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new tank

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by TimT, Nov 28, 2013.

  1. Nov 28, 2013 #1
    TimT Belle Plaine

    TimT

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    I have some old windows from work that I replaced so I took the glass out of the frames. Going to give it a shot and try to build my own tank. Ftom the dimensions of the windows it should be right around 96 gallons. Keeping my fingers crossed everything turns out ok.
     
  2. Nov 28, 2013 #2
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    How thick is the glass?
     
  3. Nov 28, 2013 #3
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Will window glass work? Im not sure because of glass thickness and material. Plus older glass isnt super clear. Thatd be awesome if you can do it but id be to nervous. Haha what are you goin to use for braces?
     
  4. Nov 28, 2013 #4
    TimT Belle Plaine

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    1" double pain glass. The glass itself is relatively clear with no argon gas in it. I figured since I get these constantly I'd try it out as an experiment and give it a shot. I'm just worried since its double pain that it will fog up.
     
  5. Nov 28, 2013 #5
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    Yikes! A 96 gallon tank should have at least 3/8" thick glass the windows probably had 1/8" or 1/4" glass in them. If you build one out of it I would defiantly not build a tank that large.
     
  6. Nov 28, 2013 #6
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    Even if the glass is double pane each sheet is probably only 1/8" thick and even you leave them together the water pressure will only push against the inner panel. The outside panel will add no strength in terms of holding the water pressure back since their is a air space between the two panes.
     
  7. Nov 28, 2013 #7
    TimT Belle Plaine

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    You're right. The glass itself is 1/8" thick with a 3/4" spacer between the pains all the way around. :-(
     
  8. Nov 28, 2013 #8
    TimT Belle Plaine

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    Good thing I didn't get to involved into it yet.
     
  9. Nov 28, 2013 #9
    TimT Belle Plaine

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    May just turn it into a bigger tank for my snake then until I get thicker glass
     
  10. Nov 28, 2013 #10
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    I'm not discouraging you to try :) but I just don't see it working.

    I think it would work fine for a snake since there wouldn't be any pressure on the glass. I do see moister being a problem between the panes though if it is not sealed completely.
     
  11. Nov 28, 2013 #11
    TimT Belle Plaine

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    Think I'll just run to Lowe's next week for thicker glass since I already have all the other materials to make it. That way I can get tempered hlass also so I can drill it.
     
  12. Nov 28, 2013 #12
    F.D. Reefer Fort dodge

    F.D. Reefer Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I would not advise drilling tempered glass!
    Pretty sure it will shatter.
    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  13. Nov 28, 2013 #13
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    I think he meant non tempered glass. I doubt that they would stock tempered glass panels. Most residential windows aren't tempered.
     
  14. Nov 29, 2013 #14
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    What size tank are you planning on building? Typically the only glass I have seen available at lowes and the other big home stores is replacement window glass. 1/8" or so. Not ideal for building an aquarium. If you're still talking about the snake tank I still might suggest going a little thicher glass than that. Also just a clarification as mentioned already you can NOT drill tempered glass.


    I think for DIY tanks, sumps etc. for aquariums acrylic is the way to go. Start small, get your bonding process down and work up to larger projects.



     
  15. Nov 29, 2013 #15
    TimT Belle Plaine

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    Yeah after playing around last night that glass definetiley wouldn't have worked. I think I'm going to stick with a 20-30 gallon tank for starters and use it for corals. I want to get everything down first before I start going bigger. Doesn't acrylic yellow and get brittle as it gets older? I'm not yo familiar with acrylic.
     
  16. Nov 30, 2013 #16
    areefoffaith

    areefoffaith Inactive User

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    that depends on the type of acrylic and uv has alot to do with that
     

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