Salt Water Island Blog

Ultimately, glass tanks are less expensive. But there are definitely some cons with a glass tank. First, they are typically made with metal, and can sometimes have a green tinge to it. Glass also weighs a LOT more than acrylic! The larger the glass tank the heaver it gets! This is why most glass manufacturers don’t make very large tanks. You can have them custom built, but I hope you have a lot of friends or a forklift! Glass tanks are also held together with silicone, so there is always a chance, while rare, that they can leak over time.

Acrylic tanks are made of a crystal clear, cell-cast material. They are lightweight, and the quality is unsurpassed both structurally and visually. The seals are chemicaly bonded together insuring a lifelong, leak proof seal! Acrylic tanks are also usually custom built to order, making it the choice for very large tanks!

With todays technology you can get glass tanks that are made with less metel and are more clear view, called “starfire”. These tanks are more durable and harder to scratch, but if you do scratch a glass tank there is no easy way to get the scratches out. Acrylic tanks scratch easier but can be buffed out, even with the water still in them.

Back to cost. Because glass tanks are mass produced, the price of glass is reasonable. Often 75-200gal tanks are $300-$1100, where acrylic tanks of the same size are typically $580-1300. When you get up to about 200gals is when glass prices go up and acrylic become more reasonable.

So back to glass vs acrylic: If you are looking for a tank that is a standard size, free standing unit, under 200gal; glass may be a more cost effective option for you. If you’re wanting a larger or custom size, and great quality, then acrylic is the way to go! Keep in mind if you are doing an in-wall aquarium, glass tanks are made with a trim piece around the bottom, acrylic tanks are not. A flush edge will usually be more convenient to build around.