Glass Replacement!

Scooterman · 11-20-2003, 04:56 PM

I'm by far no expert on this but I was asked and I've done it so here goes!

Please Chime in!

Scooterman · 11-20-2003, 05:10 PM

I replaced the Bottom of my 30g glass sump & altered it to include chambers for filtration etc. This task takes patients, so beware! I First removed the support brace all around the bottom, it wasn't easy, I used razor blades and putty knives to Slowly work it free, this took time. I then had to cut the silicone completely all the way around, inside & out. It took some time to get the bottom completely off, I actually broke it to get it off, covering it with rags and smashing it but I would not recommend this to anyone, you can seriously get hurt in doing this, mine was already partially broken. I wore thick gloves in taking the pieces off, it was scary. Ok, after removing everything, I then cleaned the glass thoroughly, vinegar, alcohol. I went to the glass shop, with exact measurement for the bottom, I also had them cut me dividers made of acrylic. $15 bucks! I used
Pure silicone ll for adhering the bottom. I wore a good mask, with filters in an open room. I first laid the bottom and reapplied silicone, I had to work fast but it came out ok for my first major repair. The next day I installed the dividers & the last day I again cleaned everything very very thoroughly. I then filled the tank up in the garage and left it there two days full! Then I drained it and rinsed it in RO/DI water & from there it is history, been in the sump for almost a year! This was my experiences only, I'm in no way claiming this is the best way of doing glass work but I would easily do it again & I'm sure this time it would come out even better!

Flipper · 11-20-2003, 05:19 PM

Nice job, Scoot!

F355GTB · 11-20-2003, 05:21 PM

Wow... it's seems fairly difficult & time consuming. I would probably end having to take out, clean, & reseal every pane of glass. I would basically have to rebuild the entire tank. That's probably something I shouldn't do. But then again it might be fun & a valuable learning experience.

Scooterman · 11-20-2003, 05:25 PM

I would think in your case you could replace only what you need, I didn't replace the silicone ll on the sides! You may need some type of bracing until it is crued though & yes to do a good job, You will need to take your time.

F355GTB · 11-20-2003, 05:34 PM

Yeah... i definitely think it's a little too much for me to do... maybe i should just buy a new tank or have it professionally repaired. Thanks again for your input. You have helped me a lot today! I appreciate it greatly!

Is there any way to buff the scratches out (that you know of)? I'm sure buffing compound isn't exactly something you'd want on the inside of an aquarium.

John

Scooterman · 11-20-2003, 06:01 PM

The glass shop can probably fix it & I'm sure you can clean it afterwards. I think it would be worth a try! We will have to find some cleaning forums though but it can be done!

jks1 · 11-20-2003, 06:20 PM

Wow, that is a great idea. Hmmm maybe for my next tank

wooddood · 11-23-2003, 06:14 AM

great job scoot,thanks i bet it was a job.

Craig Manoukian · 11-23-2003, 07:16 AM

Is that an Aqua Medic Turbofloater 1000 skimmer? Looks like it's doing a great job!

Scooterman · 11-23-2003, 11:22 AM

I like my AquaMedic Skimmer, run, runs runs no problems!

11-20-2003, 04:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	Glass Replacement! I'm by far no expert on this but I was asked and I've done it so here goes! Please Chime in! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan) Last edited by Scooterman : 11-20-2003 at 04:59 PM.

11-20-2003, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Flipper Sturgeon General Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York Posts: 156 View Gallery Karma Komment	Nice job, Scoot! __________________ View my photo gallery 55 Gallon, 80 lbs. Live Rock, 3.5" DSB, 1.024 @ 80 degrees, Yellow Tang, Goldbar Maroon Clownfish, Blue Velvet Damsel, 2 White-Bonnet Clownfish, 2 Scissortail Gobies, Royal Gramma, Echinaster luzonicus Star, Red Linkia Star, Brittle Star, Pepermint Shrimp, Green Mushrooms, Protopalythoa Button Polyp colony, Feather Duster. Ocean Futures

11-20-2003, 05:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	I would think in your case you could replace only what you need, I didn't replace the silicone ll on the sides! You may need some type of bracing until it is crued though & yes to do a good job, You will need to take your time. __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

11-20-2003, 06:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	The glass shop can probably fix it & I'm sure you can clean it afterwards. I think it would be worth a try! We will have to find some cleaning forums though but it can be done! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

11-20-2003, 06:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	Wow, that is a great idea. Hmmm maybe for my next tank __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

11-20-2003, 05:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
F355GTB Fire Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 61 View Gallery Karma Komment	Wow... it's seems fairly difficult & time consuming. I would probably end having to take out, clean, & reseal every pane of glass. I would basically have to rebuild the entire tank. That's probably something I shouldn't do. But then again it might be fun & a valuable learning experience.

11-20-2003, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
F355GTB Fire Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 61 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yeah... i definitely think it's a little too much for me to do... maybe i should just buy a new tank or have it professionally repaired. Thanks again for your input. You have helped me a lot today! I appreciate it greatly! Is there any way to buff the scratches out (that you know of)? I'm sure buffing compound isn't exactly something you'd want on the inside of an aquarium. John

11-23-2003, 06:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: marion. INDIANA Posts: 3,457 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	great job scoot,thanks i bet it was a job. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

11-23-2003, 07:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 19,012 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Is that an Aqua Medic Turbofloater 1000 skimmer? Looks like it's doing a great job! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

11-23-2003, 11:22 AM	#11 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	I like my AquaMedic Skimmer, run, runs runs no problems! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

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