Traditionally virtually all fish tank aquariums were made of glass but in the last couple of years the advances in plastic technology spurred a new wave of acrylic tanks on the market. So, is an acrylic fish tank better than a glass one? Many old school fish keepers still swear by glass tanks, but the new generation is embracing acrylic tanks with open arms.
The one is not necessarily better or worse than the other, but they do have some important differences that you might want to keep in mind. Here are the 5 reasons why I like acrylic tank aquariums:
1. Scratching
Although glass is much harder and more difficult to scratch, the scratches are permanent. Acrylic on the other hand is easy to repair when it is scratched. Acrylic polishing kits are available in many places, and these can be used to remove scratches and make your tank good as new.
2. Weight
A filled up fish tank can be heavy, especially when you get to 50 gallons or more. Glass tanks can weigh as much as 10 times more than an acrylic tank. Acrylic is a very advanced material which gives it a lot of strength for very little weight. A lighter tank aquarium means that you can support it on normal furniture (don't need a special stand) and if you have to move it you can.
3. Seamlessness
Glass tanks are made of sheets of glass joined together while acrylic can be molded into a single seamless shape. Not only does this give you greater clarity, but shat slick seamless look is very modern and looks really good.
3. Shape
Acrylic is easily molded and formed into almost any shape. Although glass can be curved it tends to distort the images behind it and you won't get that with acrylic. Acrylic tanks come in a great variety of shapes and sizes to suit virtually any space you have available. You don't need to be confined to the square or rectilinear glass tanks anymore.
4. Strength
Glass is very strong in compression, but because it is so hard it's very brittle. Acrylic is softer and can be twisted without breaking. This makes your acrylic tank aquarium less prone to cracks and even breaks. On top of that, you can even drill holes into an acrylic tank (for overflows) without compromising it's strength.
5. Brightness And Clarity
Most commercial aquariums use acrylic for their windows. This is not because it is stronger, but because the quality of viewing is much better. The science behind it is that glass has a different index of refraction than water which means that the image behind the glass (the fish) is distorted. Acrylic on the other hand has nearly the same index of refraction as water which give the appearance of the fish floating in mid air ? you can barely see the water.
Regardless of your preference, there's no doubt that acrylic aquarium tanks are sexy. They are definitely the in thing and here to stay. The seamlessness, brightness and amazing transparency makes it the ideal solution for a showpiece aquarium that can brighten up any room or office.
There are three mandatory things that just about ever fish tank needs and these include a filter, a heater and lights. The filter is important because it is the thing that keeps the water in the tank clean and clear. Without a filter your fish will suffer from disease and even death and the water will turn cloudy and start to smell.
A heater is necessary because in most cases people put tropical fish in their new aquarium. Tropical fish live in warm water and will not live long in water that has big temperature fluctuations. A heater will keep the water temperature constant which tropical fish like best. Remember to get the right size heater for the size of tank you have. The only exception to the heater rule is a gold fish tank. Gold fish can survive in un-heated water.
Lights are important for a couple of reasons. There are fish that need the extra light to help them thrive and survive. This is especially true in salt water tanks that have corals and anemones. Lights also add to the beauty of the tank, bringing out the colors of the fish and other accessories you may have.
Once you have those three things taken care of how you choose to accessorize your fish tank is up to you. This is a personal decorating choice because for the most part any fish tank accessory you add is there to decorate the tank; they do have a few benefits to the fish.
If you have a community tank with different sized fish it makes sense to provide accessories that provide hiding areas for the smaller fish. With the right selection you can set up your fish tank much like your fishes natural habitat. This will give them the opportunity to interact with their environment just as they would in the wild.
If you are setting up a Cichlid tank then you need to be aware that many Cichlids do not take kindly to to much decoration. They will push rocks around, dig holes in the gravel, and tear up plants that you may put in their tank. If you insist on putting accessories in a Cichlid tank just be forewarned that it may be redecorated the next day.
Finding the right fish tank accessory or accessories is all up to you and what you want your aquarium to look like. Keep in mind that a more natural look will enhance the fish you have and their ability to live like they would in their natural habitat.
Both Deon Plessis & Andrew Bicknell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.