Joel is my friend so take this for what you will. When he first started building tanks I went into the shop, saw a system, and said how sweet he was. He pointed out every flaw. Some of which I could not see. The he told me how he was going to take the tank apart and redo it. I couldn't even see everything he was talking about. He redid it. Then again.
Joel is a perfectionist. I respect him for it, because I am the same in my work, but honestly I don't even see everything he is talking about, I've been in the hobby for 8 years.
I have purchased other things from Joel that he has special ordered for me. If ever there was a problem, Joel would fix it. Like literally take the skimmer apart, repair the seals, switch out a pump, etc, etc, etc an hour later I was good to go. Point being Joel stands behind his deals. I wouldn't worry about it. When I do business with Joel, there is no worries, he always stands behinds his deal beyond what most others would.
Joel putting Waves up for sale, makes me want to buy everything I plan on getting "soon" so I can get it while he is still there. He stands behind stuff that much IME.
Beyond that glass over acrylic every time, especially if all the holes are coming predrilled. I have been so careful with all of my acrylic tanks, I swear my 34g has scratches from sand that gt caught in the flow. Seriously.
Andy, I know what you speak of. Hence you never see pictures of my acrylic tanks