how long does a tank last?

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

I have searched the posts here, at reefcentral,aqualink and a few others and have found quite a few threads concerning glass tanks cracking,seams failing etc, though the largest of these was an AGA 180. The custom tanks I really havent heard of such as they should be manufactured with an extra bit of safety incorperated, but I dont think anyone will deny that barring all things(manufacturing quality,process...)equal, Acrylic is still the safest of the 2 and is astronomically stronger(safer) than glass. Ask the folks in Cali if they have a "large" tank and live on a faultline which would they rather have?? I think 99 out of 100 would most definetly go with Acrylic.

And let me close by asking this: Would any of the owners of small,large, or custom(huge)size glass tanks be willing to let my son throw a baseball at the front viewing panel of your tank?

[ August 21, 2001: Message edited by: Ritteri&Bubbles ]

 

[Len]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ritteri&Bubbles:
<STRONG>I think 99 out of 100 would most definetly go with Acrylic.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You would think ... but in reality, this isn't the case. Almost all the larger tanks (>100 gallon) I know are glass. Go figure.

 

[SPC]

No John, but I also wouldn't let him throw a baseball at yours either.

Steve

 

[esmithiii]

I read a post about a guy who got pissed after his house got flooded in a hurricane and took a baseball bat to his glass tank, which was full at the time and didn't break it. Keep in mind that the glass/acrylic of a full tank is under tension.

E

 

[Ritteri&amp;Bubbles]

Leonard: I think a large reason why many "large" tanks are glass, even custom ones are because of the cost factor, I know many people who opted for larger glass tanks because of just that, cost, they are by far much cheaper. Large Acrylic tanks are serious bucks.

 

[D.W.L.]

When the lfs makes my tanks, the seams are sealed both on the edges before placement and then in the joints, as per normal. Even when purchasing a factory job, we cut the aquarium apart and reseal, like above.

 

[Big R]

Ritteri&Bubbles

What is the difference between a seam and a weld? Isn't a weld still a seam? Def. of seam: junction of 2 edges.

Cost is not the main reason most large custom tanks are glass. Every large custom tank from ORA that I have ever seen has been glass. And beleive me, cost is not a factor in these set-ups!

R

 

[npaden]

On large custom tanks (300+ gallons) typically cost is one of the major determining factors that makes people choose acyrlic tanks (typically large custom glass tanks are much more expensive than large custom acrylic tanks. The other is the weight of the empty tank!

I ended up getting a glass tank for around the same price as acrylic and am very happy with it. The downside was that is weighed around 1,400lbs empty! The upside is that it should be pretty for years to come with no big ugly scratches!

FWIW, Nathan

[ August 22, 2001: Message edited by: npaden ]

 

[M.E.Milz]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

And let me close by asking this: Would any of the owners of small,large, or custom(huge)size glass tanks be willing to let my son throw a baseball at the front viewing panel of your tank?

Of course not

But my condo will have floor to ceiling windows along the length of the walls, and I doubt that the glass that they will use for the windows will be any thicker or stronger than the glass used for the tanks.

As far as choosing glass over acrylic, I think glass can be cheaper and more expensive. I have received quotes all over the board on both glass and acrylic. It all depends on who builds it. The real determining factor for me was the clarity of starphire glass tanks, and their resistance to scratching.

 

[M.E.Milz]

One further thought on the tank failure issue. I am grouping the possible tank failure problems into two categories: 1) leaks; and 2) outright failures.

Although I am concerned about the 1st type, I figure that if a minor leak occurs, that I will be able to fix it (even if it means draining the tank and resealing all of the joints). Even if a leak does not occur, I would imagine that it would make sense to re-seal all the joints every 10 years or so (assuming I have the tank that long).

The 2nd type of problem is what I am much more concerned about. I cannot afford to have 100's of gallons of water cascading down through the condos below me. The potential $$ damage could be huge (a special insurance policy is probably warranted). But again, I have not talked to anyone that actually knows of a complete failure of this type that has happened. If I am wrong about this, I want to know now.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Jason Day]

I just replaced my old worn out acrylic system II with a glass 100 gallon. One thing I noticed was that thetop of the acrylic aquarium was starting to craze from the metal halides that I've had on them.

I talked to one acrylic manufacturer and they said they've known about the long term UV affects on acrylic for a long time.

Acrylic will eventually start to crack from Metal Halides. Ask any manufactuer who is honest and they'll say the same. Granted it might take years but it'll happen.

Certainly not a life time.

Jason

 

[mnonet]

I've got an acrylic 125 that has been set up since 1976 and an acrylic 55 that has been set up since 74. no leaks. However, I've had more than one glass tank spring a leak including in rental apartments. Perhaps a poll would be in order.

 

[Dargason]

Hmm... it seems there are lots of opinions. I personally like the "rare as hens teeth" comment, but I think if failures were really that rare the warranties would be much longer.

Regarding the breakdown of acrylic as a result of UV exposure -- this sounds like yet another reason to have UV shielding on your MH lights.

It also sounds like people generally agree that acrylic tanks are less like to fail catastrophically, although whether or not they leak is still under debate.

I think a poll sounds like a great idea! But to keep it fair, people should say what kind of tank (size, material), how long they had it, and, of course, whether or not they had problems with it.

I have had only 1 tank, 20G high, 6 months, no problems.

Mike

 

[Dargason]

Oh yes, my dad had a 55 gallon glass tank that leaked itself empty overnight. It was only 3 months old!

It was a cheap Walmart tank, though. Don't know the brand. My 20G is an AGA.

 

[Iron]

I seen acylic tanks up for years with halides and still are looking good. Most of the lighting is over open water now over a brace maybe a different story. But both glass and acylic can fail. I wouldn't buy one and worry how long or which one will last the longest. The many other reasons to choose glass or acylic. I know one thing glass in a mid rise condo is stronger than any aquarium but I wouldn't want to move a 300g from condo to condo unless you own the condo then you won't be moving.

 

[Ritteri&amp;Bubbles]

Just to clear things up a bit, I never said that acrylic would never fail, its just less likely, why would all reputable acrylic manufacturers have lifetime warrenties against leaks??? Why wouldnt quality glass manufacturers do the same?? I own an OCeanic tank, quite a few smaller AGA's too, and have yet to have one of those leak, its just for my larger tanks I like the piece of mind on the acrylic, plus I love the looks. I just think overall acrylic is much, much safer from leaks and cracks by far, and if acrylic do start to "crack", its a very slow process, if glass starts a crack, it will spread within minutes, maybe seconds and break, at least acrylic will give you plenty of warning.

 

[Big R]

AGA used to have a lifetime guarantee. It was stopped due to consumer abuse.

R

 

[M.E.Milz]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

It also sounds like people generally agree that acrylic tanks are less like to fail catastrophically, although whether or not they leak is still under debate.

This may be true, but are these opinions based on fact?

Something to consider: I would assume that the vast majority of fish tanks sold are the smaller type sold by pet stores, Walmart, etc. Tanks larger than 55 gallons are probably in the very small minority. Most acrylic tanks are probably of the larger type sold to dedicated hobbiests. Thus, it stands to reason that most "failures" relate to these smaller, dime store type tanks. So there is no reason to beleive that "failures" of larger, quality tanks are any more common than acrylic tanks.

By the way, I don't plan on moving anytime soon.

 

[jaymee777]

One thing worth mentioning. Is the stress factor. Make sure that your stand has adequate support for yout tank. Lack of even, level support of the stand can lead to a fracture where undue pressure is placed on the tank.

Also, anything can happen. I have a friend who has a quality 180 acrylic tank. It sprung a leak. All we can do is mitigate the damage and hope it doesn't happen to us.

 

[NuReef]

I just recently had prices quoted. For a 300 reef ready glass, it was 3K. for the same, in acrylic, it was 2200.

NuReef