Cracked back panel glass!

[Pickleowl]

So my heart is heavy right now, I got a great deal from a guy on a 120g with tank stand and lights for $500..
Tank is 48x24x24 and was drilled right in the middle of the back panel and it cracked right there moving it..
Has anyone tried replacing a glass panel? How hard was it? Costs?
If it's possible to replace this panel cheaper than buying a new tank then of course I'd like to but I'm not feeling good about that..
Anyone with any experiences with this? What did you do?
Thanks..

 

[Matthew Frost]

I'm pretty new at this whole game but have done a fair amount of research on this topic and the impression I have been given is this isn't a "shade tree DIY" kind of operation and should be performed by someone who has a fair amount of experience. I'm fairly handy and I would pass on this kind of work, just wouldn't feel comfortable putting that much water behind my own silicone repair skills.

 

[Triggreef]

I've replaced glass on a few but the biggest I have done it on is a 29g. It's a little time consuming and the hardest part would be getting the rim off the top. If it's rimless then I would say it would be much much easier. But I don't think there's too many rimless 120's around.

Silicone does not bond to old silicone at all just FYI so to replace one panel, you will have to remove all silicone form every inside seam. Not where the panel adheres to another panel though, just the part you can scrape with a razor. once that is done, silicone the new panel in place and then reseal all the inside edges at once. Won't be a cheap or fast repair. Plenty of youtube videos to learn from.

 

[Dom]

A few pictures would be helpful.

Where replacing a glass panel is concerned, I did the bottom of an Aqueon 90. It was a lot of work but it can be done.

Removing the plastic without damage takes some time. And separating the panels was pretty easy with a fine piece of wire and a razor. Most time consuming was cleaning the glass of old silicon.

Putting it back together was a breeze. And it has been in use for almost 3 years since the repair!

So don't panic yet. It's likely you will be able to salvage it.

 

[KJAG]

A few pictures would be helpful.

Where replacing a glass panel is concerned, I did the bottom of an Aqueon 90. It was a lot of work but it can be done.

Removing the plastic without damage takes some time. And separating the panels was pretty easy with a fine piece of wire and a razor. Most time consuming was cleaning the glass of old silicon.

Putting it back together was a breeze. And it has been in use for almost 3 years since the repair!

So don't panic yet. It's likely you will be able to salvage it.

I've done it, and its a nightmare no matter how you slice it. A dremel with a sandpaper bit works well to quickly remove excess silicone from glass, while roughing it up for a new bead. Personally, I'd never do it again and would scrap it completely and start a new build. Just my 0.2. But yes, it can be done.

 

[Jeepguy242]

man, i hate that for you....

good luck whatever you decide....

 

[Pickleowl]

I can get a new tank for 450 locally, and a new piece of glass is 150.. so tempting to try it to save 300 but that is such a gamble.. can't find any LFS that will do it or any place that can do this work so looking like a new tank is the answer but hate every bit of this,, it's a lose lose for me.. is there a market for reptiles or anything that would buy a 120 with a cracked back pane? What else could i do to try and recoop some money?

 

[Jeepguy242]

I can get a new tank for 450 locally, and a new piece of glass is 150.. so tempting to try it to save 300 but that is such a gamble.. can't find any LFS that will do it or any place that can do this work so looking like a new tank is the answer but hate every bit of this,, it's a lose lose for me.. is there a market for reptiles or anything that would buy a 120 with a cracked back pane? What else could i do to try and recoop some money?

Plenty of people will buy it for a reptile tank. Silicone a peice of acrylic across the whole back glass in Black for a background and tell them about the crack. Someone will buy it

 

[Big G]

I've replace broken glass panels before. The hardest part is removing the old silicone and broken glass without cutting yourself. Heavy gloves and good tools are required.

 

[Pickleowl]

Plenty of people will buy it for a reptile tank. Silicone a peice of acrylic across the whole back glass in Black for a background and tell them about the crack. Someone will buy it

Thanks everyone for your input and advice, think I'm gonna try the reptile tank route and hopefully get something to help pay for a new tank..

 

[Pickleowl]

Does anyone have a good source or place to get the plastic trim on tanks?

 

[Dom]

Does anyone have a good source or place to get the plastic trim on tanks?

glasscages.com

 

[Pickleowl]

Thanks Dom.. I posted this and went surfing for anything I could find and sent them an email,, came back and saw your post,, then received an email from them today saying they could custom one for me but in 2 pieces so I was a little worried about that so I asked him his thoughts about it.. His response was they "glue the 2 pieces together with thick acrylic which is probably stronger than the 1 piece frame"..

Sounds good anyway, and he quoted $60.. any thoughts on 2- 48" pieces being glued together to make a 48 x 24 for a 120g?

 

[Gareth elliott]

Thanks Dom.. I posted this and went surfing for anything I could find and sent them an email,, came back and saw your post,, then received an email from them today saying they could custom one for me but in 2 pieces so I was a little worried about that so I asked him his thoughts about it.. His response was they "glue the 2 pieces together with thick acrylic which is probably stronger than the 1 piece frame"..

Sounds good anyway, and he quoted $60.. any thoughts on 2- 48" pieces being glued together to make a 48 x 24 for a 120g?

Is glass cages frame braced? Im assuming the tank is or is something like the Deep blue 120g. Theres a top and bottom brace across the center.

 

[Pickleowl]

Yes my tank does have a center brace,, I'm assuming theirs will only because on their website they say their 48" frames have a center brace and he said they would be gluing 2- 48" frames together.. but thank you, I will clarify that tomorrow..

 

[cracker]

I'd think the hardest pat would be easing the plastic frame off. However Glass Cages can replace it. 300 bucks? Hard call.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Still be very careful taking the frame off even if you are ordering another. I was unframing a 10 gallon and cracked the glass. If it doesnt come off easily, continue cutting the silicone.

 

[Pickleowl]

Taking mine off took alot of time and sweat and it still came off in pieces.. I didn't try any blade or putty knife to slide up and cut silicone as all the silicone was on top of the glass and the frame pressed down on top so it wouldn't have done any good..
I took a piece of 1x4 hard wood and slide along glass and pounded it off, worked really well for about half of it then I couldn't do anything to budge it in 2 areas and snap it went,, maybe more patience would have benefited me there.. All glass in good condition though..