Modify a glass tank???

[henrye718]

Hi all,

I was looking into the Marineland Deep Dimension tanks (200 gal ver 48x36x27) and thought they are a little on the over priced side.

Being a DIYer at heart I figured I could use a 150 gal X-high tank to get the same deep front to back effect as the Marineland.

The 150xH measures 48x24x30. What I want to do is remove the back pane, lay the tank on its front glass so the top becomes the face and use the removed back pane (cut to fit) as the front pane of glass. In effect creating a new tank with these dimensions 48x30x24.

Now I have a tank only 6" shorter in depth (front to back) and 3" shorter in height which I find to be a bonus since the its only 24" high I will have more success with T5 lighting.

A few questions I have is how is glass of this thickness cut? I guess its 1/2" glass.

Would sealing the new piece of glass in place be a problem since its mating to already cured silicone? Or will it have to be totally resealed on all sides.

Do I need to create center bracing across "the new" top of the tank?

And any other suggestions or problems that anyone might see me running into attempting such a thing.



Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[NYPDFrogman]

with mass produced tanks keep in mind that they sometimes use thinner tempered glass on the bottom. also inspect the bottom pane for imperfections, clarity.

the dimensions are also different some tank builders fit the bottom pane within the sides
IMHO not worth the effort

my 450 was built by Miracles Aquarium in Canada
check them out price wise before you decide

 

[masterswimmer]

Your back pane would now become the tempered glass pane. Your bottom glass would not be tempered and should be. That's why they manufacture large tanks with tempered bottoms in the first place.

swimmer

 

[henrye718]

Thanks for the replys and offers guys. I am going to look into the local custom market and see where that leads. Thats if we even have one. heh.

If those Marineland tanks didnt have the 27" in height (lighting requirements) I would just take the plunge and buy one.

NYPDFrogman: Perhaps you know my cousin Paul from Staten Island he is a police diver. I remember him telling me about doing one of those triathlons out in Cali a few years ago.