Disassembling a tank question

[Anonymous]

How hard is it to disassemble a glass tank?

I have a 150G sump that I need to dispose of. It weighs a ton, so I want to remove the silicone and break it down into individual sheets of glass, so that I can toss it more easily.

How hard is the silicone to remove?

Is a razor knife all that is needed to remove it?

Any suggestions?

Louey

 

[reefman5511]

It can be a bear at times especially with a big tank. They usually use silicone on the edges so it may be difficult to get the razor between the sheets. Slice out the silicone that forms the seal & then try to get the blade between the glass. Good pair of gloves are a must.

 

[reefman5511]

It can be a bear at times especially with a big tank. They usually use silicone on the edges so it may be difficult to get the razor between the sheets. Slice out the silicone that forms the seal & then try to get the blade between the glass. Good pair of gloves are a must.

 

[Anonymous]

IF you do not mind making a mess hit it with a sledge hammer. That would break it into small pieces.

 

[Anonymous]

Waz wrote:

IF you do not mind making a mess hit it with a sledge hammer. That would break it into small pieces.

That would work, but then the clean up and haul off would be quite messy. And the risk of getting cut would be much greater.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Make sure you wear heavy gloves and eye protection. Cut the silicone as deep as you can with a blade, then take off the top bracket, etc. If you can remove the bottom panel, it will be much easier to get the sides out. Be very careful!

 

[Anonymous]

There isn;t a local club you could post and offer the tank for free to? I am sure someone would gladly expend the energy to remove the tank from your home for free.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, it's a custom sump with 15 holes drilled in it.

It also has a chip in one of the corners. It doesn't leak, but I probably would have never filled it with water if I had noticed the chip.

It's made for a particular application.

Three of the holes are in the bottom. That facilitates water changes for me.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

LOL you're underestimating peoples cheapness. Seriously. Post it as is and I bet someone picks it up.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'll give that a try.

Thanks for the idea, JustPhish.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

You should put interesting trades accepted!

 

[Anonymous]

Now I have a white t shirt with a sweat stain in the shape of elvis. Will you be around this weekend? :lol:

Good luck with the tank. I'm sure someone will take it.

 

[trido]

If all else fails, put a tarp under it and one over it and whack it a few tiimes with a sledge hammer. I have gotten rid of more than one twelve foot window that way. Just make sure you dont fill your garbage cans too full, glass makes them heavy real fast.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, JustPhish, I posted it in the SW Florida Society forums here and at RC and found a taker in one day.

Thanks for the idea. My friends thank you too, because now I won't have to ask them to come help lift the sump out. The "taker" and her buddies are going to pick it up just when I want them too.

So the old sump is basically going to disappear.

Louuey

 

[Anonymous]

another way to seperate the glass panels is with a guitar string/piano wire. Wrap the ends around a couple of pieces of wood and use it like a garrote.

B

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, JustPhish, I posted it in the SW Florida Society forums here and at RC and found a taker in one day.

Thanks for the idea. My friends thank you too, because now I won't have to ask them to come help lift the sump out. The "taker" and her buddies are going to pick it up just when I want them too.

So the old sump is basically going to disappear.

Louuey

See told you! And now you're totally awesome to someone cause you gave them a free tank!

Never under estimate the power of free.