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Well, since I'll have to buy a new tank.... *sigh*

I have 20 pound cats that throw themselves at the tank. Right now I have an acrylic 5 gallon bowfront, and it's held up pretty good for two years.

I can only fit about a 5 to 7 gallon tank on my desktop. (It's housing a betta, so a taller, larger tank wouldn't be ideal).

Any ideas? Input from personal experiance? How easy would it be for the cats to crack a glass tank? They're not destructive, it's just that the betta loves to tease them.

Thank you!

You have a 20 pound cat in a tank!?? Wow...I don't know what to say...You can get a custom made tank with thick glass if you are putting a big fish like that back in. I really don't know what to say...sorry...How big of a tank are you looking for?

-Josh

jmara - I think wodesorel really means a Cat, not a cat fish

wodesorel - we have a 24 pound cat but gladly we don't have a 5G tank (only bigger ones). Did the cat damage the existing tank, and if so, how?

Glass tanks are pretty sturdy, you could try it. Having one custom made might be more expensive, but would for sure increase the stablilty (thicker glass).

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

My glass one is 3 years old and has no scratches or cracks in it at all and has a lot of fish in it. But my friends plastic one cracked after 2 years and water went every were

Glass is better if you ask me. Though they're usually pretty steady, acrylic tanks are a bit more e to warping or bending over time, which can create problems. Also, they're easier to scratch. I'm sure that a cat with claws (even if just the back ones) can leave marks on the outside of the aquarium. I like glass tanks more than acrylic overall.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

That's a good call...Sorry I was in the fish mindset It was late last night when I read it...lol

-Josh

For a small tank like that, glass will be perfectly fine. In fact, I'd be more worried about the cats knocking it over than breaking the class by ramming it. I have some big, fat kitties, too, so I understand where you're coming from. They love to drink fishtank water better than filtered water from their bowl, so they're always hovering around my tanks.

If you were getting a big tank, like 50 gallons ro more, I'd say go with acrylic, because it is stronger, is slightly flexible so it handles impacts without shattering, and there are no silicone seals to come loose because all of the joints are molecularly bonded. Acrylic tanks are pretty cool, IMO, but for a little desktop tank, go with glass. And make sure you have a good cover for it!

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

Hi,
I have cats as well, they "supervise" me while I clean
my tank, and one of them goes "fishing" while I have the top
off and walk away. I have always had glass tanks.
It takes a lot of work to scratch a glass tank and neither
myself nor my three growing boys and their "helping" nor
the cats have ever scratched or damaged my tanks.

On the other hand, Glass tanks are heavier than plastic
and have seams. On the other hand, plastic tanks are
scratched very easily. Care must be taken when cleaning
the surfaces, both inside for algae, and outside to remove
dust/dirt, and water spots. Just shifting the gravel
around inside will scratch the plastic.

Personally, I'd go for glass.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Even with claws, they've never seriously scratched the plastic. I just have to wipe the nose prints off every few days.

I don't think it was the cats that caused the problems with the acrylic tank. I'm using a different filter than what it camed packed with, and I think the force of the water is what's making it warp.

The reason why I'm looking for a smaller 5-7 gallon is because the tank I have now is wedged in the corner of my room on the back corner of the desk. I have trouble moving it when it's full! Something about the same size will do just as well.

I have yet to find a nice glass aquarium that is that small other than the 7 gallon All-Glass aquarium. I've been reluctant to buy it because I don't need the kit, I just need the aquarium! We don't have an lfs within about an hour of my house. Are there any good places I can check online for tanks?

If your cats are giving you problems with the tank buy Boundary spray. Just spray it around the tank (about 3 feet away) and your cat wont go near it (also works on christmas trees). Also try to make loud noises or bangs when your cat gets near the tank that will discourage any fishing.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

I have trouble moving it when it's full!

I really can't believe that someone hasn't jumped all over that statement

An aquarium should never be moved, no matter how big, when it is full. They are not made to be moved like that. Actually I've cracked an acrylic aquarium moving it when it was not even half full.

-Josh

"I have yet to find a nice glass aquarium that is that small other than the 7 gallon All-Glass aquarium."

I'm not sure about online sources for tanks, but I can tell you that All-Glass Aquariums makes a five and a half gallon rectangular fish tank, and I bet that Perfecto does as well. Five gallons is in the range you're looking for, and these tanks are pretty cheap. You should be able to find one in an area store, or at least order one in. Most pet shops are more than happy to bring in a specific tank size if you ask them, and will not charge extra. After all, they're just getting it as they would any other tank, unless you're looking for something out of the ordinary (double bowfronts, etc.).

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."