Decison time, or oh ^&(*& I broke another tank!

[Anonymous]

So I'm cutting a wier on a 20 so the overflow box goes on the outside.

Sunday, I clamp the jig (which on later inspection wasn't square)too tight, and the tank cracks as soon as the dremel bit goes through the edge. OH, well, I guess I don't have to buy glass for the overflow box. . .

Today, bought a new tank, and just clamped a square to the tank, and used it as a guide for the rotozip. First cut went like buttah! Second cut, Halfway through "CRACK" I actually heard it with the hearing muffs on. That's how loud it was.

So, now I have two tanks, with 5 good pieces of glass in each. I've got one cut completely apart to use the glass for the overflow. The other is where I'm undecided. Should I just cut the back off, and silicone the new side to the old tank? I'm using the good front from the first broken tank. I've done the short cuts, and tomorrow, I'll get my glass cutter out of my storage locker and score and break the wier out. Then I'll clean up the cut with the dremel bit.

So, Should I just take the broken side off the tank? or should I actually take the whole thing apart and redo the whole tank (I could use black Silicone for the whole thing then. . .) I know new silicone won't stick to old. Should I worry that the tank won't seal in the corners where the new and the old meet?

BAH. I'm half temped to take all the glass to a fish store that custom builds tanks, and have them do it.

So what would you guys do?

B

 

[Anonymous]

I'd take it to the fish store, but I'm a talentless goofball.

 

[Anonymous]

So what would you guys do?

B

I'd give it up and drink heavily . Seriously, I'd take it somewhere and have it done but then again I totally lack talent in that area.

 

[Anonymous]

well, I broke yet another side! I tried to use a regular glass cutter between the two slots I had cut. The wier split in half, and broke about 1/2" deeper in the tank on one side. When I tried to snap the second half off, it broke clear to the side of the tank.

A second after that, my size 11 boot went through that side too.

Looks Like I'll be cad'ing up a drawing for the pet store to build for me. Or I might find a glass shop to cut the wier out for me. and while I'm at it, drill holes for the bulkheads.

I've got to call around tomorrow and get some prices. I'm half tempted to order the piece of glass from a glass shop in PA where a guy I know works. I'm just worried about shipping then.

GRRRRRRR Now it's time to drink heavily!

B

 

[Anonymous]

S'okay Bingo, I'll have a drink FOR you, save ya the trouble .

 

[npaden]

It is VERY important when using a dremel to cut glass to use LOTS of water to keep the bit cool IME.

I know some people have used cemetary tombstone carvers to cut tanks to specs for them. Compared to the granite they are used to doing the glass must be like butter and if they can carve letters and designs into marble or granite they surely can cut overflow slots for you.

Good luck. Nathan

 

[fungia]

do you have pics? i cant picture what is happening but i am a dummy

 

[tgrindle]

drop back 10 yrds punt, go get a beer or two and go to the pet store and let them do it

 

[Anonymous]

drop back 10 yrds punt, go get a beer or two and go to the pet store and let them do it

sadly, alas, it's what I'm doing. I still might just purchase one pane of glass cut the way I want it, and build the tank myself. I finally found GE Silicone type I in black. All I could find before was white or clear, or type II black.

B

 

[HClH2OFish]

I'd take it in, but only cuz I'm so mechanically inclined (I screw up everything I touch....)