You will have a more clear view of your fish with acrylic tanks.

If you want to modify your tank for a sump system or canister filter, drilling into acrylic is easy. You don’t have to worry about cracking or breaking the tank. Acrylic tanks are also very sturdy. In larger sizes, they are less likely to come apart or leak compared to glass.

Glass aquariums, however, have some downsides. They are heavier, harder to modify, and can chip or crack easily. Drilling into a glass tank can break a panel. If this happens, you may need to replace the panel or even the entire tank. Glass can also distort the view of your fish. Its green tint might make brightly colored fish look duller.

Glass tanks also don’t insulate well. You might see higher electric bills trying to maintain tank temperatures with a heater or chiller.

Acrylic fish tanks, on the other hand, have their own drawbacks. They are more expensive than glass and can scratch easily during aquascaping or decoration. Some acrylic tanks may yellow with age due to chemical reactions.

Acrylic tanks need a stand to support the entire bottom, or the weight of the water might cause them to crack. They also require more top support to prevent bowing and spilling.

Glass tanks have benefits too. They are easier to build, as the panels are sealed with silicone. Glass is cheaper than acrylic and is less likely to scratch during setup. For smaller tanks, glass often looks nicer than acrylic.

Acrylic fish tanks, however, are about 50% lighter than glass & provide better insulation. This can help reduce energy costs for maintaining water temperature.