It is possible to work around the disadvantages of glass but it is impossible to work around the fatal flaws of acrylic from sdfbcx's blog

Scratching is a common problem with acrylic aquariums.  

Acrylic is a type of plastic material that is used in various applications.   Even if you use acrylic-friendly scrapers and scrubbers, a grain of grit or sand that gets stuck in your algae scraper or cleaning pad can cause scratches on your expensive acrylic aquarium acrylic surface.   Acrylic aquariums are susceptible to scratching as well, but glass aquariums have a scratch resistance that is significantly higher than that of acrylic aquariums.   Aquariums made of acetate are more susceptible to deterioration and ageing over time than aquariums made of glass.   While scratched acrylic panels on a reptile cage can be replaced, a severely scratched acrylic aquarium can neither be repaired nor replaced.   The removal of acrylic scratches with a cloth is possible, but draining an existing tank and introducing potentially harmful chemicals/buffing compounds into the system is not a practical solution.  .  When working inside a large, custom-designed tank, it can be difficult to buff scratches out of acrylic and restore the material's original clarity to the material.  

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Because of their transparent nature, acrylic aquariums are more prone to manufacturing errors than other types of aquariums.  

In order to maintain the structural integrity of an acrylic aquarium, the design and shape of the aquarium as well as the quality of welding and fabrication must be of the highest possible quality.   The aquarium is much more than just a glass tank with solid panels on the sides and bottom.   Air bubbles can form in acrylic tank joints if even the smallest error is made during the welding process.   This can compromise the structural integrity of the entire tank if even the smallest error is made.   For this reason, because glass panels are more solid than acrylic panels, the joints do not need to be as precise as they would be in an acrylic tank, allowing for more flexibility in design.   As a result of our research, we have come to the conclusion that a glass aquarium has lower failure rates than an acrylic aquarium.  

Acrylic aquariums begin to discolor and become brittle after a period of time.  

Aspects of acrylic that are susceptible to the effects of ultraviolet light include yellowing, which can occur.   It is claimed by many manufacturers that their plastics are UV Resistant.   It is not UV proof, as the name implies, but it is resistant to ultraviolet rays.   There is no acrylic that is resistant to ultraviolet rays.   Aside from glass, there is no additive that can make plastic/acrylic resistant to UV radiation for as long as it does when there isn't glass present.   It is unavoidable to be attacked by an elemental at some point in time.   Take, for example, the image of a faded billboard.  .  .  Most likely, the design was printed on UV-resistant vinyl to ensure long-term durability.   Because it only lasted 5 years instead of 6, it will fade and crack as time goes on.   Aquatic environments exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or aquarium lights will fade and become brittle, eventually cracking and failing completely.   If you have a lot of UV lights or windows in your tank, you'll notice a significant speed increase in this process.  

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Acrylic aquariums are made of a porous substance that allows water to pass through them.  

Many people mistakenly believe that acrylic is a porous material because it is used to store water, but this is not the case.   Acryl absorbs moisture and slowly leaches out the other side, which is not the case as previously stated.   Also implied is the possibility of chemical degradation of acrylic as a result of the presence of bacteria and other microorganisms in an acrylic aquarium or the air, as well as the formation of microscopic growth on the surface of acrylic.   Take a moment to reflect on the years you spent living outside in a filthy plastic container with no running water.   No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to return that object to its original state.   Due to the incorporation of these elements into the substance, it undergoes a permanent change in its chemical composition.   A glass pane, on the other hand, has the ability to withstand the elements for an extended period of time.   It is possible to restore it to its original condition by cleaning it thoroughly.  


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