Acrylic vs Glass Aquarium – Buyers Guide & Comparisons

This is one of the most common questions for both beginner and experienced aquarists around the world. Which is better, glass or acrylic aquariums? The age-old debate of acrylic vs glass aquariums seems to be never-ending. Today, though, we’re going to try to help you decide.

When you’re looking for an aquarium, you have two choices: glass or acrylic. Glass is one of the most common and easiest to find. However, acrylic is quickly becoming even more popular due to a few key reasons.

As you’re first taking a look at both materials, it may be hard to tell the difference. Both glass and acrylic plastic used in tanks today are crystal clear. Both materials are capable of holding significant amounts of water without issue.

For now, read through some of the biggest pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages to each material type. If you’re on the fence about which is right for you, the pros and cons below should help you quickly decide.

It’s worth noting that most people will never be able to tell a significant difference between the two types of materials. We don’t want you getting overwhelmed trying to decide when most aquarists only use the glass vs. acrylic debate to have something to talk about.

We commend them for keeping the debate going, but if you’re on the fence about buying an aquarium, there’s a couple of rules you can follow to ensure you’re getting what you need.

• The biggest separator between glass and acrylic is the attractive price tag on most glass tanks.
  
  
• Acrylic tanks are known for scratching and hazing.
  
  
• Glass tanks cost less than acrylic tanks and resist scratching and hazing. However, acrylic tanks weigh less than glass tanks and can give you unique shapes. Glass tanks are square or rectangular with sharp edges.
  
  
• Glass has minimal impact resistance, while acrylic can withstand quite a bit of abuse. The clarity on a glass tank is consistent, while acrylic tanks will need regular maintenance to maintain their clarity levels.

This is a fundamental summary of the most significant talking points. However, as we all know, the nuances between each type of tank are as endless as the debates, themselves.

Glass vs. Acrylic Aquariums - The Debate Begins

1. upfront cost (glass wins)

Most beginners are surprised when they hear that glass aquariums are cheaper than the same sized tank constructed from acrylic.

When you compare the two materials, in their raw form, glass costs more to manufacture than acrylic plastic. Acrylic is even cheaper to ship and transport than glass.

However, glass tanks are still cheaper, size for size, than their acrylic counterparts. The reasoning behind this is quite simple…

When it comes to a popular hobby, such as aquarium keeping, glass aquariums are the most popular type of tank. This increased popularity means that more glass aquariums are being manufactured, which helps reduce the overall cost to the manufacturer.

When you reach a specific size, though, the balances begin to tip in favor of acrylic tanks.

Larger tanks are cheaper when they’re acrylic. For instance, if you are in the market for a tank over 150 gallons in size, you’re going to find glass tanks are incredibly expensive. Acrylic, on the other hand, is much more affordable.

This comes down to the weight of the glass, itself. Glass is inherently harder to transport, especially for larger tanks. That increase in cost gets passed onto you, the consumer.



2. scratch resistance (glass wins)

For beginners, one of the best choices you can make is to purchase a glass aquarium. Acrylic is known for being easy to scratch, and one scratch can quickly throw off your view into the tank.

Nothing is more frustrating than spending hour after hour putting together the perfect tank, only to have a scratch happen and pull attention away from your aquascape.

Many times, you may not even get a chance to set the tank up before it gets scratched. A large number of customers have complained about acrylic tanks being damaged while they were being shipped.

Let’s assume that you get your brand new acrylic tank at your door without a scratch on it, though. If you brush up against the tank with the wrong material, like a zipper on your jacket, you could easily find it full of scratches.

You read that right. Merely brushing against your tank with a zipper is enough to leave small scratches in the acrylic. This does not happen with glass tanks.

If your tank is going to be in a high-traffic area, you have pets around, or kids that are moving around the tank, it’s only a matter of time before an acrylic tank gets damaged.

Then, you have to think about the types of livestock you’re going to include in the tank. Some of your favorite tankmates can create small scratches on the inside. Take, for instance, snails. A snail can scratch the acrylic. Sand moving around can scratch the acrylic.

Even though you can purchase kits to help restore the clarity in your acrylic tank, this is often more maintenance than many beginners are willing to do. The last thing you want to do is spend time maintaining the clarity in your acrylic tank when you have to focus on water quality.

When it comes to resisting scratches, glass aquariums are significantly better. It doesn’t take long for an acrylic tank to look beat up and hazy, even with regular use.



3. weight (acrylic wins)

Glass, when you’re comparing tanks of the same size, is always heavier than acrylic. The difference in the weight between the glass and an acrylic tank may shock you.

To give you an example, let’s compare the same two tanks. We’ll look at 10-gallon tanks in both glass and acrylic varieties. The only difference is the materials they’re constructed from.

The glass tank could be upwards of 10 times the weight of the acrylic tank. The extra weight of the glass tank does mean it is usually more durable, but the lightweight acrylic plastic does have a few key benefits of its own.

Smaller acrylic tanks are easier to move around than the same size glass tank. The lighter weight means you can reposition the tank when you want to. This is even with water inside the tank.

When you start getting into the realm of more substantial, custom-built tanks, you’re going to need to start thinking about whether the area you’re going to install it can withstand the weight.

For instance, a larger glass aquarium will need a significant stand to hold its weight. You will also need to ensure that the floor underneath the tank can withstand the pressure. Acrylic tanks weigh significantly less, so you’re able to get a bigger tank on the same stand without worry.



4. variety (acrylic wins)

Glass tanks are known for two shapes: square and rectangular. If you’re okay with the standard forms, the glass aquarium may be all you ever need.

If you want something more custom, though, acrylic is the only way you’re going to get it.

Glass cannot be shaped and formed while still maintaining the qualities that make it stronger than acrylic. Acrylic, on the other hand, can be heated, flexed, shaped, and molded into different shapes.

If you want a round, circular tank, acrylic can deliver. If you want a tank with a bowed front, acrylic can provide. Acrylic can be molded into pretty wild shapes, so the different designs you’ll find can be as endless as the artist’s imagination.



5. durability (acrylic wins)

Pound for pound, when it comes to durability, acrylic will always win. Think about how many glasses you’ve broken in your life. Now, think about the same plastic. How often are you dealing with broken plastic compared to broken glass?

With some acrylic, you can strike the plastic with a hammer, and it will not budge. You might scratch it, possibly even crack it, but it will still be left standing.

Do the same thing to a glass tank, and your aquascape is going to be sitting on the floor surrounding you. Glass is known for chipping, cracking, and breaking.

If you’re going to install your aquascape in a high-traffic area or have to be concerned with pets and children moving around it, you may be better suited with acrylic over the glass. Acrylic has proven to be more durable.



6. view clarity (glass wins)

To understand clarity, look at the windows in your home or vehicle. The glass is designed to remain crystal clear and let light in.

For acrylic, though, ultraviolet light can damage the plastic. The acrylic beings to become dull and develop a yellow haze.

For some aquariums, this can be a significant problem. If you are maintaining a planted tank or a coral tank, you may need to supplement ultraviolet light to keep your plants and corals happy and healthy.

That means you’re building in a lighting system that will cause your acrylic tank to degrade, become fragile, and develop an unattractive yellow haze.

Now, some manufacturers are creating “ultraviolet light-resistant” acrylic tanks, but you need to understand that even those tanks will discolor eventually.

Glass does not face these same issues. Regardless of how you have your glass tank set up, you will not have to worry about ultraviolet light affecting its clarity.



7. customizations (acrylic wins)

One of the best parts of building your aquascape is being able to customize it to exactly what you’re trying to achieve.

Glass aquariums are relatively straightforward. You can install extra equipment, but you’re generally required to use magnets and suction cups to secure it.

Acrylic, on the other hand, allows you to drill holes into the plastic that lets you create custom routing options for your tubing and equipment. This enables you to keep the gear out of view so that it doesn’t take away from the appeal of your aquascape.

Even with tempered glass, if you attempt to drill through it, you’re going to end up cracking the tank. Most people are not experienced or skilled enough to drill through glass without breaking it or costing themselves even more money.

So, Which Is Better? Acrylic Vs. Glass Aquariums

While we would love to be the final answer to this debate, we know the debate is only going to rage on without us. The decision on acrylic vs glass aquariums and which is better dramatically depends on what you intend to do with your tank.