my family, acrylic is the best bet. I have a 4 year old. He likes to throw things around and I don't want one wayward toy he lobbed to shatter my aquarium and flood the room with 30 gallons of water. Despite the heart-stopping moment, I want to be able to breathe a sigh of relief when I see the tank is only scratched. Not shattered with 30 gallons of water, glass shards, and our fish flopping around our living room. Acrylic is the safest bet for my family. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@Aquatasy]

That is an excellent point, Kira! I touched on how less likely acrylic is to shatter when struck by an object, but I'm glad you brought up the subject of toddlers and their toys. I have a daughter and son of my own (who are now 22 and 17 respectively) so I should have remembered to mention the idea of small kids flinging their toys around or banging on the glass. It is nothing short of a miracle that my son (who shot the opening and closing of this video for me) didn't break my glass tanks when he was young. He was definitely like your son at that age. Now he's Mr. Mellow and takes exceptionally good care of his own fish tank (he also currently has the largest tank in the house which you can see in another video called "Someone Gets A New Aquarium"). Thank you so much for bringing up the topic of small children and safety. I truly appreciate it. And *surprise*! I still read all the comments left on all my videos. Blessings to you!

[@kiraandreola8274]

Aquatasy Thanks tons for the reply! ^_^ I hope to be able to get back into the hobby soon. New subscriber here!

[@Aquatasy]

Thank *you* for watching, commenting, and subscribing! I hope when you get back in the hobby that you'll post some videos of your tank(s).

[@chynesteban3309]

Very good, nice way to give the facts. This makes easy for me to choose glass. I am considering under 50 gallon fish tank. Thank you for sharing.

[@Aquatasy]

+Jose Gamez I'm so glad this was a helpful video for you, Jose. I try to make my video fun while still being informative. Hope you'll keep watching and commenting.

[@chynesteban3309]

Thank you, you are one of the few to answer, but you are the only one to answer that fast. That tells me a lot a bout you. Thank you very much

[@Aquatasy]

I have this channel and I make these videos to help and entertain my fellow fish tank hobbyists. This hobby and the KZbin community built up around it have been such a blessing to me that I feel I need to give back and be a blessing to others. I hope that's what I've done for you.

[@FlakRioter]

I use glass. they are the most common ones found at thrift shops. I once found an 80ish gallon tank for $23 at a goodwill. never have I ever gone into a goodwill and not seen at least one 10 gallon fish tank. best part, if a panel cracks spare glass is really cheap from breaking down other aquariums

[@Aquatasy]

That's actually a very good point about the spare glass. I should have mentioned that (or gone into more detail about it) in the video. It is relatively inexpensive to replace a broken panel on a glass tank. And you're right, almost every thrift shop seems to have at least one 10 gallon tank in their store. Thanks for commenting!

[@samuelcruz9755]

FlakRioter good damn find

[@diorossorozco9558]

Nice, you hit the jackpot there m8

[@hallestrausser9189]

Thanks for the awesome informative video!!!

[@Aquatasy]

+Halle Strausser You are very welcome, Halle! I am so glad this was helpful to you. I have more videos like this on the way. I hope you'll keep watching Aquatasy.

[@TheDowntown02]

My first acrylic en route! 240 gal. Can't wait!!!

[@Aquatasy]

That's very exciting! What are you going to keep in that new tank?

[@therick2325]

Awesome video good sir

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you, Rick! I try my best to make something interesting, entertaining, and helpful.

[@bgs9man]

Great Video and Information!

[@Aquatasy]

Glad you enjoyed it and hope it was helpful to you. If you get a chance I hope you'll check out some of the other videos on this channel and let me know what you think.

[@GNJsAquaticNation]

Great video and for me it is always based on price and what the use will be. For my breeding tank there all glass. And well most of the show tanks are also. But I do own one acrylic tank. And i needed a weight saving tank for where it is placed so that worked out. But I prefer glass in the long run. But we both have the same favorite tanks but also currently out of my price range. Nicely done :)

[@Aquatasy]

Totally agree with you, Glen. I used to always have one acrylic tank along with a bunch of glass aquariums. Thanks for the compliments and thanks for watching!

[@Fish4Ever]

Nice video! Love the introduction and editing of course! I personally prefer glass, because I feel like it's easier to clean. But I love the look of both :)

[@Aquatasy]

Thanks for the compliments! I agree with your choice, by the way. I don't have to be so darned careful when cleaning a glass tank. And like you, I enjoy the look of both aquarium materials.

[@slickchick5811]

My biggest issue with glass is the weight. But for long term clarity it isn't close. Acrylic scratches in the stupidest of ways. How can you clean or maintain a tank without touching it? Especially a big one?

[@dapali123]

I had glass and acrylic, prefer acrylic.I do agree the acrylic aquarium is easier to scratch then glass aquarium but doesn't scratch that easy. So I prefer acrylic tanks which apart of "easy to scratch then glass" have no faults.The today acrylic is much more better and stronger then 1970's. If I have to choose a glass tumbler drinking water over acrylic tumbler which it is heavy used and manipulate every day....I will go glass. An aquarium for me have to be a master piece and a pleasant feature, an important point in the room.Also depends on the budget or fish you are interested to keep. Acrylic is more expensive but worth every penny imo.

[@Aquatasy]

+Dan Dordai Very well stated, Dan. And you are correct, the quality of acrylic as a material is much more durable today than it was when acrylic tanks first hit the market. So that aspect, although still a factor to consider, has definitely improved over the years. Sadly, what hasn't changed much since the 1970s is the price point. Adjusting for inflation, acrylic aquariums as still about the same cost to consumers as they were back in the day. Yet, as you say, you get what you pay for. Because although acrylic aquariums continue to have a high price tag, their quality and value have increased since their introduction to the market.

[@slickchick5811]

There is one major weakness of acrylic. BOWING. The base is 'weak' because of the fusion into one piece. It also makes for restricted access up top because bracing is needed. The bottom must be supported completely where U can have an open stand for glass (Glass doesn't bow) and the weight is distributed on the edges. Both glass and acrylic get really thick above 24" height because pressure goes up geometrically in taller tanks. And don't get sucker fish in acrylic tanks! Worse than a circle saw.

[@Aquatasy]

That is an excellent point! Thank you for bringing that up.

[@Sammys4ever]

@@slickchick5811 Not true. I know first hand that glass does bow. I had a 55 gallon with Discus and it bowed so much that the middle brace broke and I could see the bow in the glass.

[@timelessvickdamone]

Great video!

[@Aquatasy]

+Timeless Vick Thank you very much. I figured it was a topic worth covering and I wanted to do it in both an informative and entertaining way. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@etienneedward4449]

Love the video thank you so much and The Classy Touch of this video is the Three Stooges that was truly beautiful classic humor thank you again

[@Aquatasy]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I hope it was helpful to you. Couldn't help using that Three Stooges clip to illustrate a point. I love the Three Stooges. I sneak them into my Aquatasy videos whenever I can. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!

[@arun9606]

I liked the presentation, the way video was made.. content was rich too, nice :)

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you very much for the compliments. I try to make sure that the information I present is done so in an entertaining manner.

[@DylanTommyNaturalAquatics]

Great work!, Thank YOU!

[@ErikBarcelo]

I like acrylic better

[@Aquatasy]

Thanks! So happy you enjoyed it.

[@Aquatasy]

Erik Barcelo Cool! What makes you prefer acrylic? Any specific reasons?

[@ErikBarcelo]

I love that it is light weight for one. Two unlike glass you never have to worry about breakage for a drunk family member to temperature flux that can stress the glass to break. And scratches are easier to fix. The cons to it is the price and stubborn alage like bba is just the worst to rid of in acrylic tanks.

[@801tank104]

Agreed those ADA rimless tanks are beautiful

[@Aquatasy]

And one day, David, I will have one. One day...(if my wife lets me).

[@lilyedgar4218]

Watched 2 of your vids so far, this one being one of them & the other was the fungus among us lol 😂! Had to subscribe because you’re like a fun bubbly teacher that doesn’t bore you to death 💀. I’m excited to go through your vids to see which subjects you’re discussing that I’m going through like the fungus among us lol 😂! It was so darn helpful because it scared the hell out of me when I first saw it. Tossed a few pieces out until I decided to look it up lol 😂! Hearing you & the happy music made it less scary. Thank you ☺️ ♥️

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you for the compliments, Lily! You may be pleased to find that I actually am a fun bubbly teacher that (hopefully) doesn't bore my students to death. I was on the full-time faculty of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco overseeing the school's Visual Effects Department and teaching a full slate of classes in various VFX disciplines. I am also a stand-up comedian & actor, so you can guess how my teaching style developed. I believe people always learn better through humor, which is why I wanted to keep this video lighthearted and succinct since it is about a something that can scare the snot out of you if you don't know what's going on. So I'm glad you enjoyed this and I hope you're enjoying the rest of the Aquatasy channel.

[@yangtiffany6576]

I will go with the glass one, Thank you.

[@Aquatasy]

Me too, although I tried to stay as objective and fair as I could when making this video. Any particular reason why you prefer glass?

[@nadia9938]

I love this video 💛

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you so much, Nadia. I try to make all my videos entertaining and visually appealing as well as informative. I'm glad you enjoyed this video.

[@HWolfe]

Glass..hand down. Great video!!!TFS.

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you for the compliment! I tried to keep this video as neutral and unbiased as possible, but I agree with you. Glass...all day every day. So why do you personally prefer glass over acrylic?

[@cammiluna]

Thank you for this! I've only just heard of acrylic tanks now in 2020 and I wanted to know more about them. I'm a little sad about acrylic tanks being so scratch-prone and eventually discoloring, but I'm going to give it a try. I'm relocating with a 7yr Kissing Gourami and he needs a 20 gallon tank, but I never upgraded from his 10 gallon because a 20g glass tank is impossible for me to lift or manage on my own.

[@Aquatasy]

At 20 gallons a well-made acrylic aquarium may not be that much lighter in weight compared to a 20 gallon glass aquarium. It's when you get into the larger volumes (55 gallons and up) that you start to see a significant difference. Check it out thoroughly before you buy otherwise you could be spending a whole lot more for acrylic without the weight reduction you are seeking.

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

I've been working with acrylic a lot these days but the glass is just so much cheaper

[@carlosj587]

Glass has green tint to it due to high iron. You can look for low iron glass tanks or get them custom made woth low iron glass. So it will be ultra clear. The green glass itself may not even be noticeable. If you have like a 10, 20 maybe 30 gallon tank. but I do know for a fact that when you get a 55 gallon tank starts to distort what you see and it gets really bad. It might even make you dizzy. In some instances, I get headaches if i look at my my 55 gallon tank. I was getting vertigo the first few weeks until my eyes adjusted. Because if you look at the fish and then you look slightly to your left or right. The glass gets thicker and bends light, everything warps and looks stretched, if anything your tank may have a nice depth (short width) but everylooks half the size because of the way the glass makes everything look scrunched up. Everything you see is bended so unless you're literally Looking dead straight through the glass, you'll be fine, but if you PAN around with your eyes standing from one area, you'll get dizzy Most likely, so it is not recommended. You can purchase a low iron tank. Even get it custom made but it can get expensive this one place was charging me 400 for a 55 gal tank ultra clear glass on 3 sides only. But the delivery is another 400 lol im leaving out some change i think it came out to 900 something. But if your furtunate enough to find a glass low iron tank then your fine. Acrylic will scratch and youl go crazy looking at those scratches. The viewing quality is nice but the scratches is very very high maintance. And a fish tank alreay requires alot so adding the scratches is just annoying.

[@Aquatasy]

Great info! Thanks!

[@carlosj587]

@@Aquatasy Sorry I was voice texting and I didn't realize how many typos it had. I revised it and added new info.

[@Aquatasy]

It's all good!

[@kp-gbuniqueinterest]

Yeah I saw a good 150g tank at petsmart it looks so nice. But I feel that a tank that is more than 75g should be acrylic. I am saving up for it.

[@Aquatasy]

I think it depend upon the manufacturer. I have seen some very large glass aquariums that are quite stable. But I tend to agree with you. Personally, if I wanted a really large tank (say over 200 gallons) I would go with acrylic. Hey, when you get that big tank after saving up for it I hope you'll post a video of it.

[@kp-gbuniqueinterest]

yeah I will. I have taken vids of my others but never upload them

[@FAKE-NAME]

Something about the glass tanks not mentioned is that the silicone is only good for around 8-10 years before it starts to lift up and start leaking. It's very common to find larger tanks that have started leaking due to the higher pressure and age of the silicone (recently received a free leaking 125g because of the leak). That being said I also have another glass 100g tank where the silicone is alot older, I've had it for about 14 years myself and I bought it used(not sure how long they had it) and the silicone hasn't started lifting yet but I'm very careful not to hit the silicone while cleaning.

[@Aquatasy]

That is an excellent point about the silicone sealer on glass tanks wearing out after a certain number of years. (Gosh darn it, I'm going to have to make an updated version of this video.) That's amazing that your 100 gallon tank hasn't had any issues all these years. What a blessing that is! And a free 125 gallon just because of a leak? Sweet! Clean it, reseal it, and you're good to go. Score! (Love your account name, by the way.)

[@AquariumCop]

TY for sharing!☑

[@Aquatasy]

You're welcome!

[@cameronwilcox2496]

Why is this guy buying so many limes?

[@Aquatasy]

+Cameron Wilcox LOL! Honest truth, my wife wanted to make limeade instead of lemonade.

[@ivanboschi3084]

Mojitos?

[@Aquatasy]

Nope. Not my thing. It really was for making limeade.

[@TheDemigod007]

He's the guy your math teacher told your class about.

[@troubletroublesme]

Ceviche

[@donbacker9883]

Nice channel! Just discovered it today.

[@Aquatasy]

Great to have you here, Don!

[@JeezeJack]

The intro jingle is making me really happy

[@Aquatasy]

LOL! Thank you! First compliment I've received regarding the Aquatasy intro jingle. (It make me happy too, by the way.)

[@RickyKenerlyCichlids]

This was a professionally made video! I believe I am going to stick with Glass for now!

[@Aquatasy]

Ha! Ha! Thanks. It is pretty much what I do for a living (visual effects artist & animator for feature films, television, & games). I kind of went to town with this video. Didn't intend to make it quite as fancy-shmancy as it ended up, but hey you guys are worth the extra effort. So why is glass your aquarium preference?

[@RickyKenerlyCichlids]

I sometimes scratch my glass aquariums and get real upset. I don't think I could handle an acrylic tank if they are easy to scratch. I leave my lights on more than normal and I have to get the algae off my glass. If I had acrylic it would be a nightmare!

[@Aquatasy]

That is precisely why I favor glass to acrylic. I also run my lights for a long time (about ten hours). But, I have so many Rams Horn Snails in my tank that I never ever have to clean the glass. They take care of it for me. Now my kids' tanks? They Have to use the Magfloat glass cleaners every so often.

[@RickyKenerlyCichlids]

Sometimes my lights stay on for 14 hours! In some tanks my cichlids make sure there are no snails!

[@alexanderwhite7109]

The costs opinion is only valid in the US. While here in UK, it's the opposite, building a glass aquarium will cost you a fortune, while acrylic it's way way cheaper and easier to build. It's 2024, people are not using glass anymore.

[@Aquatasy]

How interesting! I did not realize that about the UK. I assumed it was sort of 50/50 split there in popularity. I know that the Superfish aquarium kits are widely available throughout the United Kingdom and that they are glass tanks. On this side of the pond, glass aquariums still seem to be the standard. So far in my travels I have only been to one UK fish shop (video forthcoming). I'm hoping to visit more on my next trip.

[@WelshGuitarDude]

@@Aquatasy sand is heavily bought by construction firms here even when not needed encase of shortages, so the demand is high driving glass price up compared to acrylic. I do wonder why they don't add a film on the acrylic much like they have for smart phones to protect fro scratches which solves the main issue

[@mikep490]

Excellent video. There is a hidden cost with some of the glass tanks in the $5/gallon range. Some spring a leak and 40 gallons can do a lot of damage. I gave away my tanks before my GF moved in. 1000 lbs of water in glass was a tempting target for kids.

[@Aquatasy]

Good point, Mike! You do have to be careful with some of the cheaper brands. I've had good experiences with the Aqueon glass aquariums, many of which are often sold by Petco stores in the US as part of their "Dollar Per Gallon" sales that they do several times a year. In a case like that they aren't selling them cheap because they are cheaply made aquariums. They are selling them cheap because the store (and Aqueon) know that they will make their money on the sales of lights, filters, heaters, etc. that customers will need to go with that sale-priced tank. It's kind of like how printers are often sold at a loss because they know they'll make the money back on the sale of the expensive ink cartridges that cost virtually nothing to make. Even so, you have to be cautious when purchasing aquariums. It's always a good idea to test a new aquarium for leaks before you fully aquascape it or add fish to it. If you find that it is leaking you might be able to return it to the store for exchange or refund. Oh, and I hear you about small children and big boxes of water. Our daughter was never an issue when it came to breakables. Except for the one time as a toddler when she poured an entire full container of flake food into my tank while I was at work (check out my video called "My Favorite Fish Tank Horror Story"), she was always very good about not touching things and not playing near the aquarium. On the other hand, when our son was little we had to watch him like a hawk because he had a tendency to have hissy fits and throw things. Fortunately, he never threw anything at or near the aquariums. Today at 19 he's Mr. Mellow and doesn't believe all the stories we tell him of his rambunctious youth. So how long ago did you give away your aquariums? Are you still without an aquarium? I think I'd go bonkers if I didn't have at least one fish tank.

[@mikep490]

@@Aquatasy We had 3 tanks until the early 90's. Now that I have more time to enjoy so I'm hoping to get back into the hobby. I hope the negative reviews on tanks that leak are mostly because few people report good results. I know sealing a new tank voids warranties but I'm considering that route. 55 gallon tanks for under $150 is a heck of a bargain. As you say, that's just a small portion of the expense.

[@Aquatasy]

You may be on to something, Mike. I doubt many people are inclined to write reviews that say "Bought a new tank and it didn't leak! Highly recommend!" The expectation we all have when purchasing an aquarium is that it won't leak, just like when we buy a can of blue paint we expect it to be blue. How many of us write reviews saying "This blue paint is actually blue, would definitely buy again"? But if we got that can home and the paint turned out to be orange we'd leave a scatching review. So yeah, you're probably right that only people who get a leaky tank are going to write reviews about how well it does or does not hold water. Now, of course, if there are hundreds of reviews stating that a tank from XYZ Company leaked then I would seriously consider staying away from their products. If there are only a smattering of bad reviews then I'd chalk it up to the law of averages.

[@HelloThere-kd3if]

In My Opinion, Glass Is Better Than Acrylic.

[@MrWells-km5cp]

well that's just like your opinion man.

[@dreammaker3239]

I’m currently in the design stage of an ex-large customized home. We are incorporating a customized 60,000-gallon reef aquarium using starphire (low iron) ultra-clear architectural glass for our aquarium. The aquarium will also be fully automated with (3) safety backup systems. After reviewing your video…which was very informative, my wife and I are having cognitive dissonance about the choice to use glass over acrylic. In your video, you mentioned if the tank was over 150 gallons the aquarium should be acrylic…because the tank would be stronger to handle the water pressure in the tank. My structural engineers assured us that there would be no issues with the aquarium being constructed of glass and steel. My architect and the structural engineers who design the aquarium would like to know if there is supporting documentation to backup your opinion on the statement you made in your video?

[@69bonesz]

Great to see a new movie it was funny and nice information and editing, I put 1 on the button: Like for glass ;)

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you! Nice to finally get a video posted. Been crazy busy lately.

[@69bonesz]

NP I can see that the video's you do make are always nice to watch, got a load of work also in them, from my opinion, qua editing and style and all the different pieces of footage you used under while, then the voice over..I couldn't do that all !! And then the waiting for a upload..... it is all good when I watch your new movie ;)

[@Aquatasy]

It can be a bit of an effort. I plan on making a behind the scenes video discussing how I put all my vids together so as to demystify things. As for upload time, it never takes long to upload. I render out all my edited videos as .MP4 movie files using the H.264 compression codec setting. This is what KZbin prefers. Uploads go quick and smoothly. If you use other file formats (.AVI, .MOV, etc.) it can take much longer to upload as KZbin converts your file into another format.

[@Aquatasy]

69bonesz The Force is strong with you. ;-) Yes, I have a "dark side" as you can see when you check out my other channel (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWS5ZJ9-oMafnpo). As for playing guitar, sadly I do not. I never learned to play any instruments. My mother plays guitar and piano and ukelele. My father used to play (doesn't any more because of his arthritis) drums and saxophone. All I play are CDs and MP3s. LOL!

[@69bonesz]

Whahhaha yeah I never ask for that force :) Ehm your channel link is to this channel... use the force to change it now :) Ow so you are from a musical family, but I also think playing the CD and MP3 is a load easier, then the real instruments :) But I try to make some sounds with a mondharmonica sometimes ;) And that Ukulele what your mom is playing must be a great memory, at least I love the sound of that instrument !!

[@YKnossos]

I remember asking my managers at the pet-store about the differences between the two and one point they brought up is that acrylic on a large scale has a higher tendency to completely blow out/fail under the stress of water. So larger tanks, although they weight more...glass is a more reliable way to go. Of course getting your tank from a reputable place, or built by good craters makes a huge difference too.

[@Aquatasy]

You're right, it all depends on how it is constructed. Thanks for watching!

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

I'm thinking about a paludarium in the not so distant future, and wondering about a compromise: Glass for the aquatic bottom and a thin door of relatively cheap acrylic for the top terrestrial part. The back and sides could be 1/4 inch concrete board for heat transfer (acrylic paludariums get hot and steamy).

[@kgballa]

Im brand new to all of this I just purchased the 2019 seaclear 20 gallon hexagon and it didn't come with a light bulb. I need a 12inch 8-40 watt. Please provide a link.

[@NHseacoast]

Either for me. You channel is well done I’m surprised you don’t have 50,000 subscribers!

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you very much for the compliments! Perhaps I'm KZbin's best kept secret. LOL! Subscribe and help spread the word about my little channel. (And by the way we have a giveaway going on right now. Be sure and check it out.)

[@rockfella27]

Yeah definitely.

[@rockfella27]

@@Aquatasy You have the 80's look n voice. Maybe that's why lol.

[@Aquatasy]

LOL!

[@christopherC1111]

The pinnacle would be blue planet and such. Good luck!

[@dr.k.brijendrasharma684]

Gr8, so informative

[@Aquatasy]

+brijendra sharma I'm so happy you enjoyed this and that you found this information helpful. I hope you'll keep watching this channel.

[@mastertuhinbaruah9614]

Super pro level video

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you so very much for say that. I appreciate the compliment. I hope you'll enjoy the other Aquatasy videos as well.

[@mastertuhinbaruah9614]

Aquatasy yah sure sir

[@purplelonghorn4058]

Wow great video. I have a glass tank now as most people do. But I still don't know what kind of tank I will get on my next upgrade ? LOL But still a fun video to watch non the less.Thanks for making it =)

[@Aquatasy]

+Purple Longhorn You're absolutely welcome! I'm happy that you enjoyed this video. I had fun making it. I hope you'll check out the other videos here on the Aquatasy channel. And there's more videos like this one coming up. Stay tuned!

[@robertfletcher3421]

Just catching up on the vids. Acrylic tanks here in the UK are very rare. We are getting more lower-priced Optiwhite (Low iron) that is competing well with ADA such as Aqua Essentials but still a bit out of my budget. Good vid.

[@Aquatasy]

That's interesting, Robert. Why do you think acrylic tanks are such a rarity in the UK? They are quite prevalent in the US and it certainly isn't because they are more affordable. Those Optiwhite tanks are quite nice. I love all the ADA products, however I'm glad to see other companies starting to successfully sell low iron aquarium product lines.

[@VyvienneEaux]

The water in an aquarium doesn't exert pressure on the sides. The only forces acting on the sides that are dependent on the water are essentially due to the momentum gained from bulk flow of the water in any particular direction not parallel with gravity.

[@jareen19871]

lot of hard work would have gone into making this video!!! thanks! cheers!

[@Aquatasy]

+neer It did indeed! But I enjoyed making this video. Glad you enjoyed watching it. If videos like this entertain and inform people then all the effort is worth it.

[@jpwiggins3725]

Depends on how long you plan on running your tank. Acrylic scratches, not just major scratches but minor non-polish areas. Not a big deal but algae grows on it now directly, much easier. I've run Acrylic and glass for over 20 years. Now planning my next tank to replace a 90gal Acrylic I'm breaking down. Going to go with glass

[@Aquatasy]

That's an excellent point that you bring up. All those minor scratches on the inside of an acrylic tank which accumulate over time do indeed make it much easier for algae to grow there. Thank you for watching and for leaving this comment. Good information!

[@SirenSeaAquariums]

great video new subbie

[@popsr499]

I prefer both but mainly acrylic due to the type of of fish (discus) but glass for tropical fish

[@Aquatasy]

+Pops R It really does come down to application and personal preference. I can see why you might want to use acrylic for housing discus. They need a large tank and many hobbyists don't want the slight green tint of glass to alter the view of their wonderfully colorful fish. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment. I really appreciate you joining the conversation.

[@brandonstock29]

Go for visual, especially if most issues are solved with a buffer, nature is what we're looking to capture but only if you can see an exact representation of it, have you captured it for everyone to share with?

[@Aquatasy]

That is incredibly poetic and wise advice, Brandon. Well said!

[@richardnation3379]

What about low iron glass? I watched a youtube and I believe he said that high quality low iron didnt have the green hue. I am looking at a 10 gallon for my cut out angled kitchen corner. I bought a cheap glass at petsmart and I am embarrassed to say but my betta has plastic and after watching these informative videos I noticed the green in the aqueon 1 bucka gallon glass. It isnt filled yet and is going back after i read it could bust if I took the rim off, so I am looking at some low iron rimless. I still see the green where the corners are cut at a 45 degree angle in the pics, so it made my decision easier to go with the penn plass rounded corner glass! Its prettier anyway much cheaper and comes with an acrylic lid. Cheap filter and light bu probably replace those anyway. I am a total newbie and I am using my hubbys account! Thanks for this video and just wanted to know what you think about low iron glass versus regular or cheaper quality low iron versus glass.

[@Aquatasy]

You are correct in your assumption that the low iron glass has less of a green tint. Personally, the green tint of glass has never bothered me (probably because I set up mostly freshwater planted aquariums which tend to look greenish anyway from all the vegetation), but I know that green tint bothers some folks. So yes, low iron will mean less green. It also means a higher price tag. Have you looked into the Aqua Design Amano ADA line of aquariums? They tend not to look as green. Glad you enjoyed this video. I hope you and your hubby will keep watching Aquatasy.

[@Arteolike]

On 9:28 you mention ADA tanks are made without silicone and are somehow fused together with heat. This simply is not true. All glass aquariums, including ADA are held together with silicone.

[@Aquatasy]

Thank you. I stand corrected. I appreciate you leaving a comment.

[@NoflectioN]

Not silicone ....solvent based glue chemically bonds the acrylic

[@jasper777777]

With the rimless won't the fish jump out? I like the rimless too. Also, there is something plasticey about acrylic, I always think plastic looks cheap even if its not.

[@Aquatasy]

With any open top aquarium you definitely need to be careful not to stock it with species that are prone to "carpet diving". I have, though, seen people lower the water level in order to curb that sort of jumping tendency. I would not recommend stocking an open top tank with fast swimming surface dwellers. Regarding your feelings about acrylic looking cheap and "plasticy", I think it depends upon the manufacturer and the quality of the tank. I have seen some acrylic tanks that look anything but cheap. I do understand where you are coming from though. I felt the same way for years.

[@mr.miyagi3784]

Thank you so much. Those new glass tanks you mention at the end...are those the low iron ones (common in Japan)? I've heard someone had the bottom fall out of theirs. But they are beautiful!!! You have completely helped me to choose my new tank. Thanks again. FANTASTIC VIDEO. Love the history too.

[@Aquatasy]

Mr. Miyagi They are indeed, although I've never heard of one having the bottom fall out. (Yikes!) The Aqua Design Amano tanks are absolutely top notch, and I've heard lots of great things about aquariums by Mr. Aqua as well. Very happy to know you enjoyed this video. More where that came from coming your way soon!

[@mr.miyagi3784]

Aquatasy Ohhh, I spoke too soon, after inquiring, it turns out the break was due to human error. I'm so sorry, I hope I haven't discouraged anyone. Thanks again. You're great.

[@Aquatasy]

No worries. I figured it was an isolated incident.

[@Mac2437]

Informative vid nice. Question does starfire glass compare to acrylic?

[@Aquatasy]

+Mac2437 Although I have no firsthand experience with starfire glass, from those I've been in touch with who have aquariums constructed from this material there are no differences between it and regular glass except for the added clarity...and the added cost. Starfire glass is a type of glass made with very low amounts of iron giving it a much higher clarity. Starfire glass doesn't have that greenish tint to it that regular glass does. So as far as visuals are concerned, starfire is right on par with acrylic in that it does not distort the color of the aquarium's contents. Otherwise its properties are the same as regular glass in the areas of durability, weight, etc. And as I said it costs more. Although I haven't priced it myself, I would guess that a starfire aquarium would cost more than an acrylic tank of the same size and certainly much more than a regular glass aquarium. I hope that helps you. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. That was a really good question.

[@Sassonic]

I ordered 2 acrylic tanks from Clear for Life, both arrived with scratched on them when I picked them up from the store... I'm trying to get an exchange...

[@Aquatasy]

Oh my gosh, that's horrible! I'm so sorry that happened to you. Hopefully the company will exchange them for you without any hassle. That's always my big fear with acrylic tanks. Let me know how it goes with the replacement tanks. Thank you for commenting. I appreciate it tremendously.

[@lenlobato962]

Thank you 😜👍

[@Aquatasy]

You are very welcome! I'm glad this video was helpful to you.

[@mariaportnoy2019]

I always used glass, but mainly because it's hard to find acrylic aquariums in Israel. Also I am hopeless when it comes to being carful while cleaning or aquascaping my tanks. I never had a marine or riff aquariums, and I do think the slight greenish tone a glass gives away is somehow adding to the whole view of a glass aquarium.

[@Aquatasy]

You are the first person to say something positive about the green tint of glass aquariums. I fully agree with you. Perhaps it is because I have become accustomed to it over the years, but for me that green tint is part of the charm of glass aquariums. And like you said, I'm too clumsy by nature and would easily scratch up an acrylic tank in a very short time. Thank you for watching and commenting. I hope you will keep watching and leaving comments.

[@beachlove4658]

What would u reccomend for my red ared slider turtle?

[@Aquatasy]

Personally, I think glass aquariums work best for turtles. Acrylic scratches too easily and turtles have hard shells and little toenails that could scratch up an acrylic tank.

[@emmojo3428]

I'm on the fence with the glass vs acrylic aquariums. The place where I'll be putting my future tank is not in a high traffic room so the chance of scratches lowers. However, I"m also visually impaired so with cleaning/maintenance, I"ll most likely screw something up.

[@Aquatasy]

Jamaika In your case I think I might recommend glass. How big a tank will you be getting and what kind of fish will you keeping in it?

[@-7070]

You can purchase starphire (low iron) glass which makes it as clear as a acrylic aquarium and still keeps the durability. however it will cost the same as acrylic

[@Aquatasy]

That is very true and certainly an option. Personally, I don't have the time these days for a DIY project like that (and my wife wouldn't let me budget-wise), but definitely a way to get the best of both worlds,

[@AliMohamed-jg6bv]

Hi. Good info. I'm planning to make an aquarium with 244cm x 122 cm x80 cm. I'm using Arcylic glasses and I'm wondering which thickness should I go with?! I'm thinking in 19 mm. Is that safe and secure enough for such tank?! Any advice?!

[@Aquatasy]

That sounds about right to me. I did a little poking around on the internet and found this nice article on building acrylic aquariums which seems to confirm our assumptions on acrylic thickness... www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_acrylic_aquarium.php By the way, if you haven't already discovered his channel I would suggest you check out The King of DIY... kzbin.info His name is Joey and he shows you how to build all kinds of things for the fish tank hobby including large acrylic aquariums. Drop him a note or leave a comment on one of his video, and tell him Aquatasy sent you.

[@aquascape8816]

Having both glass and acrylic, hands down I prefer glass. To me it is more aesthrtically pleasing. Especially the Starfire glass.

[@Aquatasy]

Aquascape I couldn't agree more. There is just something about the aesthetic quality of glass that acrylic lacks. Certainly there are some impressive acrylic aquariums, but glass is so visually striking. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@simoling]

I also love the seamless rims of the ADA and Mr. Aqua. I think Mr. Aqua is affordable now, no? Also, I noticed you had an image of Albany Aquarium. Is that your LFS?

[@Aquatasy]

Yes, the Mr. Aqua aquariums seem to have come down in price and are more affordable than they used to be. And you have a sharp eye. Albany Aquarium is indeed my LFS. I have been going there for years. Not a big store, but they always have healthy livestock. Nearly all the fish you see in my videos came from Albany Aquarium.

[@kimberlya9614]

I'm going to get a custom pond aquarium made it'll be 116 liters should I get glass or acrylic?

[@Aquatasy]

Kimberly Grace It all depends upon your own aesthetic tastes, the type of fish you're going to keep, and your budget. Glass is less expensive. Acrylic is more versatile when is comes to custom making an aquarium. If you can tell me more about your plans for this aquarium and I might be better able to advise you.

[@erikwappa4956]

Very informative vid bro. Love it. Write me down for glass. Eco friendly. Acrylic is not so eco friendly i believe.

[@Aquatasy]

So true, Erik. Glass is quite eco-friendly. I almost brought that up in the video, but I didn't want to push the running time beyond where it already was. Thanks for watching and commenting, my friend!

[@erikwappa4956]

Respect bro.It was a very good vid. Sst but even i learned a few things from it. :)

[@junito1957]

the new low iron tanks are the best

[@ShaJawad]

thank you so much ............. saved me lots of cash!!!!!!

[@Aquatasy]

+SA jawad (juwaaad) You are very welcome! My goal was to help fish hobbyists make an informed decision when selecting their next tank. Happy to have helped.

[@ShaJawad]

am very pleased by your work.... carry on the good work

[@alorindanya]

Can a glass aquarium go on an a stand made for an acrylic aquarium of the same size?

[@Aquatasy]

I don't see why not. Most stands are built to hold more weight than what is officially recommended. And in most cases a fully filled and operating glass aquarium isn't too much heavier than an acrylic tank of the same dimensions. The reason that weight was mentioned in this video as a consideration mainly has to do with setting it up. Acrylic tanks are generally lighter weight and easier to move and position. But once in place on the stand the weight difference between glass and acrylic isn't as much of a concern. So yes, you should be able to put a glass tank on a stand that was originally meant for an acrylic tank of the same size. Good question! Thanks for asking it.

[@roge69charger]

I've been trying to make my mind up for several month's Glass or Acrylic. I wan't to purchase a mid size tank like 55 gals but, I'm not home that much. And, my apt sitter is a bit clumsy. The 55 gal I was about to purchase is 4 ft wide about 13 wide, I like a wider tank. But, with braces /supports. I'm looking for like a cubicle shape, haven't found any near me. Except one place and they want a fortune for it. Have any suggestions. Figure I'd rather then have a larger Glass tank with a wider width. I feel fishes need as much lenght as width.

[@Aquatasy]

Roger Bono Marineland makes a 56 gallon "column" aquarium ensemble (one gallon larger) that is 30" wide (side to side) by 18" long (front to back) by 24" high. That's a lot more cubicle that the 55 gallon you described. It comes with a decent stand, glass canopy, and fluorescent lights. I've seen it for sale at Petsmart. You could look their website (it sometimes goes on sale) or try contacting Marineland directly to find out where to buy it. If you are truly worried about your sitter being clumsy, then perhaps you might want to opt for and acrylic tank. Less breakable than glass. Easier to scratch, but less breakable. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching this video. Be sure to check out the other videos on this channel. Blessings to you!

[@lucaspernet6297]

Easy ! glass for small to medium aquariums Acrylic for medium to big aquariums

[@Aquatasy]

That's not a bad rule of thumb.

[@knwr]

Although acrylic does scratch easier, both tanks will still scratch in the end. The acrylic tanks will be able to have their scratches buffed out even with fish still in the tank, and this process is both easier and far more effective than it is on glass.

[@Aquatasy]

That is an excellent point. You are absolutely correct. Thank you for mentioning that.

[@paulmr6667]

I had a 180 gal starphire glass tank, was gorgeous, but then it cracked on the bottom and water went all in my house, but that was caused by not a flat stand. I then replaced it with the same size acrylic tank. The one thing I do not like about my acrylic tank is I see "warping" when viewed from angles, I did not get that from the glass tank I had. It seems like the water is pushing the sides out a bit making it "bow" outwards a tad causing the warping effect I think. Im curious to know if this is a known issue or if I bought a poorly designed acrylic tank?? I am HIGHLY considering going back to a glass tank for the gorgeous clarity and no warping effect! I have my stand more sturdy and flat now too, so I am about to make the change unless I can get an acrylic tank that wont bow. The size I need is 180 gal.

[@Aquatasy]

You bring up an excellent point that I forgot to cover in this video. Depending upon their age and how they are constructed, acrylic tanks can over time begin to bow due to the pressure of all that water pushing against the sides. It's not as bad as it used to be back in the day, but it can still happen especially with low-end acrylic tanks. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@Aquatasy]

You're right. And that's too expensive for me. Unless I'm getting a tank that's larger than 220 gallons I'll stick with glass.

[@biglebowski5737]

I am setting up a 300gallon acrylic tank with severums. I would like to add bristlenose plecos to take care of algae. Will they scratch the acrylic?

[@Aquatasy]

Although it is possible that over time Bristlenose Plecos could scratch your acrylic tank, it isn't *probable* that they would do any significant damage. It certainly wouldn't be visible with water in the tank. The water would fill in any minute, hairline scratches that the plecos might create rendering them invisible.

[@Aquatasy]

Great question, by the way!

[@biglebowski5737]

@@Aquatasy Thank you for you input!!!

[@Aquatasy]

My pleasure! I hope that helps.

[@TheRedtaz]

should i put my great white shark in glass or acrylic, i have it in my pool now, but eventually i need to put it in a tank in my house, any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@Aquatasy]

I would do whatever the great white shark asks you to do. Let them decide whether they want glass or acrylic. ;-)

[@TheRedtaz]

the white shark told me to fill the basement up with salt water, he wants to go down there so he has more room, and once a week he wants me to let little children to go swimming down there, I did that, and 1 of the children disappeared, what could of happened? what do I tell the parents?

[@Aquatasy]

I hope you got a permit from the city before you filled your basement with saltwater. You have to be careful about local zoning ordinances. As for what to tell the parents, perhaps you should let them speak directly with the shark. ;-)

[@gopiraj8195]

Sir can we make planted aquarium in ACRYLIC tanks ?

[@Aquatasy]

Absolutely! Aquatic plants will grow just as well in either glass or acrylic aquariums.

[@amberlynnlillys9589]

acrylic tanks are very nice but way to pricey. I'd would not mind haveing one but I perr glass its more clear easier to maintain the weight may be more but worth it if your a fish lover lol good video man I like to here opinions :) on the type of tanks

[@Aquatasy]

I appreciate your feedback, Jason. You've got some good points for choosing glass over acrylic. I your case I can totally see why glass is your preference.

[@ragedrephaim5570]

Is it possible to make a glass tank with an acrylic bottom or do they not silicone together well

[@Aquatasy]

Well, Doug, there is an old expression that goes, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial." Can you construct a glass aquarium with an acrylic bottom? Yes. Should you construct a glass aquarium with an acrylic bottom? Probably not. My guess is that the seal would not hold for very long. The way that acrylic tanks are held together and the way glass tanks are held together is very different. Acrylic aquariums require acrylic cement to bond or "weld" the pieces together. Very much like real welding where when you are done all you have left is metal, when the acrylic cement cures and dries all that's left is acrylic. The cement essentially becomes one with the side & bottom panels. Glass aquariums use silicone to make the sections of glass adhere to each other. It is a sealer that sticks one glass panel to the next, but never fully bonds them in the same manner that acrylic cement bonds acrylic. The reason it is used is because with glass being much more rigid a material the joints need to be somewhat flexible to allow for settling when they are filled with water. Acrylic itself is already a flexible material and needs its joints to stay rigid or the pressure of the water could loosen the joints. Therefore an adhesive such as silicone would never stick to acrylic as well as it would to glass. Eventually a tank with glass sides and an acrylic bottom with come apart at the seams with the silicone adhering to the glass, but never truly bonding to the acrylic. Whew! That's a very long winded way of me saying it probably wouldn't work for very long so I wouldn't recommend trying it.

[@ragedrephaim5570]

@@Aquatasy dang, I want to make a tank for a mantis shrimp and have heard of them breaking through glass bottoms was hoping to benefit from the combo. Can't decide which to go with as some say glass is fine, ty for the reply.

[@Aquatasy]

Why not go with an entirely acrylic tank?

[@ragedrephaim5570]

@@Aquatasy I'm worried about it getting scratched up and not looking so nice

[@aquahogs]

I have to do LOTS of cleaning, I have fancy goldfish...(lionhead, telescope, and ryukin) so I prefer glass, but I can't find a more square Glass tank. All I find is rectangular tanks, goldfish do better with more surface area to aerate. Any suggestions as where to go?

[@Aquatasy]

A square glass tank is going to be a little pricier than standard rectangles, especially one that is large enough for goldfish. I believe Aqua Design Amano sells cube aquariums. You could also try a company call Glass Cages. They seem to sell non-standard sizes in both glass and acrylic.

[@aquahogs]

+Aquatasy I will check both of those out, Thank you much!

[@slickchick5811]

Custom Aquariums RECOMMENDED. Will make any tank you want.

[@tayh3645]

I've never really noticed any change in color for glass unless it was 3/4" or thicker.... and even then it really wasn't much. Acrylic though I always feel that things look a little "fuzzy" whenever I see an acrylic tank.... perhaps its just a lot of super tiny scratches from being wiped with a cloth, or tiny pores that were not buffed out.... but they always seemed to lack the practically unseeable quality that glass does. I do like that they are more adaptable with shape, but for what its worth a squared off glass tank works just fine for my needs. If I was doing a floor to ceiling cylinder aquarium i'd definitely use acrylic. I'd also go with acrylic if the tank was for a small child, just for the damage resistance, glass is far too easy to shatter.

[@Aquatasy]

I agree with you, Tay. For me any slight color tinting with glass tanks does not bother me in the least. I like the term you used regarding glass aquariums, that the glass is "unseeable". Glass seems like an extension of the water, like they are one and the same, to my eye whereas acrylic feels to me as if it is a noticeable container. As you said, though, for a large installation or custom shape or a tank for young children, I would definitely consider acrylic to be the more applicable material. Thanks for the comment!

[@tonyrocksification]

nice informative video. I have a dream tank also want to build a monster tank, measurement is (L96xH36xD36)inch, please suggest which material should I use glass or acrylic, compare to price, durability, toughness and longevity coz its an indoor aquarium.

[@Aquatasy]

+Tony Biswas Wow! That would be a huge tank. Over 500 gallons. I would definitely suggest acrylic for a tank that large. It won't be cheap (using either material), but it will be strong, durable, and if taken good care of it will last a long time.

[@tonyrocksification]

+Aquatasy thanks for suggestion.

[@Aquatasy]

No problem. Promise me you'll let me know if you get that dream tank together. Would love to see it. What do you plan to keep in it?

[@tonyrocksification]

+Aquatasy Sure, its my pleasure, and I keep monsters like arowana, bass peacock, Dorado etc.

[@Aquatasy]

Nice! Great fish if you have the space for them.

[@vibrationalmagician7593]

But I ever saw this ATM series, they built a scratch-resistant acrylic tank. Is it possible?

[@Aquatasy]

Yes, it is possible to have scratch-resistant acrylic tanks custom made. ATM does incredibly good work, as you ca see by watching their TV series "Tanked". But keep in mind that such scratch-resistant acrylics come with a high price tag and are most often used for big installations at public aquariums and other large public venues.

[@vibrationalmagician7593]

Aquatasy I see. Thanks for the explanation. Hope one day scratch-resistant acrylic will be in an affordable price.

[@gorgar6059]

Acrylic panels are used commonly in public aquariums because of sizes they can achieve. Such huge panels simply cannot be made of glass. And in public domain safety of acrylic is important. You can go to first public aqauarium and see these mentioned scratches. Usually scratches are on the outer side, because visitors scratch them. On the inner side scraches are usually made by crocodiles and hippos. And by divers cleaning the aquarium. Acrylics can be repolished but it is quite expensive. Underwater world seen through acrylic panels is seemingly worse compared to glass. It is because of panel's distorions and dispersion of the light. For home aquarium I would never go to arcrylics.

[@Aquatasy]

Great information! You're right, of course, that glass simply isn't feasible for large public aquarium installations. I like that you brought up the dispersion of light when it comes to acrylic. That is a point a wish I had included in this video. Thank you so much for watching and joining in on the conversation!

[@mrespr3sso1988]

I have a 55 gallon Top Fin glass aquarium that i bought about 2 weeks ago and waiting for water to be clear. I personally think i will get an Acrylic Aquarium next time because of structure design since they are stronger than glass i live in an apartment so im worried more about structure than anything else and for scratching i just have to be careful same goes with glass.

[@Aquatasy]

I definitely understand your reasoning for wanting acrylic for your next aquarium. Structural integrity is even more important when you don't own the property you live in and/or you have people dwelling beneath you. That's an excellent point. Thanks for watching and leaving such a good comment!

[@mrespr3sso1988]

@@Aquatasy thanks for the info on your video I really learned and will keep watching more of your videos to learn even more since i am new to this hobby. I am putting african ciclids in the tank i seen that they are beautiful fish with colors but will start with the ones that don’t grow big. For the property it’s rented and i got someone beneath me. Structural is more important to me than anything.

[@Aquatasy]

Do your research, especially about their aggressive nature. Some are much more aggressive than others.

[@igorverdes]

How is the 55 top fin doing? Just purchased one on sale.

[@mrespr3sso1988]

@@igorverdes got rid of it long time i got me a 55 gallon Clear For Life acrylic and is the best fish tank I purchased not have to worry about glass breaking and stuff.

[@marymendez4178]

I had once a 55 gallon from seaclear. I rather own an acrylic tank is safer and is one entire piece. I'm so scared of glass because of leakage, I rent not own a property. So acrylic is best for my needs.

[@Aquatasy]

I think that is a very sound reasoning. Acrylic tanks are very durable, and there is less chance of leaks. I have been in this hobby for over 40 years and nearly all my aquariums have been glass. In all that time I have only had one tank leak...and yes, it was a glass tank. LOL!

[@marymendez4178]

In the fish hobby since I was 8 year's old, I learned alot. Definitely acrylic, I tried not to had scratched that 55 I had. My great channels are MD fishtank, Fatherfish, Prime time aquatics and KG Tropicals. I will check what subjects you have in your channel, you'll see my comments about the subject. Thank you for replying.

[@Aquatasy]

Those are all excellent channels, especially MD Fishtanks. I will be posting new videos on Aquatasy soon. Had to take a break for a bit to focus on work & family, but there are lots of new videos in the works. By the way, if you poke around my channel enough you might find some rather intriguing things about me and my fish. 😉 Enjoy!

[@lukejacques]

I want glass with the heat retention properties of acrylic - can someone in the know get on this please, thanks.

[@Aquatasy]

No THAT would be sweet!