Need Help to Buy a New Tank,

[Bendalat]

Hello all,

 

I'm thinking of building a new mix tank.

Demention 3'x3'x2' tall.

Could you let me know which one is better, acrylic or starfire (spelling)?

Personally, I'm okay with the acrylic, and if I go that path, I will call Jeff.

However, I want to test the stafire.

Any of you have any insight about it?

I would like to know about the quality, the cost,.....

 

Thank you,

 

Khanh,

 

Sorry, I post in the wrong forum.

Moderator, could you move it for me?

 

Thanks,

 

Khanh

[Highland Reefer]

This should be good. The old question of Acrylic vs. glass. I vote for glass, but I'm out of the old school.

Edited August 13, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[Sikryd]

I have had an 15g acrylic hexagon Sea Clear tank for the last 15 years. We run freshwater in it and love it. I am partial to it just because of the black acrylic base and hood. Our home is art deco (black/white ect.) so it fits perfect.

We have a 72g Bowfront, and aren't in love with the wood stand.

 

So aesthetically I would rather go for an Acrylic tank by a well known manufacturer with matching base.

If it is as far as clarity and longevity of acrylic vs. starfire, I would go starfire just due to the type of things that are normally kept in a reef tank and the ease at which the acrylic can scratch.

[davelin315]

Hey Khanh, I think it's a matter of personal preference. Starfire is much more durable, but also more expensive I believe. It can take a lot more abuse than acrylic, but when you scratch it, it's scratched and that's that - no buffing it out. I have never used that type of glass, but it supposedly is as clear as acrylic. On the other hand, you could probably lift an acrylic tank the size you're describing by yourself - the glass would be much harder to lift. Plus, it's more difficult to drill.

[jason the filter freak]

Starfire is going to look so much better, be so much more durable, and hold it's resale value way better!

The only draw backs are weight and cost.

[dandy7200]

Khanh, it is a little bit of a drive but, you can come see my 380 and see what you think of the 3/4" thick starfire. I had miracles in glass build it.

[davelin315]

Hey Khanh, if you go, let me know, I might tag along with you. I'll be out of town for a few days, but maybe late next week?

[MOT]

I had an acrylic tank for some time and just recently switched to a starfire tank. If you are the kind of person that is willing to wipe down your acrylic every single day than I would say go with acrylic. It's easy enough to avoid scratching acrylic as long as you're not dealing with coraline algae. If you clean that tank everyday than you won't get any coraline algae. However if you don't clean the tank for a while then coraline will grow... then you might scratch the acrylic a tiny bit trying to get it off and the coraline will have a stronger foothold inside the tiny scratch... then you make some more scratches maybe a little bit bigger... but you can stop this vicious cycle by simply cleaning the tank every day and you will just have a few scratches which are impossible to see. I decided to go to starphire because I know that I don't clean the tank frequently enough.

As far as starphire clarity vs acrylic... I think that they both show true color. The cool thing about acrylic is that it makes you feel as though there is nothing between you and the water. I think that because glass is so much harder it gives more of a glare. Someone told me that acrylic refracts light almost the same as water... this may also be why it seems as though there is no barrier between you and the water. welp, thats my two cents

[CHUBAKAH]

I don't know if I'd say every day, but at least once a week it needs to be cleaned.

 

Some people swear by glass, and some by acrylic. Personally I wouldn't own another glass tank.

 

Just another little bit of advice. Unless your tank is going to be near an inch in thickness, save your money. The difference between regular, and starphire glass is hardly noticeable, and not worth the money.

[GaryL]

i know that if i had to buy another i think my decision would be glass...due to the fact is that i'm not home alot and cannot clean my tank everyday. i try to right before bed but sometimes..i get lazy. and i know for sure my gorilla fingers would scratch acrylic it for sure. just look at my skimmer

 

but that being said i dont think there is any better look than acrylic.

[Bendalat]

Thank you all for your replies.

I kind of want to try the starfire since I have an acrylic tank already.

I will look harder in to it while I collect the money to fun it. (Meaning sell more corals :( )

Do you know how much (estimate) for a 3x3x2 with the starfire on the front cost?

Dan, thanks for your invitation. I definitely will stop by to see your tank someday.

 

Khanh,

[jamesbuf]

Here you go:

 

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=OrderFo...ID=AQ_140Square

 

I know some people have have had less that comforting experiences, but I can think of many many more people who have tanks from them with no problems whatsoever.

 

If you want another option, you can also get in contact with Andrew over at Scales. I'm pretty sure the pricing is pretty good on these too. He can get you those new Marineland Deep Dimension aquariums. Andrew offered this at special pricing when they first came out, so I know he can get them. They make a 36" X 36" X 27' tank. You can check them out here:

http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland...00&mid=3228

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

[Highland Reefer]

Andrew offered this at special pricing when they first came out, so I know he can get them. They make a 36" X 36" X 27' tank. You can check them out here:

http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland...00&mid=3228

Hope this helps.

I want one, except 48" long. Beautiful tanks. I have one of these in my wish list.

The last time I talked to Andrew, he said he can still give you a great price on these tanks. Scales: http://www.scales-tfw.com/

Edited August 14, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[lanman]

This is just for mixing saltwater??

 

Starfire glass is quite expensive, and normally only used on the viewing sides of tanks, because of the cost. I'm sure NAGA could build you one in acrylic a lot more inexpensively than anything you could get in Starfire.

 

bob

[jamesbuf]

This is just for mixing saltwater??

 

Starfire glass is quite expensive, and normally only used on the viewing sides of tanks, because of the cost. I'm sure NAGA could build you one in acrylic a lot more inexpensively than anything you could get in Starfire.

 

bob

 

 

I thought he meant mixed reef tank?

[Gadgets]

I say go with Starphire. JMO though. I have had acrylic and have nothing against it. It is just a pain to keep clean. Starphire is so much easier.

 

I had an acrylic tank for some time and just recently switched to a starfire tank. If you are the kind of person that is willing to wipe down your acrylic every single day than I would say go with acrylic. It's easy enough to avoid scratching acrylic as long as you're not dealing with coraline algae. If you clean that tank everyday than you won't get any coraline algae. However if you don't clean the tank for a while then coraline will grow... then you might scratch the acrylic a tiny bit trying to get it off and the coraline will have a stronger foothold inside the tiny scratch... then you make some more scratches maybe a little bit bigger... but you can stop this vicious cycle by simply cleaning the tank every day and you will just have a few scratches which are impossible to see. I decided to go to starphire because I know that I don't clean the tank frequently enough.

As far as starphire clarity vs acrylic... I think that they both show true color. The cool thing about acrylic is that it makes you feel as though there is nothing between you and the water. I think that because glass is so much harder it gives more of a glare. Someone told me that acrylic refracts light almost the same as water... this may also be why it seems as though there is no barrier between you and the water. welp, thats my two cents

 

Completely agree with this.