why glass n' not acrylic?

[lance]

hi folks,

a question out of curiosity.

why do most pple use glass tanks instead of acrylic ones?

acrylic is supposed to optically better than glass in clarity. it passes 92% of light while glass passes only 70%

Amano's tanks are also made of glass. wonder if there's a reason for that.

anywhere to buy amano's ADA tanks in singapore?

[Allen_1971]

Not sure... acrylic should also be lighter... One point is that acrylic will scratch easier than glass.

btw, went for your fuji lesson the other day... learnt a bit more on how to use my cam... heheh but still can't take a good shot of my tank ... must be the photographer right?!

[David]

eerhh allen acylic is heavier than glass + more expensive

[Allen_1971]

Issit? muhahah shows how much I know about materials

There you go lance... acrylic is heavier and more expensive...

[David]

actually i didnt know till i custom made my light holder out of acylic.....[]

[globe]

Acrylic will bend when the pressure of the water is great... and glass crack... and shatter...

acrylic get scratch mark if not handle wif care.. glass will crack and chip if not handle wif care...

Glass tank are alot more cheaper compare to acrylic.. and a whole lot heavier too

[Allen_1971]

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On 12/21/2002 1:15:13 AM

Glass tank are alot more cheaper compare to acrylic.. and a whole lot heavier too
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Errr are you saying that glass is heavier or acrylic? It looks like you are saying glass is heavier?

[lance]

I'm more concerned about the clarity of the glass/acrylic.

coz need the tank for photography. better clarity, better pictures :>

any advice. wondering if there's any reason why amano didn't use acrylic?

are the tanks he used, high-index glasses with multi-coating?

[bclee]

Usually in photography, one uses a polarising filter to cut the reflection. No need for multi-coated glass.

BC

[vinz]

I think mainly because acrylic scratches easily... one attempt at cleaning algae of the glass and there goes your clarity?

Hmmm... what's interesting to me is they'll make better transparent covers for planted arowana tanks then glass. More light through, heavier for the same thickness, not gonna shatter if the darn arowana manages to knock it off the tank, less sharp edges.

[lance]

i understand the part about using polarizing filters.

but what's more important is the color tints in glasses... the greenish tints. that bothers me.

so that's why i'm looking for high-index glasses.

[Allen_1971]

lance... if you're looking for high clarity, why not go for tanks made with float glass... As far as I know Juwel tanks all use float glass... but they are more ex.

Heres a link on float glass

[lance]

thanks Allen,

but does anyone knows if this "float glass" has a greenish tint like normal glasses?

i'v been advised to get high-index glass as it is tintless (just like our spectacles.

[Allen_1971]

Lance,

If I recall correctly float glass can be found with or without tint. However, locally I'm not sure what sort is available... in fact most shops which make tanks probably don't even use float glass.