Is Acrylic Safe For Fish Tanks? A Comprehensive Guide

When deciding between glass and acrylic for your fish tank, it’s important to consider their respective advantages and drawbacks. Glass is excellent at resisting scratches, providing a clear view into the tank, but it can be brittle and prone to shattering upon significant impacts. On the other hand, acrylic aquariums are a preferred choice in situations where durability is a concern, as they are more impact-resistant and less likely to shatter than glass. However, it’s worth noting that acrylic can accumulate scratches over time, but the advantage is that these scratches can be buffed out with relative ease, whereas scratches on glass are permanent and cannot be repaired. Therefore, your choice between glass and acrylic should be based on your specific needs, taking into account both their protective qualities and scratch resistance. This information is accurate as of June 19, 2017, and may still apply in current aquarium technology.

Is it possible to use acrylic for a fish tank lid? Plexiglass and acrylic sheets have a tendency to warp over time when used as tank lids. However, if the lid is relatively small, you can prevent warping by adding ridges. For example, I have successfully used an acrylic cover on a 2.7-gallon tank by incorporating ridges at the front and back, which helps it stay flat. It’s worth noting that this approach requires some fabrication skills. Alternatively, if your primary concern is preventing fish from jumping out of the tank, using a mesh lid is a viable option. This can be a simpler solution compared to working with acrylic. [Note: Information as of April 7, 2021].