Are you wondering whether a glass aquarium or an acrylic aquarium is right for you? Then do it tooVietnamese aquatic lifeLet’s learn more about these two types of fish tanks!
Is a glass aquarium or an acrylic aquarium better?
This question is often asked by people when they are preparing to buy a fish tank. Both glass and acrylic aquariums are equally transparent at first glance and both are capable of holding large amounts of water. It’s not until you fish in those two types of aquariums that the difference between the two tanks becomes clear.
We recommend glass aquariums for those who are just starting out and want a tank smaller than 150 gallons (568 liters). And the glass tank is very difficult to scratch. Stillif you choosebellowsAcrylic must be careful to avoid scratches, especially during cleaning.This shows that glass aquariums are more suitable for beginners than acrylic aquariums.
But read moreWhat is the difference between glass and acrylic aquariums?Find out which type suits you best.
Difference between glass and acrylic aquariums
In the table below, glass and acrylic aquariums each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
| TANK TYPE | GLASS | ACRYLIC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Cheap | Expensive |
| Scratched | Hard to scratch | Easily scratched |
| Severity | Heavy | Light |
| Shape | Little variety | Diversity |
| Impact resistant | Least | Good |
| Transparency | Constant | Easily yellowed |
Next, let’s learn more about the differences between glass and acrylic aquariums.
Price
This is quite surprising, but glass aquariums are usually cheaper than acrylic. Since glass aquariums are more popular, that’s why more glass aquariums are produced, which reduces the overall cost.
However, if you buy an acrylic fish tank that is about 150 gallons (568 liters) or larger, an acrylic fish tank will be cheaper than a glass fish tank. Because acrylic is lighter than heavy glass tanks and the shipping fee for acrylic fish tanks will be cheaper.
Scratched
Glass aquariums are much harder to scratch than acrylic aquariums. This is the main reason why we recommend glass aquariums, especially for beginners. Because acrylic fish tanks are easily scratched.
Acrylic fish tanks are susceptible to scratches during transportation, fish frequently touch the tank, swim near the tank or when you clean your fish tank.
Severity
Glass aquariums can be 10 times heavier than acrylic aquariums. When you use an acrylic fish tank, it is much easier to move around the house than a glass tank. When you want to use a large fish tank, you should consider whether the weight the rack can withstand or not. Therefore, choosing an acrylic fish tank is a commonly used method to reduce the overall weight of the tank.
Shape
Glass aquariums do not come in many different shapes. This is why most glass aquariums are square or rectangular. Acrylic, on the other hand, can be easily molded into any shape you want.
Impact resistant
Acrylic fish tanks are much more resistant to impact than glass tanks. Glass tanks can break or crumble when the tank is impacted. But if collisions are a concern, choose a different location for your aquarium.
Transparency
If you install UV lights in your fish tank to help your plants grow, that light will shine on this acrylic fish tank, causing it to become yellow over time.
On the other hand, glass aquariums do not suffer from the same problem as acrylic aquariums and glass aquariums remain transparent when any light shines through.Hopefully the information we bring will help you choose an aquarium that best suits you.
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