Broken rear glass panel

[Lost in the Sauce]

I grew up near the Chicago area but now live in Southern Indiana.

Thats what I was thinking, thats why I posted in the DIY section. I could of started it differently cause I asked if people thought it was worth it even though I was gonna do it anyways no matter what they thought lol. Kinda just figured people would wanna follow along to see that big of a tank rebuilt. I always see we live in a walmart world, if its broke throw it away and buy new. Not me I like messing with stuff and repairing things. Might be why I was a motorcycle mechanic and now an Industrial maintenance tech.

You've got this!

Tips:

90* corner clamps are cheap and Worth it is you don't have them already. I glued wax paper to the clamping face we be able to remove everything easily in case some silicone got on it.

Your old set of feeler gauges from your mechanic world will be your friend when you need to cut the seams. I found the thickest one that would work, and was able to cut apart every seam on a tank in under 30 minutes.

Have fresh razor blades and plenty of them. I went through an absurd amount.

I started with an old 29g tank. Turned it into this frag tank.(currently in use as QT)

It's not hard, people are just scared of work they Don't Know How to do. Don't let their fear dissuade you.

$150 on the tank is a good price. Have you considered replacing that panel with low iron glass and using it as the front now?

 

[Funston07]

No 3/8 is small I agree, i would use a hand cutter on that if I had too and just score the line a few times. I thought a 220g was 1/2- 3/4 because my 120 is made from 3/8

Sorry I meant to say 1/2" not 3/8ths. The thickness of glass used on aquariums is dependent on the width usually. Thats where your gonna get your pressure rating for and it also depends on the trim style. This having both top and bottom trim and being 24" 1/2 is plenty 3/4 would be a little overkill. I was just got mixed up when we were talking about cutting tools only being for 1/4 but I've cut 3/8ths.

 

[Goaway]

Sorry I meant to say 1/2" not 3/8ths. The thickness of glass used on aquariums is dependent on the width usually. Thats where your gonna get your pressure rating for and it also depends on the trim style. This having both top and bottom trim and being 24" 1/2 is plenty 3/4 would be a little overkill. I was just got mixed up when we were talking about cutting tools only being for 1/4 but I've cut 3/8ths.

You can do it! Just give it enough cure time

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Sorry I meant to say 1/2" not 3/8ths. The thickness of glass used on aquariums is dependent on the width usually. Thats where your gonna get your pressure rating for and it also depends on the trim style. This having both top and bottom trim and being 24" 1/2 is plenty 3/4 would be a little overkill. I was just got mixed up when we were talking about cutting tools only being for 1/4 but I've cut 3/8ths.

I’m rooting for you buddy, show these reefers what can be done when you use your hands not your wallet!

 

[Funston07]

You've got this!

Tips:

90* corner clamps are cheap and Worth it is you don't have them already. I glued wax paper to the clamping face we be able to remove everything easily in case some silicone got on it.

Your old set of feeler gauges from your mechanic world will be your friend when you need to cut the seams. I found the thickest one that would work, and was able to cut apart every seam on a tank in under 30 minutes.

Have fresh razor blades and plenty of them. I went through an absurd amount.

I started with an old 29g tank. Turned it into this frag tank.(currently in use as QT)

It's not hard, people are just scared of work they Don't Know How to do. Don't let their fear dissuade you.

$150 on the tank is a good price. Have you considered replacing that panel with low iron glass and using it as the front now?

Your tank looks like it came out nice. Yeah I already got the clamps and everything I need. Even the silicone spacers that major tank building companies use. Gonna assemble it with clamps and spacers so I can do the silicone injection method. Honestly after I picked it up I was originally planning on replacing the back panel but then it dawned on me I could slap the front panel on the back and get a sheet of low iron for the front. Once its done it will look like a brand new tank somebody would spend 2k on at any of these reputable tank builders.

 

[Tamberav]

I don’t see how people saying it should be cheaper then 200 dollars means they throw everything away. I am a big on repurposing furniture and aquarium stuff. Very rarely do I ever visit Walmart. Maybe when I can’t find some chicken wings as they usually have it.

My baby changing table is an aquarium stand I repainted and re-did. Someone posted it for free or they were going to turn it into firewood. It has great storage under and can someday make a great frag tank stand. It’s solid wood someone built by hand and not some cheap particle board crap. All it needed was a little sanding and paint and some new hardware.

I just don’t see the connection between value to someone and living in a throw away world. I live near Chicago so obviously tanks are readily available here hence why I go ehhhh 200 dollars.

The fact that I see damaged tanks posted for free or very cheap and people often do find a new home for them means nothing is being thrown away. Just given away.

When I started this hobby. Two of my tanks were given to me free it and it was awesome as I was fresh into college and college poor I later passed them on to others for free.

Clearly the value is different where the OP lives so it probably makes sense to buy it but it’s kind of dramatic to assume others are simply living in a buy new and throw away world. The hardware section is full of used items and tanks being resold.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Your tank looks like it came out nice. Yeah I already got the clamps and everything I need. Even the silicone spacers that major tank building companies use. Gonna assemble it with clamps and spacers so I can do the silicone injection method. Honestly after I picked it up I was originally planning on replacing the back panel but then it dawned on me I could slap the front panel on the back and get a sheet of low iron for the front. Once its done it will look like a brand new tank somebody would spend 2k on at any of these reputable tank builders.

Why r&r both panels when you can only do one, and turn the tank around, and come away with the same result?

 

[Funston07]

Why r&r both panels when you can only do one, and turn the tank around, and come away with the same result?

The entire tank has to come apart. Im basically stripping the tank and rebuilding it from scratch. The seals are old and best way to remove that big of a panel is removing the bottom pane. Once you do that might as well strip them all down, clean old silicone off and redo the entire tank. I would hate to just remove the back pane and replace it then 2 years down the road one of the side panels start leaking. I wanna plan on doing this once and only once lol. Its going in my basement and its very heavy. Once its in place its staying there. So I just feel like I might as well rebuild the entire thing. Im sure you could get away with just replacing a single pane and not doing the rest of the tanks seams but i dont wanna chance it on that size of tank.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

The entire tank has to come apart. Im basically stripping the tank and rebuilding it from scratch. The seals are old and best way to remove that big of a panel is removing the bottom pane. Once you do that might as well strip them all down, clean old silicone off and redo the entire tank. I would hate to just remove the back pane and replace it then 2 years down the road one of the side panels start leaking. I wanna plan on doing this once and only once lol. Its going in my basement and its very heavy. Once its in place its staying there. So I just feel like I might as well rebuild the entire thing. Im sure you could get away with just replacing a single pane and not doing the rest of the tanks seams but i dont wanna chance it on that size of tank.

With that new information yes I believe you're on the right track! Please either keep this thread updated with your progress or make a new build thread for it. I know a lot of people would like to watch and learn from what you're doing.

 

[Goaway]

Any pics yet?

 

[Funston07]

With that new information yes I believe you're on the right track! Please either keep this thread updated with your progress or make a new build thread for it. I know a lot of people would like to watch and learn from what you're doing.

I'll definitely start a build thread on this. Until then I'll keep this thread updated and then once the build thread gets started I'll post the link in on here so you guys can find it.

Any pics yet?

 

[Goaway]

Awesome dog. and a big tank! It'll be nice seeing the project move along.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Is that 72*24*30 tall?

If it were me I'd be going 30 front to back in 24 tall on the resack.

 

[Funston07]

Awesome dog. and a big tank! It'll be nice seeing the project move along.

Thanks, she's an old english bulldog that's 90lbs so gives ya a small size reference to how big the tank really is.

Is that 72*24*30 tall?

If it were me I'd be going 30 front to back in 24 tall on the resack.

Those are the dimensions. I've also thought about doing that but a few slight problems arise. One I'll have to get the one 72in panel cut down to 24" tall the one im ordering won't be a problem obviously but then secondly I'll have to have a new top and bottom trim made. It's still a possible option though. I'm gonna see what a new custom trim would cost me to be able to go that route though. I would much rather have a 30" wide than a 30" deep

 

[Goaway]

Thanks, she's an old english bulldog that's 90lbs so gives ya a small size reference to how big the tank really is.

Those are the dimensions. I've also thought about doing that but a few slight problems arise. One I'll have to get the one 72in panel cut down to 24" tall the one im ordering won't be a problem obviously but then secondly I'll have to have a new top and bottom trim made. It's still a possible option though. I'm gonna see what a new custom trim would cost me to be able to go that route though. I would much rather have a 30" wide than a 30" deep

If you go 30 wide, won't you need a new bottom glass piece as well?

 

[Funston07]

If you go 30 wide, won't you need a new bottom glass piece as well?

Oh yep didn't think of that one honestly. Sounding more and more of staying 30 deep and 24 wide. I'm gonna do t5 lighting anyways so lighting wont be a problem with that depth just maintenance will be a little more of a pain.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Thanks, she's an old english bulldog that's 90lbs so gives ya a small size reference to how big the tank really is.

Those are the dimensions. I've also thought about doing that but a few slight problems arise. One I'll have to get the one 72in panel cut down to 24" tall the one im ordering won't be a problem obviously but then secondly I'll have to have a new top and bottom trim made. It's still a possible option though. I'm gonna see what a new custom trim would cost me to be able to go that route though. I would much rather have a 30" wide than a 30" deep

You're planning on reusing the trim?

I've never heard of a successful way to get that off in one piece.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

If you go 30 wide, won't you need a new bottom glass piece as well?

Yup!

Good catch.

 

[Funston07]

You're planning on reusing the trim?

I've never heard of a successful way to get that off in one piece.

I've gotten a few off successfully without breaking them but I have also broke a few. Best way is use a painters multi tool and go along both the inside and outside edges. Then slowly lift in small sections to break the last bit of silicone bonding it to the rim. Just gotta take your time.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I've gotten a few off successfully without breaking them but I have also broke a few. Best way is use a painters multi tool and go along both the inside and outside edges. Then slowly lift in small sections to break the last bit of silicone bonding it to the rim. Just gotta take your time.

Beast, I broke/bent trying on a ten gallon. A little heat gun on the putty knife can be really helpful against the silicone.