Making Cube out of 2 x 33G?

Der_Iron_Chef · #1 08-10-2007, 11:31 PM

I asked this question in the DIY thread on RC:

Is there ANY way to cut apart 2 36" 33G tanks and use the four "36 sides to make a cube (and have a 3' x 3' bottom piece cut)? If it's braced, would the glass used to make regular 33G tanks be thick enough?

I got one answer so far:

The stength of the glass is a function of its area. If the pieces are already from a 36" tank, then they are suitable for a 36", be it cubic or rectangular.

If this is your first DIY tank, I would do some research on construction techniques and tips.

What do people think? Agree? Disagree?

Chin_Lee · #2 08-11-2007, 03:35 AM

i agree it will work. the thickness of the glass used is USUALLY more dependent on the water height.

Delphinus · #3 08-11-2007, 05:08 AM

Seems like a lot of work though to take apart two $30ish-value tanks though just to save on the glass? If you had to buy a 36x36 panel for the bottom anyhow, how much more would it cost to have new 36x12 (or whatever your desired height is) panels cut? Then you'd have scratch-less clean panels to start off with.

I dunno?

Der_Iron_Chef · #4 08-11-2007, 06:50 AM

Well, that's the thing, Tony. I have no idea where to get glass cut (I posted a thread a few days ago, but no one has replied), and I have two brand new, flawless 33G tanks which I won't be using as 33G tanks!

I guess I'd still have to figure out a place to get the glass cut, for the bottom pane. But hey, a penny saved...

sphelps · #5 08-11-2007, 04:05 PM

any glass shop will cut some glass for you, last time I was in Calgary I used Speedy Glass. It should only cost around $60 for the glass you need, might be better just to sell the 33 gallons you have. Disassembling a tank is actually harder than you might think, you'll probably end up chipping the glass somewhere. Plus cleaning off the old silicone can be a pain.

I would personally also use a small Euro Brace, if you run a 2" wide strip in 6mm around the tank you'll eliminate the bow which I'm sure you will get without the brace. Either that or use thicker glass, 10mm.

Delphinus · #6 08-12-2007, 05:49 AM

I missed that thread Drew, sorry, I was camping the last couple weeks.

Place I use for glass is called Glass Guild. They're up in the N.E. by the .. um .. I think it's the Port-O-Call hotel. Number escapes me offhand but you can call 411 or check yellowpages.ca or something. I find they're reasonable for prices, and, they have everything under the sun - clear float, smoked, tinted, Starphire/low-iron, etc. etc.

Agreed with sphelps - I'd put a Eurobrace on the tank.

Hope this helps!

Zylumn · #7 08-13-2007, 04:03 AM

drew You are going from glass rated for 33 g to putting it on 100 g, I have not seen an eighty + g tank that had less than 1/2 " glass and you want to try close to 100g with 1/4". Dont add salt when testing(save you a little $) and test it on your porch (you can tell the neighbors below you were just putting out a fire) LOL. Now on the other hand if you still itching to try I have a bottom, front and a side of a 33g you can have.

Kevin