Mirrored glass for sump?

Rogue951 · #1 03-27-2010, 01:07 AM

so I went to speedy glass and asked for some partitions for my sump.
They cut me MIRRORED glass instead! (course I didn't look till I got home)
Is this safe to use in saltwater? do I have to worry about the coating?
now I kind of think it'd be cool to have the refugium part surrounded on the 2 sides by a mirror just so I can see around the rocks.
(dunno if my fish will like... )
if not I'll have to go back to them which is going to be inconvenient. the work order even says clear.

Thanks!!

Chase31 · #2 03-27-2010, 01:43 AM

well just put the mirror on the outside would be my best guess

Rogue951 · #3 03-27-2010, 01:46 AM

It's not for making a whole sump tank, it's for the partitions in a sump.

Chase31 · #4 03-27-2010, 01:48 AM

i dont really think you should have to worry about it, but i dont know anything about it, i would go back and tell them they gave you mirrors instead of glass, they should give you the right thing

DiverDude · #5 03-27-2010, 03:17 AM

I wouldn't risk it. At one point, I believe lead was part of the mirroring process (probably isn't anymore). The coating that is the mirror might flake off in the future and who knows what it's made of.

#6 03-27-2010, 03:45 AM

mirrors use to be made with mercury on the back and then another coating of some thing else they don't do it that way now. most are made with a plastic base to them now a days.

Bill

sphelps · #7 03-27-2010, 04:04 AM

The back of the mirror will contain tin chloride, silver, copper, paint and other chemicals. So not too good for saltwater.

Fishward · #8 03-27-2010, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

The back of the mirror will contain tin chloride, silver, copper, paint and other chemicals. So not too good for saltwater.

just think of those corroded spots you see on old bathroom mirrors. not good for salt water IMO

Rogue951 · #9 03-27-2010, 07:37 AM

*sigh* what a waste of a night. I could've had my sump siliconed up...