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When you have yourself a little critter or a fish that you need to keep in an aquarium, you will want to keep them happy and healthy as can be. The type of aquarium you buy, glass or acrylic, could make all the difference. There are differences in styles, sizes and shapes that can make or break (pardon the pun) the well being of your pet. Acrylic aquarium positives * Better clarity * Stronger and more rigid than glass * More variety of shapes giving better choices for custom work * Acrylic is lighter than glass * Less prone to cracking * Will not leak * Can be modified very easily to accommodate extra accessories * Higher insulation compared to glass * More commonly available online compared to glass Disadvantages of Acrylic Tanks * Higher cost * They scratch very easily * Difficult to repair * They have a small amount of visual distortion * Acrylic yellows Pros for Glass Aquariums * Multiple sizes and shapes * Last for many years if looked after * Almost scratch resistant * Less expensive * Won't change color * Do not need extra support or bracing * Most popular type of aquarium Glass Aquarium Negatives * Not as light as acrylic so will need a much stronger stand * Glass is brittle which makes it more prone to breakage * Making modifications like holes for additional accessories is very difficult * Not very mobile after it has been filled * Custom work for glass is very limited * Less insulated than acrylic * Not as readily available from online distributors due to its fragility Acrylic aquariums come in more shapes, since acrylic is more easily molded, than glass does. They can be great decoration and conversational pieces, although if you have fish the fancy shapes may not be the prime purchase for you, as they have less air to water ratio (surface air) than glass and the fish may suffocate. If you decide that you are not going to move your tank once it is filled then glass may be the best material for you. Although glass refracts light a little more than acrylic it will not yellow over time giving you a longer lasting experience in the years to come. The glass aquariums are more breakable than the acrylic aquariums, however if you keep your aquarium out of the mainstream of traffic in your home or office, this should not pose an issue. Glass will only shatter if you hit it accidentally or run into it accidentally, after all. With acrylic tanks there are so many different selections and designs available that you really are only limited by your imagination. Don't freak over design decision making just enjoy the experience and if you can't find anything you like you can always get something made exactly to your liking. If you are planning to put a lot of rock, decorations, or water into your tank, you will probably want to stick with a glass aquarium. The acrylics will bow under too much pressure, wherein the glass will only expand and breath to facilitate the added weight. Just keep in mind what your end game is with your pets, and you should be able to choose the appropriate glass or acrylic aquarium to sustain them.
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Horris Temple is an ,a href="http://www.homeaquariumtanks.com/index.php?cPath=7">aquarium tank expert with 15 years of experience in setting up various ,a href="http://www.homeaquariumtanks.com/index.php">aquariums tanks of all shapes and sizes for enthusiasts all over the country.
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