Andrew_W Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 My tank has 3 braces on the top, one at each end and one in the middle. I want to stick a fairly large piece of drift wood into the tank, and well it just wont fit so I was going to try removing the center brace. Does anyone know how to do this? I was planning on just knifing the silicon Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 You can just use a sharp razor to get it off. You'll need to take it off, clean it up and put it back on again, otherwise you'll get bows in your tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_W Posted November 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 thanks for that, I'll give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Careful you don't cut yourself.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_W Posted November 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 hmm, that idea may not work, as the glass piece are touching, therefore I cant fit the razor between the brace and the tank :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 You 'll need to slice at it from either side (outside and underneither, inside the tank) until it comes lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 I have just removed the glass out of a sump tank. it had large glass panels that broke the tank into about 3 different compartments. i went to the warehouse and brought a $3 paint scraper, took the blade out and proceeded to cut as much of the silicon away that i could. once i had done that i put the blade in between the glass panels and using two screw drivers (very carefully) i pushed the blade between the panels. the glass came out easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 :-? I'd be careful forcing it, unless you've got over 10mm glass. Anything less than that might crack - I'd go slow and easy until it pops off - don't break the tank!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 oh yea i should have said my glass was 10mm thick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_W Posted November 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 according to my eyecrometer mine is only 6mm. I think I will leave this project till I can get some more tools from work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 i repair a lot of tanks use a craft knife blade to take them apart slow and careful does it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cichlid7 Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Yep as Livingart said dont rush i use a razor blade and just keep slicing along it from 1 side then the other. it take a while but at least you wont break it or waste your hands :lol: i take it that the tank is empty (no water) or it may break once the brace lets go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockwork Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 hi we do the same, we get given alot of tanks in need of repair. we just run a craft knife along the silicon and off it comes, we have done it to all thicknesses of glass from 3mm and up. once the brace is of just give it a clean with some turps and it will be all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_W Posted November 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 haha yeah tank is empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 A one sided razor blade is thinner but a craft knife is easier on the fingers. Make sureyou clean off all the old Rtv and wipe with meths before you reglue the brace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 if you come to Henderson at any stage, get in touch and I will give you a stiff back razor blade that we use all the time.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deno Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 wouldn't it be easier to cut the dritwood then put it back together in the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 When I took the centre brace off my 3' tank I cut it in half first so I could move each half separately and that made it a heap easier. What you should do is get a couple of strips of glass cut so you can put 'euro-style' bracing on, then you'll be able to get the wood out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_W Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I got my filter today, so I have water in the tank, making sure it does leak etc etc. haha couldn't wait. It will be empty again once I get the tap fitting for one of those pumps that empties and fills the tank What you should do is get a couple of strips of glass cut so you can put 'euro-style' bracing on, then you'll be able to get the wood out again. Explain please :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu :) Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Don't know if this is any help... two years ago I had to remove a model ship from a display case that had been sealed shut (imagine a fish tank but with all six sides siliconed'). I used one those retractable/snap-off blade knife and a hair dryer. I simply ran the hair dryer slowly in front of the knife edge to soften the silicon before it was cut. Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Explain please :lol: Rather than having a brace running front to back across the centre of the tank, you could have two braces running left to right along the front and back panel of glass. I tried Googling for a pic but couldn't find one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.