Acrylic
Acrylic is half the weight of glass.
It's easier to ship, move, and set up your aquarium and any knocks or bumps are harmless to the tank.
Acrylic is several times stronger than glass.It will not shatter, crack, or leak like glass can. Hambani Aquatica will offer a 6 year guarantee / limited warranty on our Acrylic aquariums! You will never worry about a disastrous aquarium leak again. Acrylic is 17 times stronger.
Acrylic distorts much less and is clearer than glass.
If a transparent object is surrounded by another material that has the same index of refraction, then the speed of light will not change as it enters the object. No reflection and no refraction will take place, and the object will appear invisible and without distortion, even at increased viewing angles. In addition to having a slight green tint, glass has an index of refraction that is considerably different from water. Incidentally, clear acrylic plastics have almost the same refractive index as seawater so there is no bending of light as it passes from the plastic into seawater, providing better and brighter colour and sharper shapes in acrylic aquariums. The huge viewing windows in large public aquariums and Oceanariums can be anything from 30cm to 180cm thick, but because they are made of acrylic, they afford a very clear view of the water and ocean life they enclose. Acrylic also allows better penetration of your system lighting, which is especially important for reef systems.
Acrylic insulates better than glass.
Acrylic controls water temperature fluctuations, one of the primary reasons for fish stress, disease, and death. Glass conducts heat and cold causing more fluctuations.
Acrylic seams are stronger than glass.
Acrylic seams are molecular bonds and actually stronger than the acrylic itself. Silicone seams used on glass aquariums can dry out and weaken over time.
Acrylic seams are visually superior to glass.
Acrylic seams are polished and nearly invisible. Silicone seams are clearly visible and have been known to discolour when exposed to certain fish medications.
Acrylic is easily refinished.
If glass scratches it cannot be repaired. Acrylic can be repaired with a variety of scratch removal kits. Even internal scratches can be repaired without removing the fish or water.
Custom formed designs are possible with acrylic.
Acrylic can be formed to create interesting aquarium designs, which you won't find with glass aquariums.
Hambani Aquatica Selection.
We provide the widest selection of sizes, shapes, and styles. If you don't find what you want in our standard line, we'll design a custom aquarium just for you.
Acrylic Aquarium Maintenance
Acrylic aquariums are attractive because of their unique properties; clarity, strength, and versatility. However, they do require special care during cleaning.
Support
ALWAYS use a solid surface to support your acrylic aquarium. Use of a perimeter support stand will lead to sagging and undue pressure on the seams. Use of a perimeter stand will void your Hambani Aquatica Warranty.
Cleaners
DO NOT use any product which contains AMMONIA, ALCOHOL, or ABRASIVES, such as Windex, Comet, Ajax, or other commercial cleaners when cleaning an acrylic aquarium. Use of such cleaners will cause the acrylic to permanently lose its clarity. A soft cloth and water, or a polish made specifically for acrylic, should be used for cleaning. DO NOT expose acrylic to paints, varnishes, turpentine, or their fumes. Exposure to these chemicals will cause crazing and loss of clarity. For regular maintenance HAMBANI AQUATICA recommends cleaners that are specifically designed for acrylic, such as Novus® and Plexus®. Many other cleaners contain chemicals, which will penetrate the pores in acrylic and cause damage, which shows as fine lines or haziness. Plexus® aids in the removal of fine scratches and abrasions and will actually help protect the acrylic from accidental exposure to harmful chemicals.
Cleaning Aquariums with Bleach
On occasions where a complete cleaning is required, such as a change from saltwater to freshwater or after prolonged storage, the use of chlorine bleach can be very effective. 2,5 litres of bleach mixed with 90 litres of water or more is great for sterilization and is perfectly safe for acrylic.
Polishing Clothes & Sponges
Acrylic should always be cleaned with a good quality soft cloth. As a substitute, a soft cotton cloth or high-grade paper towel can be used occasionally. DO NOT use commercial grade paper towels or newsprint. DO NOT use coarse sponges or pads to clean acrylic aquariums. If you do use a sponge or pad, make sure it's designed for use with acrylic aquariums.
Removing Calcareous Algae and Diatoms
Some aquarium growths, such as calcareous algae and diatoms, are very hard and can be difficult to remove with standard cleaning pads. Simply use a plastic card such as a credit card, driver’s license, or plastic putty knife to scrape growths from the acrylic. Using the edge will transfer more pressure to the growth, reducing the work, and because the card is still relatively soft it won't damage the acrylic. Several scrapers designed specifically for use with acrylic aquariums are now commercially available.