Replacement Glass on 135gallon with rim

[mandi29221]

Hi I got a free 135-gallon reef ready drilled tank. Problem is its completely scratched. I'm resealing the tank regardless. I need to know what the dimensions for the glass panels would be to order the glass. It takes 2-3 weeks. My tank is 72inches long, by 18 wide by 24 high. My issue is the rim on the tank. can someone help me. we already built the stand, but I just can't live with a scratched tank.

 

[Jason_MrFrags]

You are going to have to take the whole tank apart and remove ALL the silicon. Then silicon it all the joints back together. Typically you will have to replace the frames as well.
Not suggested if you haven't done one before.

 

[cilyjr]

If it is empty you can polish out the scratches with cerium oxide

 

[mandi29221]

You are going to have to take the whole tank apart and remove ALL the silicon. Then silicon it all the joints back together. Typically you will have to replace the frames as well.
Not suggested if you haven't done one before.

I'm not resealing it a friend of the hobby is. I do understand how the process works though. I will figure it out by myself. btw my husband is removing the silicone.

 

[mandi29221]

If it is empty you can polish out the scratches with cerium oxide

I'm 100 percent sure the amount of scratches would never come out.

If it is empty you can polish out the scratches with cerium oxide

This is literally 6 inches of the front glass... You are saying that will remove all scratches?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi I got a free 135-gallon reef ready drilled tank. Problem is its completely scratched. I'm resealing the tank regardless. I need to know what the dimensions for the glass panels would be to order the glass. It takes 2-3 weeks. My tank is 72inches long, by 18 wide by 24 high. My issue is the rim on the tank. can someone help me. we already built the stand, but I just can't live with a scratched tank.

Your tank is a standard 150g and when I had my LFS, I was able to easily order replacements for customers. Check with saltwateraquarium.com and Aqua Cave.com

 

[mandi29221]

Your tank is a standard 150g and when I had my LFS, I was able to easily order replacements for customers. Check with saltwateraquarium.com and Aq

Your tank is a standard 150g and when I had my LFS, I was able to easily order replacements for customers. Check with saltwateraquarium.com and Aqua Cave.com

it's a 135g. huh.... I am looking for the dimensions on the front glass panel.

 

[mfinn]

I'm 100 percent sure the amount of scratches would never come out.

This is literally 6 inches of the front glass... You are saying that will remove all scratches?

I have to chuckle when I see people suggest polishing out a glass tank with alot of scratches ( even a just a few )

I scratched a new tank that I built myself using low iron glass.
I am not an expert but I would think low iron glass would be easier to polish out, right?
Anyway I bought a kit with buffing pads and 2 buffing compounds and put in about 6 hours working on one area that was about 12" x 20" in the front that had the most scratches. Cleaned it up and looked, and could see every single scratch still there. I went back the next day and put in another 6 hours.
In 12 hours total I really didn't make much of a dent in the total number. Maybe 10%-15% at best.
So unless you are a skilled glass worker and know what you are doing ( I guess I didn't ) I would say go with total replacement.

 

[vetteguy53081]

it's a 135g. huh.... I am looking for the dimensions on the front glass panel.

I thought I saw 150g . Yours is closer to a 125g and will need to know make as there was Oceanic, marineland, O'dell and perfecto 135g tanks

 

[mfinn]

it's a 135g. huh.... I am looking for the dimensions on the front glass panel.

I'm assuming you have the tank with you. Can't you take a tape measure and measure it?

 

[mandi29221]

I'm 100 percent sure the amount of scratches would never come out.

This is literally 6 inches of the front glass... You are saying that will remove all scratches?

I think he used a bad razor blade, or a glass magnet with sand in it. idk but i found glass shops near me and it not entire expensive to get a new one since we are resealing the tank, silicone looks bad on the edges.

 

[mandi29221]

I'm assuming you have the tank with you. Can't you take a tape measure and measure it?

yes its 72inches long by 18 wide, and 24 high

 

[mandi29221]

I have to chuckle when I see people suggest polishing out a glass tank with alot of scratches ( even a just a few )

I scratched a new tank that I built myself using low iron glass.
I am not an expert but I would think low iron glass would be easier to polish out, right?
Anyway I bought a kit with buffing pads and 2 buffing compounds and put in about 6 hours working on one area that was about 12" x 20" in the front that had the most scratches. Cleaned it up and looked, and could see every single scratch still there. I went back the next day and put in another 6 hours.
In 12 hours total I really didn't make much of a dent in the total number. Maybe 10%-15% at best.
So unless you are a skilled glass worker and know what you are doing ( I guess I didn't ) I would say go with total replacement.

When I say this tank is scratched. It's like beyond help lol. I agree. I've seen friends use compounds and it NEVER helped. This is my last tank upgrade for like 10 yrs. I'ma replace it. Reseal, new front glass. Cost like 225$ so I'ma just eat that cost for a drilled tank.

 

[mfinn]

When I realized what I had done to this brand new tank that I had just built and that the scratches were not coming out. I walked away from the tank. Set it out in a storage shelter and left it for 5-6 months.
Then one day I moved it back in my work shop and filled it up with water and I couldn't believe it, You really had to look to see the scratches. With the glass clean, they were almost invisible.

Have you seen your new tank with water in it?

 

[mandi29221]

When I realized what I had done to this brand new tank that I had just built and that the scratches were not coming out. I walked away from the tank. Set it out in a storage shelter and left it for 5-6 months.
Then one day I moved it back in my work shop and filled it up with water and I couldn't believe it, You really had to look to see the scratches. With the glass clean, they were almost invisible.

Have you seen your new tank with water in it?

Not yet, but every 6 inches is about 20 scratches. I rather do it right the first time to for it to be in my house and ticking me off. ADHD I would hyper forces on it. i thought about switching back glass with front glass and it's the same. I think the guy knew how bad it was so giving it to me for free.

 

[mfinn]

Not yet, but every 6 inches is about 20 scratches. I rather do it right the first time to for it to be in my house and ticking me off. ADHD I would hyper forces on it. i thought about switching back glass with front glass and it's the same. I think the guy knew how bad it was so giving it to me for free.

Got it.
So I would look for a new top and bottom rim.
Then start taking apart the glass. I've heard guitar strings work for this. Maybe some silicone softener.
Get the replacement glass and be sure and have a couple buddies help you.
Momentive 103 and 108.

 

[mandi29221]

Got it.
So I would look for a new top and bottom rim.
Then start taking apart the glass. I've heard guitar strings work for this. Maybe some silicone softener.
Get the replacement glass and be sure and have a couple buddies help you.
Momentive 103 and 108.

Yeah I'm ordering the rim frame in a few days. Ording the glass as soon as I know the exact dimensions. Then once all glass panels is cleaned up I will take to our friends house and my husband and him are resealing it. So it's less of of a headache on our friend.

 

[mfinn]

Yeah I'm ordering the rim frame in a few days. Ording the glass as soon as I know the exact dimensions. Then once all glass panels is cleaned up I will take to our friends house and my husband and him are resealing it. So it's less of of a headache on our friend.

Good luck.
You should do a thread detailing every step.
Pictures, lots of pictures.

 

[mandi29221]

Good luck.
You should do a thread detailing every step.
Pictures, lots of pictures.

 

[mandi29221]

I agree. I mean the first picture of the stand would make everyone cringe. The center bracing on the stand broke just by my husbands hand putting tiny bit of weight on It. I'm so excited for the upgrade, but I absolutely hate this part of the hobby the phases of upgrading to the part of thriving. I know the first 1yr is always hell.