Maya Ellison
Acrylic is a type of plastic commonly used for aquariums. It is a popular alternative to glass, offering a lightweight, flexible, and shatter-resistant option. Acrylic aquariums are also easier to customise and drill through, making them ideal for unique shapes and designs. However, they are prone to scratches and can turn yellow over time due to UV light exposure. Glass aquariums, on the other hand, are scratch-resistant, easier to clean, and generally more durable. While heavier and less customisable, glass tanks provide better long-term clarity and are less likely to fail over time. So, while acrylic and plastic aquariums are not the same, both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, catering to different needs and preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight | Acrylic aquariums are much lighter than glass aquariums. |
| Scratch resistance | Glass aquariums are more scratch-resistant than acrylic aquariums. |
| Shatter resistance | Acrylic aquariums are more shatter-resistant than glass aquariums. |
| Durability | Glass aquariums are more durable than acrylic aquariums. |
| Customization | Acrylic aquariums are easier to customize and can be made in various shapes and designs, while glass aquariums are less customizable due to their rigidity. |
| Clarity | Acrylic clarity can vary depending on the grade and brand, and thick acrylic panels can be prone to impurities, making them less clear. Glass aquariums provide consistent clarity. |
| UV resistance | Glass aquariums are more resistant to UV light than acrylic aquariums, which can turn yellow over time. |
| Porosity | Acrylic is a porous material and can absorb chemicals and water over time, while glass is non-porous and does not absorb chemicals. |
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What You'll Learn
Scratch resistance
Acrylic is a type of plastic. While acrylic aquariums are shatter-resistant, they are not entirely scratch-proof. Scratch-resistant acrylic is designed to resist scratches better than its standard counterpart. However, all it takes is one mishap to have scratches all over an acrylic aquarium.
Technological advancements have refined methods to augment scratch resistance in acrylic, incorporating advanced coatings and innovative manufacturing processes. Clear protective coatings composed of silica or other hard materials provide an additional barrier against scratches. These coatings chemically bond with the acrylic, ensuring a long-lasting protective shield. Nanoparticles in these coatings make the surface rough at a microscopic level, making it harder for larger, more noticeable scratches to form.
While scratches on acrylic can be buffed out, it is a challenging process. To buff out scratches in an acrylic aquarium, you must drain the entire tank, and you may introduce harmful chemicals or buffing compounds. It will still be difficult to restore the tank to its original clarity.
Glass aquariums, on the other hand, can scratch, but they have a much higher resistance to scratches than acrylic. If you do scratch glass, you will be stuck with the scratch unless you replace the entire panel.
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Weight
Acrylic is a type of plastic. When it comes to weight, an empty glass aquarium can weigh almost twice as much as an empty acrylic aquarium. A 55-gallon glass tank weighs about 78 pounds, while a 55-gallon acrylic tank weighs about 42 pounds. A 500-gallon glass tank can weigh about 1,050 pounds, while a 500-gallon acrylic tank weighs about 600 pounds. The weight of the tank is an important factor to consider, especially for larger tanks, as it may pose problems during installation or if the tank needs to be moved.
Acrylic is a lightweight alternative to glass, and it is a commonly used method of reducing the overall weight of the tank. A filled glass aquarium can weigh up to ten times as much as an acrylic aquarium of the same size. The lighter weight of acrylic makes it easier to move the tank around, even with water inside. For larger commercial aquariums, the lighter weight of acrylic is helpful in design.
The weight of the aquarium is also important in terms of the amount of weight that the floor can support. If you are installing a residential aquarium, you might prefer acrylic because it is shatter-resistant. Glass is scratch-resistant but brittle and prone to shattering when there is a significant impact. Acrylic is flexible and non-rigid, so the tank's design and welding quality are critical to its integrity.
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Durability
Acrylic is a type of plastic, and aquariums made from this material are lightweight and sturdy. This makes them ideal for larger tanks. However, acrylic aquariums are not resistant to UV light, and their panels will eventually turn yellow if exposed to it for extended periods. The more UV lights are used on the tank, or the closer it is to a window, the faster this process will occur. In addition, the panels may become brittle and crack.
Acrylic aquariums are also susceptible to scratching, and even with "acrylic-friendly" scrubbers, one mishap can leave scratches all over. While scratches can be buffed out, the process is challenging and time-consuming. The tank must be completely drained, and harmful chemicals or buffing compounds may be introduced. Restoring the tank's original clarity is difficult.
The strength of an acrylic aquarium heavily depends on the weld rather than the panel's rigidity. As a result, human error is a significant factor in the aquarium's durability. Even a slight oversight during the welding process can lead to air bubbles, compromising the integrity of the tank.
Glass aquariums, on the other hand, are rigid, and their joints are stronger and more forgiving than those of acrylic aquariums. They are also scratch-resistant, although they can still scratch. Glass is also more suitable for smaller tanks and is cheaper. However, glass is brittle and can shatter when impacted, whereas acrylic is shatter-resistant.
Overall, glass aquariums are generally considered more durable than acrylic aquariums.
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Customisation
Acrylic is a type of plastic, and it is the go-to plastic for building aquariums. It is also the preferred choice for custom aquariums. This is because acrylic is more easily moulded than glass, allowing for a variety of shapes and designs. It is also possible to drill holes in acrylic for pump outlets, overflows, or other modifications, without the same risk as drilling into glass.
Acrylic is flexible and non-rigid, which means that the design and welding quality are critical to the integrity of the tank. Even a slight oversight during welding can lead to air bubbles, compromising the whole tank. Acrylic is also more prone to scratches, which can be buffed out, but this requires draining the tank and may introduce harmful chemicals.
The weight of the aquarium is another important factor to consider. Glass aquariums can be as much as 10 times heavier than an acrylic aquarium of the same size. This makes acrylic a better choice for large aquariums, as they are easier to move and require less structural support.
However, there are some drawbacks to acrylic. It is a porous material that can absorb chemicals and deteriorate over time. It can also turn yellow due to UV light, and is more prone to impurities, which can make it less clear. Glass, on the other hand, is scratch-resistant and will remain clear regardless of how much light shines through.
Overall, while both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, acrylic is the better choice for custom aquariums due to its flexibility, lightweight nature, and ease of modification.
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Clarity
Acrylic is a type of plastic, and both acrylic and glass are clear and hold water. However, the clarity of acrylic can vary depending on the grade and brand used by the manufacturer. While glass is scratch-resistant, it is not shatter-resistant and can be challenging to clean. Acrylic, on the other hand, is shatter-resistant and easier to clean, but it is more prone to scratches. Scratches on acrylic can be buffed out, but this requires draining the tank, and it can be difficult to restore its original clarity. Glass aquariums can also be more challenging to shape, and curved glass aquariums can bend light, making the fish appear larger or smaller than they are.
Acrylic is also more lightweight than glass, making it a better choice for large aquariums or custom shapes. Large acrylic fish tanks require thick, expensive panels to prevent bowing in the middle, which can create visible distortions. Even so, acrylic this thick is often prone to impurities, which can further reduce clarity. Over time, acrylic can also turn yellow due to UV light, and no additives can make acrylic stand up to UV light as long as glass.
In summary, while both materials offer clarity, acrylic is more prone to scratches and can be less clear due to visible distortions or yellowing over time. Glass, on the other hand, remains clear but is more challenging to shape and customize.
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Frequently asked questions
Acrylic is a plastic that is stronger than glass against water pressure and resists water damage. It is also lightweight, flexible, shatter-resistant, and easy to mould into different shapes.
Acrylic is porous and can absorb chemicals and bacteria over time. It can also turn yellow due to UV light exposure and is prone to scratches.
Glass is scratch-resistant, non-porous, and typically more durable than acrylic. It is also usually less expensive than acrylic.
Glass is heavy and less flexible than acrylic, limiting its customisation options. It is also more challenging to drill through glass than acrylic.
