Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board  

Go Back   Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board > General > Reef

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-07-2011, 11:26 PM
ReefOcean ReefOcean is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ridge Meadows
Posts: 199
ReefOcean is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Polishing edges - Rimless tank help

Does anybody know how to polish the top edges or a rimless aquarium safetly and efficiently?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-08-2011, 01:53 AM
rastaangel rastaangel is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kindersley, Sk
Posts: 221
rastaangel is on a distinguished road
Default

Most glass that has polished edges is polished from were its produced using automated machines, usually special order as its expensive varying on glass thickness. The way glass is polised is much like wood using course to super fine grids but with alot more difficulty.
On a already assembled tank this will only increase the level of difficulty as none of the peices can be removed and taken to a water fed belt sander, which is required not only to cut down on dust but reduce heat that can cause cracks, and flares or shells which could later crack after the tank is filled.
Short and sweet, unless you work with glass I would not recomeend attempting to polish the edges of your tank as you are more likely to do more damage then good...
I am a glazier by trade and I personaly would not attempt to polish on a assemebled tank, I have polished many glass edges, it is a very time consuming task that requires special equipment and is very easy to mess up...
Just my .02, hope that helps
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-08-2011, 02:15 AM
ReefOcean ReefOcean is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ridge Meadows
Posts: 199
ReefOcean is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

Thank you

The reason I asked, is that i am getting a tank made and to get the edges polished will be another 150 dollars or so. I cant imagine the tank will come with sharp uneven glass (especially since polishing would be included in the base price if this was the case). SO would this mean that the edges will just be frosty instead of clear?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-08-2011, 02:37 AM
phi delt reefer's Avatar
phi delt reefer phi delt reefer is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, ON
Posts: 578
phi delt reefer is on a distinguished road
Default

polish usually means they will finish the edge with a bevel as well. Its worth the extra money or your tank will look you just de-rimmed a store bought tank. You will not be able to do it on your own by hand. It'll be uneven and you will probably chip parts of it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-08-2011, 03:13 AM
e46er e46er is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Maple Ridge
Posts: 819
e46er is on a distinguished road
Default

^^ agreed
fork out the money
__________________
250G DD LED SPS R.I.P.
180G LED SPS
80"x36". 300G custom build

Owner of Mountain Ridge Heating and Gas
Class A gas fitter, HVAC
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-08-2011, 03:16 AM
rastaangel rastaangel is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kindersley, Sk
Posts: 221
rastaangel is on a distinguished road
Default

Most of the time when ive seen a rimless or euro-braced it has polished edges as there espensive, high end tank.
A edge doesnt have to be polished to be clear, it depends on how much they arris (sand the sharp, clean cut edge off) the peice will determine what the clear to frosted look of sanded glass will be. It also depends on how thick the glass is and how they cut it will determine how nice the edge will look with a arris vs a polish.
If they can do nice clean cut then a 1-2mm arris with a 400-600 grit, you would have a hard time telling the difference unless you were told...
Altho a polished edge is far stronger and more resistant to damage as its harder to knock a peice out
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-08-2011, 03:27 AM
reefwars reefwars is offline
R.I.P.
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 6,186
reefwars will become famous soon enough
Default

there was a thread on here a while ago about diy polishing it was a japanese guy doing glass work and tutorials on youtube, it can be done the guy used a grinder to do it going from coarse to fine.prob wouldnt reccomend it but it can be done and i imagine it takes quite a bit of practise so like above i would just pay to have it done alot easier that way and you wont ruin your new glass lol
__________________
........
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-08-2011, 03:38 AM
rastaangel rastaangel is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kindersley, Sk
Posts: 221
rastaangel is on a distinguished road
Default

It can for sure be done at home, altho the grinder method usually results in damaged glass from heat and low dip spots...
If you go to any glass shop they should have samples to show the difference between a clean cut edge, arrised edge and various polishes and you can choose.
GET A POLISHED EDGE
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-08-2011, 04:08 AM
ReefOcean ReefOcean is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ridge Meadows
Posts: 199
ReefOcean is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rastaangel View Post
It can for sure be done at home, altho the grinder method usually results in damaged glass from heat and low dip spots...
If you go to any glass shop they should have samples to show the difference between a clean cut edge, arrised edge and various polishes and you can choose.
GET A POLISHED EDGE
I dont really need it bevelled. But yes, I would like a simple polish. the edge should already be pretty smooth, otherwise I will run my hand along it and boom.... lawsuit. I know these are some ultra low grit solutions out there. will sand paper work?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-08-2011, 05:17 AM
cwatkins's Avatar
cwatkins cwatkins is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Cloverdale, BC
Posts: 352
cwatkins is on a distinguished road
Default

Spend the $$!
__________________
Tank Journal Thread
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:37 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.