cutting a 30 inch tall tank to 24 inches tall.

Ryanst · #1 03-31-2011, 08:45 PM

Well the tank is my spare its in my parents shed right now. I just really hate the 30 inch deep and the tank bows a bit when full so I dont really want to use it again at 30 inches. At 24 inches there would be alot less head pressure on the glass. I am going to need it in the next month or two to put my fish in while I move and set up my new tank. I think I will try and cut it and put a coast to coast overflow on the back. worst case scenario I break it and need to wait for another used big tank to come up for sale.

lastlight · #2 03-31-2011, 08:48 PM

Why not just try and dremel an overflow 6" down from the top and toss a box on it? That way you don't need to mess with taking it apart.

Ryanst · #3 03-31-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

Why not just try and dremel an overflow 6" down from the top and toss a box on it? That way you don't need to mess with taking it apart.

I thought about that too becuase it is just a temporary tank I doesnt have to look that good. But if the cutting worked maybe one day I could have 2 big tanks set up. lol

Ryanst · #4 03-31-2011, 08:58 PM

Has anyone tried cutting something that big with a diamond blade? I would use a skil saw and put a 6 foot hand level along the whole thing so I get a straight cut.

lastlight · #5 03-31-2011, 09:02 PM

Check the beginnings of Dez's thread. He did a lot of this type of dremelling. Heck you could just do a coast-to-coast 6" down and drill regular bulkheads into it. Sounds like you want to not have it look silly as well but a canopy could easily hide a 6" rim.

Dez · #6 03-31-2011, 09:38 PM

I would maybe use masking tape to cut down on the shelling
Of the glass. Then maybe use you skill saw idea with lots of water. I just used a regular diamond blade from totem on my grinder.

tinman · #7 04-06-2011, 01:31 AM

you could rent a wet saw from home depot if you were taking the tank apart.

reefwars · #8 03-31-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryanst

Has anyone tried cutting something that big with a diamond blade? I would use a skil saw and put a 6 foot hand level along the whole thing so I get a straight cut.

if you go slow you can cut it no problem, the finish wont be very nice so it will need some other work as well afterwards, i havent cut one 72" but i cut a 1" strip off a piece that was 24" x24" through my wet saw, just your average diamond blade, where the glass is so thick it actually cuts very easily. theres a video on my tank journal of us cutting it check it out its just a crap mastercraft saw and took only 3 mins to cut one inch off of two pieces. both pieces turned out really well. cheers