| The
best option is acrylic...
The material
of choice for many who prefer its aesthetics
and many of its installation advantages.
Acrylic components usually point out
that the best can be said of glass
systems is
that they are initially less expensive.
But glass tanks do not retain their
value. This
is not the case with acrylic. I’ve
seen many acrylic tanks sell for more
than their original after years of use
Why do acrylic aquariums hold their value
relative to glass? They are stronger, resist
breaks and leakage, offer better thermal
insulation (especially important with systems
that are consistently kept warmer or colder
than room temperature), and are clearer,
lighter and simpler to move. No
one will argue with the fact that acrylic
is much easier to handle and modify
for filtration and water circulation
fittings
by drilling or cutting. No hobbyist
would attempt to drill filtration-fitting
holes
in a large, expensive glass tank – special
tools and glass working experience
is required for that job. (Professionals
usually drill
the glass before assembling the tank.)
On the other hand, a hobbyist and friend
can easily maneuver an acrylic aquarium,
and drilling is easily within the skill
range of any handy person. While both glass and acrylic can be scratched,
with acrylic you can remove such scratches.
The same cannot be said of glass. Acrylic tanks are molded, cast, and fabricated
into some amazingly beautiful shapes. A
functional acrylic system that is a breeze
to maintain and a sight to behold for 20-plus
years is a better investment, to my mind,
than a glass system that is much more susceptible
to leakage and breakage.
For
ease of setup and maintenance, prevention
of evaporation, and retention of long-term
value, acrylic tanks are hard to beat for
marine use.
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