New Tank

[Chris.d514]

Greens.

[mnemenoi]

Cool deal, what type?

[Chris.d514]

So I got 3 more corys at petsmart for $1 each.

[Complexity]

I've wondered for a long time if the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers were safe for tanks while fish were in them. Thanks for confirming this!

But to be sure... make sure you get the kind without embedded cleansers. There is a bathroom variety that does have cleansers in it that I'm sure would be deadly. I don't think they make this clear on the outside of the box so I didn't want anyone using one of them by mistake.

[LooksLater]

We use an acylic pad, but I fear we have determined sand is our enemy with such arrangements...

Exactly, sand getting trapped in the pad has scratched I don't know how many of our tanks... All of them?? Sigh.

[LooksLater]

i was kinda concerned about the eclipse acrylic that i just bought but after doing some research i tried the mr. clean magic eraser. it cleaned coraline algae off the inside with no scratching and is completely non toxic so it can be used even in water with animals inside. i havent been using it long but its something to think about. i love the way acrylic looks and i just put acrylic panes on the top instead of the glass ones...much more light is getting through now

Oh wow, I've heard of using Magic Eraser when the tank is empty, but not filled &inhabited- good to know you've had no problems doing that so far...have you tried it with any shrimp/inverts? I'd love to be able to use those, I use Magic Erasers for practically everything else.

[mnemenoi]

We use an acylic pad, but I fear we have determined sand is our enemy with such arrangements...

[Totenkampf]

i was kinda concerned about the eclipse acrylic that i just bought but after doing some research i tried the mr. clean magic eraser. it cleaned coraline algae off the inside with no scratching and is completely non toxic so it can be used even in water with animals inside. i havent been using it long but its something to think about. i love the way acrylic looks and i just put acrylic panes on the top instead of the glass ones...much more light is getting through now

[Bedlamer]

the lighter aspect was noted by the op.

Thanks, I missed that. As a ballpark rule how does the price of a low iron glass tank (1 or 3 sides) compare to an acrylic tank of the same size?

I went to a marine aquarium photography workshop the other day--they mentioned using acrylic trays to take top down shots (great for clams etc.) are those commercially available or is that something you have to fabricate?

Sorry for the slight hijack btw.

[eklikewhoa]

No better way to get you motivated and moving in the right direction than to have a bit of fire lit behind your arse.

[mnemenoi]

Indeed, I have learned everything I know from trial by fire!!!!

[eklikewhoa]

You could just play dumb and go forth, that has worked out for many with great success!

[mnemenoi]

I love the complexities of our hobby, and you thought it was such a simple question eh Chris?

[eklikewhoa]

the lighter aspect was noted by the op.

glass = glares when taking pictures
acrylic = easier to manipulate when taking pictures

[Bedlamer]

glass = easier to clean since it's not so easy to scratch
acrylic = gotta be careful when cleaning to keep from scratching
glass = once scratched not easily removed
acrylic = able to buff out scratches

pretty much it.

Wait there is more.

acrylic = a better insulator
acrylic = lighter material, therefore easier to move a tank of the same volume.
acrylic = better optically (or course you could go with low iron glass for less distorted color, but then its more expensive and scratches easier than regular glass

acrylic = can thermo form it into more unusual shapes more easily
acrylic = can bond one sheet to another forming huge panes.

All that being said I would only ever buy a glass tank as I would have the acrylic one scratched up the first day I had it.