Material for a Saltwater Aquariums

There are a lot of questions buzzing around aquarists on the topic about purchasing the better material for a saltwater aquarium. One reason for the concern is because of the growing demand of building a very own aquarium inside people’s homes. To sum it all, there are just two top materials that are battling it out in the open market – glass and acrylic, and how glass or acrylic saltwater aquariums compare in different areas. The question comes down to whether glass or acrylic saltwater aquariums are the better choice. Truth is, what is better will depend on the person who will buy it and the purposes for why it is bought. For a better view, below are summed up information about whether glass or acrylic saltwater aquariums are better. However, it will be up to you to determine which is better.

Glass – this is, by far, the most famous type of material that is used. Why? Because of its affordable cost. Aquariums made of glass is held together by a sealant made of silicone which allows a stronger bond and expansion when the tank is filled with too much water. Additionally, glass aquariums are known for being resistant to scratch which is good in clarity preservation of the sides of the aquarium.

On the other hand, the disadvantages of glass materials are the advantages of acrylic. Unlike materials made of glass, acrylic enables manufacturers to produce a larger number of different aquarium sizes and shapes. Therefore, if you are deciding between glass or acrylic saltwater aquariums, and you like a non-conventional type of aquarium design, it’ll be best that you settle with the acrylic material. Acrylic also allows easy adjustments intended for filtration. If one wishes that same adjustments be made with glass aquariums, a lot of work needs to be done and tools are needed in order to cut through the glass so that no unnecessary cracks will happen.

Acrylic – in places like bars and hotels, it is more appropriate that acrylic material is chosen. Glass may be scratch resistant but when it comes to a more head-on collision or occasional bumps, it may not handle the contact and result to a liability. Acrylic has the ability to withstand bruises and bumps without even having the slightest crack. Acrylic has also a property that makes it lighter compared to glass. This is an important element to consider especially if you are planning to build a larger aquarium.

In summary, glass has become popular because of its availability, its affordable price, and it is indeed scratch proof unlike acrylic materials. When acrylic becomes scratched, it is more difficult to wipe away and requires more than sanding. Therefore, if the aquarium’s purpose is just for the home and the owner wouldn’t mind having the standardized shape, then glass would be a better choice. But if it’s for publicity, acrylic is definitely the better choice for making saltwater aquarium. Basically, whether glass or acrylic saltwater aquariums are the better choice in material for a saltwater aquarium, it's just depends on location, price, and durability preferences.

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