Cutting Glass, but Not How You Think

[DirtDiggler2823]

I'm fairly certain that this is a bad idea, but there is a reason behind it. My 90 gallon has half of its top under plate glass that is built into the tank are part of the bracing, I guess. That glass is nuking my PAR levels for everything under it. I'd like to cut holes in that bracing. I THINK cutting glass while it's under an undetermined amount of stress is a bad idea, but I'm thinking I can apply clamps to the glass to relieve that lateral stress and allow us to do the work. I am not sure though, and that's why I'm posting in here. I need some science to work with, so can someone who really knows glass help me out? The glass is all non-tempered.

 

[Katrina71]

I wouldn't do it.

 

[themcnertney]

yikes.

 

[siggy]

I wouldn't do it.

+1

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

 

[fishface NJ]

I would not cut it

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Need some science here....

 

[siggy]

Those panels keep the front of your tank from bowing outward what ever you try drain the tank down.
If your hell-bent than 3/8" acrylic frame 1 piece for entire top to replace what you have. Save your self the headaches and upgrade.IMO

 

[siggy]

Or place led spot lights on the glass ... some type of lighting upgrade is an option

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Those panels keep the front of your tank from bowing outward what ever you try drain the tank down.
If your hell-bent than 3/8" acrylic frame 1 piece for entire top to replace what you have. Save your self the headaches and upgrade.IMO

Upgrading is in the future. Watch the video I posted as well. The corners are rounded in the front. Right now I'm doing research to see if this is even feasible, but the plan did include bringing the water level down quite a bit before any work was done.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Or place led spot lights on the glass ... some type of lighting upgrade is an option

I'm working on getting LEDs for this tank right now. I think that will help, just not sure how much. Doesn't help that my current lights kinda suck.

 

[siggy]

I saw the video and I see crazing in the corners so it has some use, Spend the time, energy, and money on the upgrade of
tank or lights. I have done more than a few "I CAN DO IT" and now I just get it over with and Pay up front.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I saw the video and I see crazing in the corners so it has some use, Spend the time, energy, and money on the upgrade of
tank or lights. I have done more than a few "I CAN DO IT" and now I just get it over with and Pay up front.

On one side, of course upgrading to a more orthodox build is optimal, along with running LEDs either way, but a huge part of me wants to understand how to do this.

 

[Paul B]

I THINK cutting glass while it's under an undetermined amount of stress is a bad idea,

You are thinking correctly.

 

[siggy]

A lot of guys build acrylic sumps, I built my first sump 15years ago, it leaked of course and I fixed it. Learned a lot.

 

[themcnertney]

It seems as if everyone is saying no, but you're still saying yeah. As if your mind is set and you're going to cut regardless.

 

[GlassMunky]

The fact that the glass is not tempered means that cutting/drilling it IS possible.... but it’s still not a great idea.
those pieces of glass are acting as a way of holding the other walls together without bowing. By cutting holes in it you are making it weaker by it not having as much material pulling against the other glass.

now the fact that a 90G tank was even built in that manner has me scratching my head as 90G Isn’t that big and most don’t need bracing, but I’m not sure how thick your glass is, and most tanks don’t have a rounded edge which makes things want to break more than non-curved glass....

So all in all you’re not going to get a straight forward Yes/No answer. It’s whatever you’re willing to risk on your setup.
good luck

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

It seems as if everyone is saying no, but you're still saying yeah. As if your mind is set and you're going to cut regardless.

I haven't said I was going to cut.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

The fact that the glass is not tempered means that cutting/drilling it IS possible.... but it’s still not a great idea.
those pieces of glass are acting as a way of holding the other walls together without bowing. By cutting holes in it you are making it weaker by it not having as much material pulling against the other glass.

now the fact that a 90G tank was even built in that manner has me scratching my head as 90G Isn’t that big and most don’t need bracing, but I’m not sure how thick your glass is, and most tanks don’t have a rounded edge which makes things want to break more than non-curved glass....

So all in all you’re not going to get a straight forward Yes/No answer. It’s whatever you’re willing to risk on your setup.
good luck

It is a huge risk, with a lot of unknowns. One of the issues I faced when I was building the tank out was that I couldn't find who built the tank to ask questions. It does seem over built, but without being able to speak with whoever built it, I don't have insight into the logic they applied when the were building. The glass is fairly soft, so I believe cutting a hole in those panels is possible, but the how and the risks being question marks is a lot to try to process. Ultimately, I'll probably upgrade the lights, and hope for the best. Maybe when I break this tank down for an upgrade, I'll try to cut then, and do testing with less risk. Or not. No idea.

 

[motortrendz]

If you cut it and it breaks the tank, what will you do, what's the plan? New tank, but can you afford it. I personally wouldnt try it I'd just deal with it best I can till I can afford new tank. Bc an attempt and failure could be a catastrophic blow out.