Crystal glass vs starphire glass

[mengyang_neo]

Any bro out there know what is the different between Crystal glass and starphire glass? And is there such a thing as china made crystal glass? If so is there a different between them and maybe crystal glass from other country? Cause from my understanding, there is quite a big different in price between china made Crystal glass and high grade starphire glass. Is there china made starphire glass also? Sorry for a lot of question, kind of confuse here.

[serravorte]

signing up too...

wanna know the diff also..

mabb going for a new tank..

[Harlequinmania]

Starphire glass is a brand of lead free and low iron contain glass . When you see across the edge of the glass it has a blue tint similar to crystal glass but the clarity is much better than the normal crystal glass. But it is also one of the more expensive glass in the market. Some said that it bring out the full natural colors of corals especially clams,,,

Another option is to go for acrylic but it need to be taken care of carefully since it tend to get sketches more easily than regular glass.

[mengyang_neo]

Starphire glass is a brand of lead free and low iron contain glass . When you see across the edge of the glass it has a blue tint similar to crystal glass but the clarity is much better than the normal crystal glass. But it is also one of the more expensive glass in the market. Some said that it bring out the full natural colors of corals especially clams,,,

Another option is to go for acrylic but it need to be taken care of carefully since it tend to get sketches more easily than regular glass.

I see, and is it true that china made crystal glass is cheaper? Or china made one is crystal glass and other country made one is starphire glass so the price difference?

Yup acrylic is another option but for big tank like 5ft, I think the cost of making one is far more ex then tank with full starphire glass. I never check out the price but this is what I thought. =p

[Harlequinmania]

China make crystal glass is definitely much much more cheaper elsewhere. But some said that there is a different in the clarity due to the content in the glass if you make a comparasison on the glass between a china made crystal and other but again it is very hard to tell with our naked eye unless we do a lab testing..

[comycus]

I have seen both grades before. As Larry has pointed out, not discernible with the naked eye at thinner glass unless you are building a big tank using like 3/4" thick glass and above. There is a slight yellowish cast in the Chinese crystal glass in this case.

[LittleBurger]

China make crystal glass is definitely much much more cheaper elsewhere. But some said that there is a different in the clarity due to the content in the glass if you make a comparasison on the glass between a china made crystal and other but again it is very hard to tell with our naked eye unless we do a lab testing..

I think it depends on the vendor whether honest to tell customers if using china made or others.

So long the vendor don't pass off china crystal glass as "ang mo" crystal glass, I'm ok with them telling the truth, just dun smoke. If I find out later..... I'll provide free ads for the company.

Lots of stuff now cheena made. So sometimes very very difficult to scrutinize them. My opinion is so long it is gd quality, country of origin is not an issue.

So far I've searched & found that asahi is 2nd rated glass as compared to low iron glass. I know starphire glass is a brand name for low iron from the web....

So visually, can one differentiate asahi glass & low iron glass, maybe from the sides, low iron looks clearer?

Thanks!

[comycus]

Based on what I know, asahi glass, Japanese grade 1 glass, float glass all refer to the normal glass we see, slight greenish cast. Maybe different brands from different manufacturers so all have different names. To me, they are all the same.

Crystal glass, starphire glass, low iron glass refers to optically superior glass. Again may have slight differences between them, but to me they are pretty similar.

I may be wrong, so if there are glass experts out there, can point out the finer differences to what I have broadly classified as 2 categories.

[mengyang_neo]

Hi guy thanks for the reply, now got a better understanding of the difference between the glass.

[sunny03]

Hi guy thanks for the reply, now got a better understanding of the difference between the glass.

when changing new tank ...

[mengyang_neo]

Soon.

[LittleBurger]

Hi guy thanks for the reply, now got a better understanding of the difference between the glass.

Thks to yr thread & bros who chip in their knowledge. I know what to look out for and paying the "reasonable" price for it.

[weesy74]

Also looking to make a new tank soon, so what is the reasonable extra cost compared to a normal tank? Also can we mix glass i.e the crystal on the front only to cut cost?

[youdontnowm]

Yes u can make only the front crysttal glass.

For my 4x1.5ft , its 60$ add on for cystal

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[weesy74]

Does the tank look less green? Worth doing or no difference?

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[james72]

Absolutely worth doing especially for front view. The colours of corals will appear differently under normal glass

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[youdontnowm]

+1. Worth it.

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[Aquareef123]

Go Fish Channel take a look. U will be amazed by the crystal glass. I'm tempted also

[markymarcus]

Used crystal glass for my front panel. No regrets! If it's a single panel it isn't too expensive in relation I guess.

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[markymarcus]

Used crystal for my front viewing panel. No regrets! It isn't that much more in relation if you think about it too.

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[adrian_ych]

Ok....I think this is much misunderstanding.

Starphire glass

- low iron glass. cost ard 10% to 15% more than normal glass (in large qty esp for buildings or skyscrapers).

- preferred as let in more light (up to 30% for ultra clear) therefore works well with UV solar applied (not so dark)

- no crystal rocks involved

- edge is clear (glass is slightly green, sapphire is blue)

Crystal Glass

- alternative to crystals (used in making table ware or cosmetics containers)

- barium oxide, zinc oxide, or potassium oxide are employed instead of lead oxide.

- Lead-free crystal has a similar refractive index to lead crystal, but it is lighter and it has less dispersive power

- cost compared to glass is more than 35%

- safety issues raised with long-term use (for food and drinks)

Sapphire

- very costly

- used in making watch faces

[pandagold]

Are they softer and scratches easily for both glass ?