1.Tempered glass fish tank
Advantages
High strength: Its impact resistance is 3 to 5 times that of ordinary glass, making it more resistant to bumps and knocks.
Good safety: When broken, it forms granular obtuse Angle fragments, which are not easy to cut (but will shatter instantly).
Moderate price: Cheaper than laminated glass, suitable for regular-sized fish tanks.
Disadvantage
There is a risk of self-explosion: Tempered glass has a self-explosion rate of approximately 0.3% (affected by internal impurities or stress), which may cause the fish tank to suddenly crack as a whole.
Irreparable: Once cracked, the entire glass will shatter into particles and all the water in the fish tank will leak out.
Cannot be cut: After tempering, it cannot be processed again and the size must be customized in advance.
Applicable scenarios: Small and medium-sized fish tanks (generally with a side length of no more than 1.5 meters), side walls or bottoms of aquariums (safety considerations must be taken into account).
2. Laminated glass fish tank
Advantages
Ultra-high safety: The middle is bonded with PVB/EVA film. When it breaks, the fragments will be stuck together without scattering or leaking, preventing catastrophic breakage.
Explosion-proof and theft-proof: Especially suitable for large fish tanks or public places, it can withstand considerable external forces.
Sound insulation and UV protection: The film layer has a certain sound insulation effect and can block some ultraviolet rays.
Disadvantage
High price: The cost is usually more than 1.5 to 2 times that of tempered glass.
Heavier: The multi-layer structure increases the overall weight of the fish tank.
If the film is soaked in water for a long time, it should be noted that if the edge is not sealed tightly, the film may delaminate due to water seepage (choosing professional aquarium laminated glass can avoid this).
Applicable scenarios
Large or extra-large fish tanks (with a large volume of water and a high risk of rupture).
Places with high safety requirements (such as aquariums, shopping mall displays, and environments with children in families).
The front viewing surface of the fish tank (ensure safety).
3. Selection suggestions
Small fish tanks (≤1 meter) : Tempered glass can be used, offering high cost performance and controllable risks.
Medium-sized fish tanks (1-1.5 meters) : It is recommended to use tempered glass on the sides and laminated glass on the bottom and front to balance safety and cost.
For large fish tanks (> 1.5 meters) or public places: Laminated glass is recommended to prevent major losses or safety accidents caused by breakage.
Pursuing ultimate safety: Optional tempered laminated glass (combining tempered glass with laminated technology) offers both strength and safety, but it is the most expensive.
4. Precautions
No matter what kind of glass it is, it is necessary to ensure that the thickness is sufficient (calculated based on the water depth, usually 10-12mm of thickness is needed per meter of water depth).
The bonding process of the fish tank (the quality of the glue and the gluing technique) is more important than the type of glass. It is essential to choose a professional manufacturer.
Ultra-clear glass (low-iron glass) is a common choice, with good light transmittance and can be combined with tempered or laminated processes.
Summary
For safety, laminated glass is preferred, especially for large fish tanks.
When it comes to cost performance, choose tempered glass first. It is suitable for medium and small-sized fish tanks.
If the budget is sufficient and the fish tank is large, tempered laminated glass is the most reliable solution.
