Choosing a Glass Or an Acrylic Fish Tank
What are the benefits of acrylic fish tanks?
Using acrylic to make fish tanks changed The Aquarium keeping hobby for everybody. In the 1800′s, fish tanks were mainly metal boxes with one side made out of glass. Aquarists could only keep fish from their own region because they were the only ones available, and they had to be fresh water fish because salt water corroded the metal frame that held the panes together.
When silicone adhesive appeared into the picture in the 1960′s, metal frames ceased to exist and gave way to glass and people were able to keep salt water fish in their aquariums.
Then came acrylic. Acrylic is greatly flexible and made aquariums break-proof, unlike their glass counterparts. With glass fish tanks there is always the danger of shattering the glass if stroke with a heavy object, creating a big mess of water and fish all over the place. Acrylic tanks don’t run this danger
The possibilities of design with acrylic are endless. You can turn anything from an old television set to a gum ball machine into a fish tank.
Acrylic fish tanks are very lightweight. Especially if you compare them to glass tanks, acrylic tanks are very light. Of course, when you put the water in it, the tank is going to be very heavy, but the transportation of the tank will be much easier. Acrylic tanks are also very clear. The visibility of the fish will be much better than with glass.
Another advantage of acrylic tanks is the variety of shapes you can find! Bow front aquariums are my favorite. They look so much nicer then regular rectangular tanks. You can get the tiniest tank for your favorite Betta fish or a gigantic aquarium for your wall. I personally like to buy everything separate, but you can purchase a starter kit that has everything from gravel, plastic plants, lights and filters.
Obviously, acrylic aquariums also have their problems.
Acrylic can scratch easier than glass. You have to be very careful when cleaning your tank and use only supplies made especially for acrylic. Scrubbers have to be made of rubber or plastic and never metal. Be very careful not to pick up a piece of gravel with your sponge and scratch the surface of the tank with it.
However, if you accidentally scratch your acrylic tank, there is no need to despair. Acrylic tanks can be repaired. There are acrylic repair kits available.
When you get the occupants for your new tank
Only make sure to buy your fish from reputable specialty fish stores. Fish bought at regular pet shops normally carry diseases and won’t last you long. And, it’s always good to be able to ask questions about their care from someone knowledgeable. Look at the tanks. There shouldn’t be any dead fish floating around. Choose the most energetic fish you see and have the employee give you the one you choose. After all, that fish will be your pet for many years to come.
If you want to read more about keeping a fish tank in your home, visit me at http://www.thefishtankplace.com
About the Author
Rebeca has been interested in animals and Feng Shui for many years and now she wants to share her knowledge of these subjects with people in a very light and personal way. Feng Shui has improved her life in many ways, and her cats and dogs, and the fish that came as a part of her passion for Feng Shui, are now a very important part of her, and she’s very happy to share her experiences with everybody.
Building Large Custom Acrylic Aquariums by Living Color
|
|
Danya B CB1227 Half Round Acrylic Wall Mount Fishbowl Clear 12-Inch $10.95 A unique selection of products of home and garden dÄcor of fine quality at affordable prices. From vases to candleholders, lamps, wall dÄcor, sculptures, birdfeeders and door mats, we are confident you will find more to like with every click of your mouse. It is our aim to provide great quality items, yet moderately priced and stylish in design…. |
|
|
Aquatica Gallery AG-202A5 Magic Globe Fountain Well Aquarium $99.00 Magic Globe Aquarium is a new product innovation that has received numerous international awards – including recent addition of 2010 1st place Best New Product Showcase Winner at the world largest annual pet show- the Global Pet Expo. Starter kit includes:. Diaphragm Pump w/ Magnetic Aqua Brush. Discharge / Siphon Hose. Cleaning Brush. Strainer. Artificial Swimming Toys. Fish Net. Activated Carbon… |
|
|
Wall Mount Fishbowl – Clear $25.99 No one wants to swim with the fishes, but everyone wants to watch them swim. This fish bowl that mounts on the wall is a great gift for anyone who’s ready for the responsibility of owning a pet…. |
|
|
Brillianize Plastic and Glass Cleaning Kit $14.99 America’s #1 rated anti-static cleaner and polish for plastics. The perfect cleaner for cleaning all sorts of plastic and glass products. It not only cleans great but is also Anti-Static which reduces dust keeping things like televisions and and tv screen protectors (which seem to be dust magnets) looking great! Very easy to use; shake container, spray on surface, and rub with the included micro… |
|
|
Brillianize Plastic & Glass Cleaning Kit Everything you need to clean, protect and shine all hard shiny surfaces. Our unique cleaning fluid contains no alcohol or ammonia, it’s safe to use around children and pets! Brillianize leaves an anti-static, fingerprint resistant finish so you don’t have to clean as often. Kit Contains: |
|
|
Aquarium Cleaner Acrylic Wipes 20 ct Nontoxic pre-saturated wipes Harmless to aquarium inhabitants Minimize reoccurrence of fingerprints, water spots and dust Aquarium Wipes Use our non-toxic, presaturated wipes to clean your glass or acrylic aquariums. Minimize recurrence of fingerprints, water spots, and dust. Lint free and anti-static. Safe for fresh or saltwater aquariums. Available in 20ct or 100 ct for glass and acrylic aquariu… |
|
|
Acrylic Sump – Model C3 $219.99 The Model C³ Compact Sump Filtration System delivers optimum mechanical, chemical, BIO-WHEEL classic wet/dry biological filtration. Engineered to work alone or with other freshwater and marine equipment. Features Emperor Cartridge and media basket based mechanical and chemical filtration for ease of use and cost effective media changes, and Emperor Bio-Wheel filtration. Marineland Pro Series 10… |
|
|
Kent Marine 00518 Plastic Pro-Scraper Replacement Blade $1.97 Kent Marine’s all plastic Pro-Scraper will keep your acrylic or glass aquarium spotless. Safely scrapes off coralline algae and even cleans algae out of old scratches. This plastic scraper will not rust and is strong enough to remove coraline algae from most aquatic surfaces…. |
|
|
20inch Tube Light 30 Surface Mount Ultra Bright LED’s, 2045 … |
|
|
5 Gallon Aquarium System $59.95 Experience the underwater life while encouraging responsibility. This heavy duty, leak proof aquarium is ideal for classroom viewing. Includes 5 gallon Plexiglas tank, lighted hood, clear lens cover, fluorescent bulb, power filter unit, sample of fish food and a sample of water treatment conditioner…. |
|
|
All-glass Minibow 1-purple $17.95 The MiniBow 1 features a unique dual bow front so you will have a perfect view of your fish from any angle. The MiniBow kit includes a 1 gallon acrylic aquarium, an undergravel filter system, air pump, airline tubing, air stone and a fully lighted top. Patented base allows you to hide the air pump from sight. Great for Bettas…. |
|
|
Diamond Acrylic Rocks $24.95 Fill your aquarium or flower vase with some decadent, crystal-clear Diamond Acrylic Rocks! Your fish or flowers will be living the luxurious life with these fun, fashionably cut diamond rocks. Display them strewn across tables for functions like weddings, or even on your dining table if you want to feel like a king or queen for a day! Each pack weights 1 lb…. |
|
|
Terrariums & aquariums in acrylics: [design ideas, project plans, step by step instructions] … |
|
|
Handbook of Acrylics for Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers, and Aquaria $182.00 “Handbook on Acrylics for Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers, and Aquaria” summarizes the theories, test data, and work experience accumulated over the years in the design, fabrication and operation of acrylic plastic viewports in submersibles, hyperbaric chambers, and aquaria. This fully illustrated, 1,080 page handbook solves current practical engineering problems in the design of the pressure r… |
|
|
*NEW* AQUARIUMS UNCOVERED FOR BUSY MOMS $4.95 The unique and comprehensive guide to aquariums for “Busy Moms”. Written in our easy to read format without the jargon, this superior publication will answer all those burning questions and includes the following chapters:-Adding An Oyster To The Ecosystem Inside A Saltwater AquariumAll About Care For An Acrylic Aquarium KitAquarium Care For Sand SharksAquarium Care For The Freshwater GuppyAquariu… |
