glass question

[tiredfish]

my lanlord wont let me have a huge tank..so im wantin to take my 55 gallon and make it smaller.the tank is made by that all-glass aquariums company(i think thats the name). so...i wan to take it and cut it ...and make it 32"long 14" high and 14" width...it will be something like 27 gallons. i dont think personally i can cut it straight..so can a glass cutter guy say at like ace hardware cut that kind of glass for me ... i think its tempered glass or maybe its not...any input into this would be helpfull..thanx

 

[tropicalfish]

I wouldn't cut it. Because it is A: Probably tempered glass, and B: Aquarium glass is incredibly thick.

 

[Guest]

Tempered glass doesnt cut well, it shatters. The bottom of your tank is most likely tempered glass. Why would you want to ruin a good 55 gal? 30 gals are relativley cheap. Trade it or store it instead.

 

[tropicalfish]

Sell it on EBAY!

 

[melosu58]

I think it will be alot more trouble than its worth. I would find out what his definition of huge is. 55 is not huge but if he wont let you just buy a smaller tank. It will be cheaper than what you are planning on.

 

[BillD]

Don't do it, buy or swap for a smaller setup.

 

[tiredfish]

i want to customize without spending any monies at all....i wanted to do an acrylic set up...but i dont wanna spend anything. im thinkin maybe i can cut the side panels of glass and replace the bottom peice with a thicker non tempered glass. i cant buy a tank that fits what i want. and when i say huge tank...i meant huge..too big for my landlord to be compfy with. i know what a big tank is. and to ruin a good 55 gal...it was free and i dont like it..lol. anyways..if i decied to do this and i cut JUST the side panels to my liking...how would i make the edges like not sharp. i suppose i could put some sort of edging on it..and try to make it look not too tacky. anyways..when i do this i take pics and show you either my success or doom.

 

[jsoong]

.how would i make the edges like not sharp.

You sand it down after cutting. My local glass place use a diamond coated sanding belt on a belt sander for the job. You can also get them to grind you a decorative edge (but that would be expensive - the one I checked charges $1-2 & up per linear foot).

With the high cost of glass cutting & edge grinding, I don't think it would be too cost effective to remake the 55 gal. You might be better off selling the 55 & buying pre-cut panes of glass to make your new tank.

 

[fish_4_all]

I would find someone that will trade for a smaller tank. No fuss that way and both you and the other would get what you want without worrying about cutting glass. I have done it and I did ok, took a lot of silicone to seal it but it was small. I will have someone cut it for me in the future.

 

[GlitcH]

I assume your lanlord won't allow the 55 cuz of weight.
I would leave it as is and just use the tank for a paludarium instead.........less water equals less weight.

 

[tiredfish]

i live in an old house turned into an apartment. he wont have it becuz of the weight and mainly because i live up stairs and for something to go wrong and it leaks...well hes just being cautious ..which i dont blame him. i havent started my project yet..but when i do..i will take pics...im thinkin imma end up just going with acrylic.. i wanna do a sump deal. ive sold the 55 gal and i have this crappy 30 gal here i might waste. just to mess with..laterz all..thanx for the replys.