![]() Sadly, acrylic is also vulnerable to scratches, so anything from aquarium gravel to a rough sponge could scratch up your plastic tank and make visibility worse.Īcrylic tanks may work better with leaf litter or another soft, organic substrate. Acrylic does not shatter like glass, but it is still a fragile material. Acrylic (plastic) is softer than glass and will scratch more easily. This means your acrylic tank will absorb your fish’s “dirt” more than a glass tank would… kind of like when you put red pasta sauce into a plastic food storage container, and the container gets stained. Glass, on the other hand, blocks rays from UV light and won’t be too affected by the sun (this is why we wear sun glasses to protect our eyes).Īdditionally, acrylic tanks are made of plastic, and plastic is porous. Therefore, an acrylic tank exposed to sunlight (even just the light coming through your window) will turn yellow and brittle over time. Acrylic tanks are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) rays - also known as sunlight. Some problems include the fish tank getting scratched or losing clarity over time. Even the best acrylic aquarium will only last for about 15 years. The vast majority of acrylic aquariums need to be replaced every few years and last an average of five years before they start to develop problems. That’s a long time for a fish tank, especially when compared with acrylic aquariums. A high-end glass fish tank may last for up to 25 years! How Long Do Glass Tanks Last?Īccording to the fish keeping forum, Michigan Reefers, glass tanks last an average of seven to 10 years. Glass tanks stay clearer longer, whereas acrylic aquariums scratch easily and can have a cloudy, yellowish appearance over time. Plastic is also a cheaper material than glass.Īs long as you don’t drop them, glass aquariums last much longer than acrylic tanks. As a result, glass fish tanks can be expensive.Īcrylic tanks are usually less expensive because they are more durable and easier to produce. It also has to be tempered (made stronger) when used for fish tanks. ![]() ![]() Glass is expensive to produce and handle. These questions will help you decide between a glass tank and an acrylic one. If you want a fish tank with a unique shape, for example, acrylic may be a better choice for you, but if you want your tank to be crystal clear at all times, you should go with glass.Īsk yourself how much you want to spend on your aquarium, whether you want it to be heavy or light, and what you want it to look like (rounded corners or lightweight tank). Durability (how resistant it is to damage).When choosing between an acrylic or glass fish tank, you should consider factors like: If you don’t have a preference yet, our blog will help you decide on one! Factors To Consider When Choosing a Tank Both glass and acrylic fish tanks work wonderfully, and it all depends on your preference. Ultimately, the type of fish tank you choose is totally up to you. That being said, acrylic has some unique benefits that glass does not. In fact, acrylic is a type of plastic meant to mimic glass. The debate between glass and acrylic fish tanks is actually a debate between glass and plastic aquariums because acrylic is a type of plastic.
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