Suggestions wanted on dismantling a 900g ish tank

[Scythanith]

Originally Posted by lockrookie

I have to pre prep the tank for removal and dismantle I e never used piano wife to separate the glass and curious how this has worked for others.

I found it worked great where the glass wasn't touching the adjoining pane. Make two little handles out of wood dowels so you don't destroy your fingers in the process. Good luck.

[sphelps]

I'd find out if it's tempered first and if it is I'd walk away. I've cut a few tanks apart in my day and you always end up chipping the edges, even if only slightly. The problem with tempered glass is it won't shatter from small chips but there's a possibility the internally stressed glass structure would be compromised meaning it could blow out later, and with 900 gallons behind it, it's simply just not worth the risk.

With that said cutting the tank apart isn't that hard. Remove inside beads first as well as any bracing if present. Plastic bracing will likely have to be scarified. Cut side seams first then pull the glass back to break the seal on the base, finish with knife. I'd use an x acto knife, you can actually get sets like this which work well. Getting the blade in can be tricky depending how the tank was assembled but if you start at one side and use some leverage you can usually work your way through the seam with ease. Personally never had much luck with piano wire.

[hillegom]

I have only taken one tank apart and don't know how thick piano wire is.
But I went to a music place and got the smallest broken guitar string for free and used that.
As mentioned, I wrapped the string around two wooden dowels and see-sawed my way through.
Good luck, its a process!

[The Grizz]

Use a product called Goof Off, it will soften the silicon to make it easier to cut threw with the wire.

[Reef Puffer]

I used a g string... The thinest guitar string I could find. Went through a few but they are cheap and very thin. Worked quite well.

[Dearth]

Originally Posted by Reef Puffer

I used a g string....

Saw that and immediately tried to figure out how you would use a G string

[Reef Puffer]

Originally Posted by Dearth

Saw that and immediately tried to figure out how you would use a G string

You don't want to be wearing lots of heavy clothing if your gonna jump in there and start cutting out silicone