SamH Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I have a few spare sheets of glass from tank lids gone wrong and was wondering if I could stick them together and make another tank? The sizes are (in MM): 1x 300x270 1x 300x300 1x 350x350 1x 350x320 1x 350x300 How could I use these to the best of their advantage? Is cutting glass tricky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Looks like you can make a tank that is 350x300x300. basically use the larges pieces for the front and back. The 350x300 is ready to go, but the other 350x350 would have to be trimmed back so that it is the same dimensions. Then, for the sides, the 300x300 is ready to go, but the 350x320 would also have to be trimmed back. You would be left not using the 300x270 at all (unless you want a part lid). You can by a glass scorer from a hardware store. Basically you just score the glass where you want it to be cut using the help of ruler or something else that is straight. Then you apply pressure to the piece against the corner of a table or use some glass pliers to 'bite' off pieces and the glass should split right along the line . I've done this with smaller pieces of glass and tiles but I don't know how hard it would be on a large piece or what type of glass this is. I'm sure there are vids on youtube showing this process. HOWEVER, the glass edges will be really sharp... I would recommend taking the pieces to a glass repair shop where they can cut it to the dimensions you need and also bevel the edges so you don't cut yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Huh? I can make an aquarium out of four peices of glass?! I think the biggest I could make is 350 x 300 x 270 mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Huh? I can make an aquarium out of four peices of glass?! I think the biggest I could make is 350 x 300 x 270 mm. Triangle tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Triangle tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Haha, oops, I accidentally counted 6 pieces total Ok, well then make one 350x300x 270! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I'm going to try and cut the glass soon. Wish me luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I bought a glass cutter tool from Bunnings, the meatl wheel kind. I dipped it in some cooking oil and ran it along a straight edge on a small piece of glass and tried to break it, that didn't work. So I tried to run it along several times and then tried to break it, didn't work. I tried to make a score but even that didn't work. What do I need to do exactly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos & Siran Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I tried trimming our lid down with a wheel cutter, was a complete disaster, as you you said, I dipped in oil, scored several times on both side and it shattered and made a real mess, I gave up and got a professional around to cut me a new one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fulloc Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 old glass is brittle and will break easily, its also pretty hard to cut small strips off (ie 50mm or less). Put it on a table with a towel or somethin under it and score along a straight edge pushing until you can feel it scoring/grinding then hold the offcut piece over the edge of the table and give it a firm push. should just go "tink" and break off, if its not scored well it will break funny tho. IME the best cutters are the type with a tiny wheel on the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I will send a bit I did for the Aquarium world to Caryl and see if she can fit it in somewhere on the home page menus NEVER GO OVER THE SAME CUT if anyones wants to come to my factory, Im more than happy to show them how Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkfur Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 wear strong gardening gloves or you will end up like me at the doctors rooms getting a gash in your finger fixed :oops: I did find that cutting glass is easier with a rotary tool with a diamond wheel (aka a dremel), especially if it is toughened glass. And then it cuts your finger very effectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 especially if it is toughened glass. And then it cuts your finger very effectively. If you managed to cut toughened glass you were extremely lucky to the point of maybe 10million to one or the glass was not toughened Toughened glass is made by shrinking the outside surfaces which puts the inside of the glass under presure, When the outside surface is damaged (cut) the inside releases the presure and breaks Im guessing that although your glass may well of have the mark on it, it may well have missed the toughening process? In 41 years, I have never been able to cut toughened glass by traditional cutter, diamond saws or even alpha cutting (water lazor) although it is sometimes (rearly) able to grind a couple of mm of the edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 you could make 4 windows better still you can buy another piece of glass and make a proper tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Tried to score it, didn't work. Tried many times again with all the different techniques you could think of, didn't work. I'll either take it to a glass cutter or just order a tank. better still you can buy another piece of glass and make a proper tank I have 5 peices, Aquilam_11 just thought he saw 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie841 Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Tried to score it, didn't work. Tried many times again with all the different techniques you could think of, didn't work. I'll either take it to a glass cutter or just order a tank. I have 5 peices, Aquilam_11 just thought he saw 4. You are best to have 6 peices for a real tank (assuming you want it to have a lid ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 a rimless nano (the only true nano) has no lid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 How did I know you were gunna say that? I would love a rimless Nano but I'm not allowed anymore tanks. Plus my fish like to jump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 well then, windows it is. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 I mean I'm not allowed to buy anymore tanks, I think I can make one. Do you reckon a glass cutter will charge? If so, how much? I really like the idea of a "Nano" blackwater tank. You know the sort Phoenix, the one with the tea brown, not so clear water? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 ugh. lol. water must be clear.carbon crystal clear. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 I used carbon on my first tank for about 4 months. Replaced it every month. Decided not to and I've never looked back. All it does is mask deeper problems, if there's a bacterial bloom I'd like to see it. You can't beat the colours and behavious of Neons in a black water tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 I used carbon on my first tank for about 4 months. Replaced it every month. Decided not to and I've never looked back. All it does is mask deeper problems, if there's a bacterial bloom I'd like to see it. You can't beat the colours and behavious of Neons in a black water tank. Absolutely agree, I have saltwater tanks for the crystal clear water, and a heavily planted tank that is pretty yellow, very overstocked, overfiltered, and underfed. All the fish are fat and happy, and I do 1 water change every 6 months or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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