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Starphire vs. Standard Glass

Sduvall81

Sduvall81

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I need some advice in regards to whether starphire glass is worth the extra cost. I've decided to upgrade to a 180 gallon and have gone to two LFS's to get quotes on a 72x24x24 with a 20in synergy reef overflow, two pre-drilled return holes and a black background. The store I've decided to go with gave me a quote of $1800 for standard glass and $2500 for starphire on the front and sides. They use Crystal Dynamics which I was told is who took over Lemar.

My question is the extra cost of Starphire worth it. I looked at samples in the store and it was obvious that the starphire glass was much clearer and did not have the greenish tint like standard glass, however I've been told that when you put water in the tanks the difference is hardly noticeable. I would appreciate any input from people with experience in this matter to help me make my decision if the extra $700 is worth it.
 
It's pretty subjective. I'd see it in person with water if possible. I had starphire on the front panel of my old 140g tank. It was 1/2" glass. In all honesty I can't say it was really worth it in my opinion. Pics along the non-starphire side of the tank looked just as nice as from the front. The starphire seemed to scratch easier as well.
 
Here's a link that shows the values of transparency at different thicknesses between starphire and regular clear glass. http://www.ppgideascapes.com/getmed...0/16398-Monolithic-Data-Sheet-(7083).pdf.aspx. At the lower thicknesses it's almost the same. It's not until you reach 1/2" thick that you see even a 5% difference and even at a full 1" there's still only a 9% difference. To me that's just not enough of a noticeable difference to warrant the extra cost. I feel the same is true about acrylic as far as transparency goes. If you want acrylic because it's stronger and lighter than for sure it's the obvious winner compared to glass, but it's transparency is almost identical to the starphire glass.
 
Good information Flagg, nice to see that it wasn't just my eyes barely noticing the difference in the 1/2" pane.

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If I do a custom tank again I will not select Crystal Dynamic. They got good material but workman ship and detail are just so so.
 
Vhuang168 said:
I'm currently contemplating going bigger with a custom tank from Keith.
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If you go custom and want local, Keith Grandt is the place to go and I would. Only think I do not like Keith is you have to paid the full amount and you don't know where is he but he got all the good feedback and good communicate and his work is top knot. If he do 50% deposit and 50% at delivery that would be great.
 
Depending on the cost of the regular glass vs. starphire glass. I personally cannot notice the different between regular and starphire. Would I pay $100 more to have starphire, maybe. I wouldn't pay anymore than that. I've owned an Oceanic non starphire tank in the past and I own a Keith Grandt tank with starphire glass now, I cannot notice the difference. Both extremely clear to me.
 
I'm the only one that likes starphire? Really depends on what $700 is worth to you tho. It is more clear, and a little softer. I like to think I notice my tank looking more clear than my old one. I also like the not green tint
 
I like Starphire, although I went with Acrylic.
My opinion:
The issue is the green tint, not really the transparency.
Look through it at a moderate angle, not straight in.
Minimal difference below 3/8.
 
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