Compare weight factor: acrylic vs. glass
|
tank size |
acrylic tank weight empty (lbs) / laborer needed to lift (person) |
glass tank weight empty (lbs) / laborer needed to lift (person) |
acrylic tank weight full (lbs) |
glass tank weight full (lbs) |
weight difference between glass and acrylic tanks when full (%) |
| 55 | 42 / 2 | 78 / 2 | 589 | 625 | 6.1% |
| 93 | 88 / 2 | 170 / 2 | 993 | 1075 | 8.3% |
| 118 | 120 / 2 | 215 / 2 | 1305 | 1400 | 7.3% |
| 170 | 160 / 2 | 295 / 3 | 1845 | 1980 | 7.3% |
| 230 | 200 / 2 | 370 / 4 | 2330 | 2530 | 8.6% |
| 265 | 250 / 3 | 460 / 5 | 2690 | 2950 | 7.8% |
| 500 | 600 / 5 | 1050 / 8 | 4900 | 5350 | 9.2% |
Compare other factors: acrylic tank vs. glass tank vs. AquaVim seamless curved glass tank
| sighted seams from viewing | scratch concern | transparency and "aging" | forming styles | material cost | manufacturing difficulty | water holding strength | distortion | |
| acrylic tanks | glue on seams is nearly clear but effects view | high, can easily get scratched from algae- cleaning | very clear when new but become foggy over time. Strong lighting and detergents could also make it "yellow" or "fogged". | highly designable because of plasticity of acrylic nature | high | not difficult, requires no sophisticated equipment. | strong because its seams are molecular bonds | Minimum |
| convention glass tanks | glue on seams is unclear and severely blocks view | low, less likely to get scratches | less clear than new acrylic but clear enough for viewing pleasure. Tank glass stay clear for life. | less designable due to lack of heavy equipment and technology | low | difficult, but requires no sophisticated equipment | fair. however its 8 seams depend on careful, highly skilled glue work | May slightly distorted but does not effect use and view |
| AquaVim seamless curved glass tanks | seamless, giving unobstructed view | low, less likely to get scratches | Stay clear life-long. It's standard tank glass is more clear than most other manufacturer's, and it's custom-made Ultra-clear tank glass is extremely clear | highly designable. Variety of shapes can be formed through AquaVim's glass bending technology | very
high |
very difficult, and requires large-scale equipment and extensive know-how | strong because of use of thicker glass and because its tanks have only 3 seams compare with 8 of other's. | Minimum. A few models with sharp-turn curves may slightly distorted but does not effect use and view |
How clear is the glass of AquaVim aquariums?
The glass we use for our tanks is specially made to surpass our competitors, therefore is clearer than glass used by most other manufacturers. We can also custom-make using Starphire, or Ultra-clear glass to meet your perfectionism. See the difference below:
Shown above: Side views of three 1/2" thick panes of each of the three glass grades. The three dark panes in the middle are the standard glass used by most other aquarium manufacturers, the three pieces on the right are the standard glass used by AquaVim®, the three pieces on the left are Starphire® or UltraClear glass that we can use for extreme hobbyists.
* All weights, sizes, and other information provided above are based on approximate estimates of materials generally used in manufacturing of aquariums available on the market. Weights of aquariums may vary from one manufacturer to the other.