2007-04-25 11:55:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
They will leak just as much as glass ones do (almost never)...
I do find that they keep the heat better though...
2007-04-25 11:58:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
If it doesn't leak when you first put water in it, there will be no leak unless you do something to crack it. When they seal the edges of acrylic tanks, it makes a chemical bond and the two pieces fuse into one, unlike glass aquariums that are sealed with, well, aquarium sealant. Over time it dries out a little and starts to harden and shrink, UV rays increase the rate, it gets nicked when scraping, etc.
The advantage of glass is it doesn't scratch easily and insulates better, stays clear. Acrylics don't leak, and if you get a scratch, it can be polished out easier than glass that is scratched. Acrylics are cheaper, especially when you go above 100 gallons because the thickness of glass required goes up greatly, increasing the cost of production, acrylic can stay relatively thin.
Hope this helps!
2007-04-25 12:07:48 · answer #2 · answered by Kenshin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, compared to glass aquariums they are more durable. Since glass aquariums require silicone for sealing, the seal could go brittle or just cause gaps which water can leak through. Acrylic aquariums do not have silicone or need to be sealed because acrylics are "glued" together (using a solvent that "melts" the acrylic and dries back up as a solid. Also acrylics are harder to break throuch compared to glass. This is important especially if you have large strong fishes like pacus that can just ram through.
2007-04-25 12:21:40 · answer #3 · answered by flipnotik 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends on if the tank is made in one piece and how thick the acrylic is. If the tank has seams, it can leak like any other (I had the experience with a custom-made 300 gallon display tank that had to be completely cleaned out and shipped back to the manufacturer for repair)
Smaller, thin tanks get what's called crazing - small cracks within the plastic which eventually connect (and look unsightly until they do).
Acrylic also scratches easier and is more expensive. On the positive site, they're lighter weight, have better visibility, and come in more varied shapes.
2007-04-25 12:14:07 · answer #4 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have one and it's never leaked. But then again, anything without a hole will not leak.
It's personal choice, Acrylic or or glass.
2007-04-25 11:59:34 · answer #5 · answered by The Fish Chick 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Their pretty good,but if you whack it hard enough it will leak.
2007-04-25 12:44:31 · answer #6 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same as glass but scratch easier
2007-04-25 12:03:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
they all leak though the joints
2007-04-25 12:04:35 · answer #8 · answered by elcabong 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋