Glass Types: Starphire, OptiWhite, and Regular

[scubadude]

Well I have heard that OptiWhite may be the new craze over Starphire glass....OptiWhite is cheaper and just as clear and is suppose to make your corals look alot more flourescent! Heres some pics of all 3 types of glass

Top piece is Regular Glass
Middle piece is Opti White
Bottom Piece is Starphire

Right piece is Reg.
Middle Opti
Left is Starphire

 

[SPC]

Scuba, thanks for the pictures, what do you think about the comparison looking at them in person?
Steve

 

[scubadude]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SPC:
<STRONG>Scuba, thanks for the pictures, what do you think about the comparison looking at them in person?
Steve</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Its VERY hard to tell the diff. between Star and Opti....but if you look close you can definately see the diff. between the Reg. and Opti/Star. Opti is Very New and I didnt want to be the lab rat on the glass....But I suspect it very well could surpass starphire.(cuz of the price)..but starphire is just now getting around so My thoughts after seeing them all is that its worth the extra few bucks to just go starphire....Now if I would have seen two tanks (big ones 180g+) next to eache other w/corals and fish in em...one star, and one opti...then I might have chosen the opti...They are very close...but im just looking at 2 5"x7" pieces of glass not a huge aquarium full of corals/fish etc. etc.

[ October 02, 2001: Message edited by: scubadude ]

 

[Anonymous]

Nice- thanks for the comparison.

 

[henkelsfamily1]

Scuba,

I am in the planning stages of a 340g reef. I want to go with Starphire but the price is outragious. How much cheaper is the Opti White glass? and what is it availability? Thanks for the great info.

Walter
<A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A>

 

[henkelsfamily1]

Forgot to add, your tank ROCKS. I like the closed loop and the coice of the AmpMasters.

Walter

 

[jamesw]

Dude, you're squishing your copy of Aquarium Corals!!! Sacrilege!

Cheers
James

 

[scubadude]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by henkelsfamily1:
<STRONG>Scuba,

I am in the planning stages of a 340g reef. I want to go with Starphire but the price is outragious. How much cheaper is the Opti White glass? and what is it availability? Thanks for the great info.

Walter
<A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A> </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Hi walter

Thanx for the compliment! Here is what I would do if I where you PPG is the company that manufactures the Starphire Glass, They may even be the ones that manuf. the Opti too...Im not sure and my guy that built my tank doesnt know either. Anyway PPG stands for Pittburgh Plate Glass....well hey whadya know thats in your neck of the woods call them up and ask for samples and ask for them to explain everything about Opti White....think about for a few days before calling them...There are alot of issues that need to be addressed...Here are a few

Strength
Clarity
Color affect
Distortion affect
How long has it been manufa.
UV Transmission
Is its sole purpose for aquariums? other purposes?
Ask for vendors in your area...they may even be able to give you Joes Aquarium Builders (example) down the street from you!
and of course ask how much cheaper it is than starphire.

If you have any custom tank manufacturers in your area It might be a bit easier to get this info from them. I doubt PPG will give you prices....they want to leave that up to their whsle accounts. I cant remember word for word but I think I remember hearing that there may be a possibility of distorted looking unevenness when getting Opti in 6'+ pieces.....Dont quote me on that though....Really this glass is supposed to be great! Whoever is the first to get a tank made of it may be admired quite a bit. HTH

 

[simonh]

I know someone here in England who has got the front glass of their new aquarium made of OptiWhite, although I haven't seen any pictures of the tank yet.

In England OptiWhite is manufactured by Pilkington glass and most of the information lists it's use as construction work. Getting hold of the glass yourself and having it delivered to a local glass tank builder maybe the way of getting it done without incurring the aquarium industry mark-up ?

Cost for a 2'x4' piece was in the region of(converted from £ to $) $80-$100 I think.

 

[henkelsfamily1]

"Tanks" for all the info and insight. This road is getting twistier and twistier as I keep planning. I am going to do this one right. If I don't the wife is going to kill me. The new tank in going in a yet to be constructed addition. I am planning a beer/wine/equipment cellar below the tank to house all of the equipment/sumps ect... I will be photo documenting this project and wll keep all posted.

Regards

Walter