Aquarium fish tank: Glass material alternatives

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the exploration of alternative materials for constructing aquarium fish tanks instead of traditional glass. Participants consider various options, including both transparent and non-transparent materials, and discuss the implications of using different substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether transparency is a requirement for the tank walls.
  • One participant suggests that both transparent and non-transparent materials can be evaluated for aquarium construction.
  • A participant expresses skepticism about the necessity of the question, suggesting that the inquiry may lack sufficient detail regarding specific structural requirements.
  • A former professional fish raiser lists various materials used for fish containers, including wood, metal, concrete, fiberglass, glass, and numerous plastics, emphasizing the importance of material safety for fish.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential toxic effects of certain materials on fish, with a recommendation to conduct bioassays to test material safety.
  • Another participant mentions PET as a clear and inexpensive option for tank construction, questioning the shape and capacity of the tanks being considered.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that alternative materials can be evaluated, but there is no consensus on the specifics of which materials are most suitable or the requirements for the tanks.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not provided specific details on the intended use or structural requirements of the tanks, which may influence material selection. The discussion includes varying levels of expertise and assumptions about the context of the inquiry.

prashantakerkar
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Can there be alternative materials for Aquarium fish tank instead of glass?

Example : Stainless steel, Aluminium Plastic, Concrete etc

If yes, which materials can be evaluated?
 
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Do you need the walls to be transparent?
 
Thanks.

Both options can be evaluated.

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
prashantakerkar said:
Both options can be evaluated.

What options are you referring to? Please try to write more than five words in your posts.
 
Thanks.

Both options to be evaluated for constructing Aquarium fish tank as a alternative to Glass material.

1 Transparent material
2 Non Transparent material

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
I don't understand what you want. Can a non-glass material be used as a fist tank? Of course. I have a bucket in my shed that I can use as a fish tank. This is such a trivial question that I can't fathom why it even needed to be asked, so I have to assume that there's more to this question than you're telling us. Please elaborate on your question. Are you making a large fish tank with specific structural requirements, or are you just wanting to put some fish in a tank on your shelf at home? Or something else? Without knowing more details we can't help you.
 
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As a former professional fish raiser (for research purposes), I have seen fish containers made out of;
wood
metal
concrete
fiberglass
glass
numerous plastics
liners with any of a number of support materials to hold it up
clay lined holes in the ground

The thing is that to be successful, you have to have things sized properly for the fish and you should check you materials for toxic effects on the fish (some can be corrected).
This can be done with a bioassay, which depending upon your intended use could be quick or time consuming.
In my numerous bioassay tests, I have found about 1/3 of of rubber and plastic materials had strong negative effects on embryonic and larval zebrafish. These effects can vary between materials that are the "same" but made by different manufacturers. They can also vary from lot to lot.

To avoid the bioassay, use standard materials from reputable sources that are intended for your use (aquarium or aquaculture suppliers).
 
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prashantakerkar said:
Both options can be evaluated.
PET is clear, cheap and is blow moulded to make clear water bottles, if they do not have flat faces. Can you use a round tank like a big water cooler bottle?
What capacity and what shape should the tanks be?
How many thousand tanks will you be building?
 

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