If you have been wondering about getting a pet fish for your home or office then you have probably been wondering about some type of aquarium tank to put the fish in. Right. Like the type of aquarium you will get. Will it be glass or acrylic, big or tiny. The choice you make will definitely effect the well being of your pet.
Some Advantages of Acrylic
- Better clarity
- Stronger and more rigid than glass
- Better choice of styles allowing for more custom work
- Very light in comparison to glass
- The chances of acrylic fracturing is almost zero
- Resistant to leaking
- Easy to modify to allow for extra equipment
- Higher insulation compared to glass
- More commonly available online compared to glass
Cons of Acrylic Aquariums
- Costly
- More susceptible to scratches
- Difficult to repair
- Certain amount of visual distortion
- Over time cheaper grades of acrylic can turn slightly yellow
More shapes are attainable with acrylic because it is easier to manufacture or mold than glass. This definitely makes for a great conversation subject. An important thing to remember if you do take the fancy design route is that you must make sure that the air to water ratio of the tank is correct. If it isn't then your fish could very well suffocate from lack of air.
This is why your choice of fish tank supplies should be specificly selected for your application so your pets stay healthy.
If you decide that you are not going to move your aquarium once it is in place then glass may be a great material for you. Although glass distorts light a little more than acrylic it will not yellow over time giving you a longer lasting experience in the years to come.
Because glass tanks are not as strong as acrylic ones and are more prone to breakage, it makes sense to keep your marine tank out of the high traffic zones in your home. And unless you throw yourself or something else at it, it's not going to shatter on you.
Some Advantages for Glass
- Lots of different shapes and sizes
- Durable
- Almost scratch resistant
- Cheaper to buy
- Won't change color
- Very strong. Will not flex or bow
- Very popular
Disadvantages of Glass Tanks
- Much heavier than acrylic which in turn will require a more robust stand or table
- Glass is brittle which makes it more succeptable to breakage
- Almost impossible to modify making it hard to add accessories later on
- Tough to move when full
- Less choice when it comes to custom work
- Poorer insulation compared to acrylic
- Less online vendors willing to carry glass
With acrylic tanks your selections for design are limited only by your imagination. Just remember to take your pets needs into consideration by not cluttering the aquarium. Because this can and will affect their ability to flourish.
If you are wanting to put a lot of rock, decorations, or water into your aquarium, you'll probably want to stick with a glass aquarium. This is because glass is less likely to bow under pressure like acrylic.
Just don't forget the most important thing is the health of your fish or pets. Keep that in mind and you will get many enjoyable years out of your aquariums tanks whether it is acrylic or glass.
One choice that is showing to be extremely popular with many new and seasoned fish tank lovers is the biorb fish tank. What makes this a great choice is the fact that it is kind of old school meets new school. It is little enough to fit on top of a table or shelf but large enough to still be a great center piece in any room.