How to tell the difference between acrylic and glass

Discussion in 'Fish Tank Brands and Kits' started by Peredhil, Sep 10, 2008.

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  1. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    Hi. I picked up my tank second hand and I didn't know anything about glass vs. acrylic.

    So I'm sure this is a dumb question, but how do you tell which one you have?

    :confused:
     
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  3. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    run a razor blade against it if it scratches it acrylic. lol dont actually try this
    acrylic is lighter and clearer then glass.
     
  4. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    Lighter and clearer? :confused: The light part (assuming weight here) - I don't really have a way to check that... it's full of ocean :p

    Clearer? I mean, glass is pretty transparent. How do you get clearer than clear? I feel like I'm being dense, but that is just not clicking in my head.

    Any other suggestions?


    There is one scratch on it - was there before the move. But I don't think that's really a sure fire way of telling... or is it? I have no clue as to what or how sharp a thing caused it.
     
  5. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    acrylic is a little less dense than glass, if you hit it with your finger tip, you will hear a dull, hollow sound, glass has a denser, higher sound, its crude but may help
     
  6. CreepySalt

    CreepySalt Plankton

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    An acrylic aquarium will likely not have any trim and will not be held together by silicone (no silicone in the corners). It would also probably have a top bonded on that has holes cut out for access into the tank. Most acrylic tanks need that top to help support the sides.
    Hope this helps some.
     
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  7. mailforjon

    mailforjon Plankton

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    they sound different when you tap a coin against them.
     
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  9. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    One is plastic and one is glass.. most acrylics have a solid top and have access holes cut out where a glass is open with a center brace. Glass feels colder the acrylic will feel closer to room and warm Tap it will a key and glass will ring and acrylic will sound like plastic bucket . Glass tanks are joind with silicon and acrylics are fused with solvents . The ends on glass look green acrylic are clear..
     
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  10. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    Excellent! I've got glass. Thanks for the tips everyone. very useful thread.