Aquarium Repair and Modifications in Calgary

[Enigma]

Hi Folks :)

I'm a new to the forum and new to reefing (have a 10 gallon in the works). I've done a quick search and couldn't find my specific questions answered . . . so here goes. :)

I have a glass 150 gallon long aquarium. I don't have the history on it, it simply showed up in my living room one day while I was at work. It looks like it has seen better days: I'm not even willing to test it for leaks in the house.

I'm thinking that I would just like to drag it over to someone who can tear it down and put it back together.

I would also like to divide it, I think. Maybe into a 100 gal display tank and a 50 gal sump/fuge . . . or maybe three 50 gal tanks (display, sump/fuge, and quarantine) . . . or ???

I was also thinking that maybe I would just like to have it cut down to a 100 gal (can anyone in town actually cut tempered glass?).

I'm so undecided. I could really use some recommendations. :)

I would hate to send all of that glass to the dump: though there are some chips and scratches in it (chips could be hidden/resolved by flipping the panels horizontally, I think). I'm very much into repairing/modifying things.

Thanks in advance!

[Tom R]

I am not sure of any aquarium repair people in Calgary. You may try someone like Speedy Auto glass or Apple Auto glass, most of them do residential glass as well.

Be sure to get a quote on the work as labour and materials to break it down and rebuild it will likely be greater than buying a new tank from the LFS.

Tom R

[The Grizz]

Speedy or Apple will look at you and say " you want us to do WHAT??!! "

Sounds like you are better off to ditch it and start with a better tank.

[muck]

Unless you can do what you want yourself it will not save you any money.
Call Dave @ Concept for a new tank and save yourself the headache.

[Enigma]

I am not sure of any aquarium repair people in Calgary. You may try someone like Speedy Auto glass or Apple Auto glass, most of them do residential glass as well.

Be sure to get a quote on the work as labour and materials to break it down and rebuild it will likely be greater than buying a new tank from the LFS.

Tom R

Thanks for the suggestions, Tom. :)

Hubby built a model train coffee table a couple years ago, and we weren't able to find anyone at the time who could cut the tempered glass the display case required. The tempered glass for his table was ordered in the sizes he required, and he then pieced them together. Based on what he paid for that glass, we figure the retail value of the glass in this tank would be over $1000 (though it clearly isn't worth that, in the condition it is in).

It never occurred to us to check with aquarium builders/repair shops at the time to see if they could cut and/or supply the pieces he required.

In the event the repairs/modifications were to exceed the costs of a new tank from one of the LFS, I'd buy the new tank. While reducing/reusing/recycling is all good . . . my wallet takes generally takes presidence. ;)

[Delphinus]

Unless you can do what you want yourself it will not save you any money.
Call Dave @ Concept for a new tank and save yourself the headache.

^ +1

Also FWIW, in answer to your other question, tempered glass would not be able to be cut. Once it's tempered that's pretty much it. When you see a drilled tempered panel, it was drilled first then tempered (at least that's how I understand it).

Actually at the best of times it seems rather difficult to cut used glass clean and straight. There is a sweet spot of age for glass where it's easy to cut. After holding back water and having silicone on it and stuff, it tends to behave in more unpredictable ways.

[Enigma]

Speedy or Apple will look at you and say " you want us to do WHAT??!! "

Sounds like you are better off to ditch it and start with a better tank.

Unless you can do what you want yourself it will not save you any money.
Call Dave @ Concept for a new tank and save yourself the headache.

Thanks, guys.

Hubby did say he would attempt to do it himself. If the professional repair and modifications would cost more than a new tank, we've really got nothing to loose by attempting it ourselves (and testing it outside, when things warm up a bit). This one would never be as good as new, simply due to the scratches.

[Enigma]

^ +1

Also FWIW, in answer to your other question, tempered glass would not be able to be cut. Once it's tempered that's pretty much it. When you see a drilled tempered panel, it was drilled first then tempered (at least that's how I understand it).

Actually at the best of times it seems rather difficult to cut used glass clean and straight. There is a sweet spot of age for glass where it's easy to cut. After holding back water and having silicone on it and stuff, it tends to behave in more unpredictable ways.

Wow! Great information. Thank you. :) We had no idea glass was tempered after being cut. That was a huge source of confusion for us.

[Delphinus]

Welcome to Canreef, BTW :)

[Enigma]

Welcome to Canreef, BTW :)

Thank you :)

I don't normally jump in that aggressively (without an intro or anything). But, I'm on a mission. :lol:

[lockrookie]

just my 2 cents there are a few ppl selling some really great tanks on here for a steal. my suggestion is contact them .. one isnt even built yet so you can have it customozed to your liking... i too am budget minded and purchaced a 180g tank off used regina with a cracked pane.. which i ordered teh glass myself and repaired myself.. it can be done if you are patient. as well as i understand how much glass costs as i have just experianced it.

my questions for you are these.

if you reseal the tank and use it as is would you be happy with it or would you wish you had waited and gone another way

is it worth the hastle to cut up the tank and resize it or get the perfect size for your space. (thought about doing this and the wife talked me out of it thank gawd)

how bad will those scratches look after you have set up an amazing system but if that one scratch just wasnt right there collecting algea.....(personally effected on this note)

and lastly do you want to set up a tank that you knowingly will not be happy with just to have a bigger tank. rather than take your time save a few pennies and get something you and your family will enjoy (and stress over at times lol) for many years to come.

this hobby's key aspects are patience, research, patience, reasearch, some procrastination but mostly patience and reasearch. take the time to plan the spot to have it the lighting the tank every aspect. and in the end you can sit back and enjoy your creation without haveing theafter thoughts ,, if only i had thought of that then... i rushed my first tank.. made huge mistakes.. and ask questions we are here to help.

[muck]

Tony is correct. Tempered glass will shatter into millions of pieces if you try cut or drill it. :surprise:

[sphelps]

This is how people develop hoarding problems, when they assume something has value when in reality it does not, hence why it just "showed up". The cost of disposal is likely more than it's value.

However with that said I can also offer some more useful information.
First others are correct tempered glass can not be modified in anyway no matter where you take it. However how do you know it's tempered? It's unlikely the whole tank would be unless it's some kind of special build but virtually no tanks are ever fully tempered, some tanks do have tempered bases but that's usually as for as it goes. So if you're planning anything relating to using the tank, first confirm if it's tempered.

If the tank is something you want to use then consider just replacing the viewable sides with new glass (doesn't have to be tempered provided thickness is correct. You can reseal the the rest of the tank without disassembly, simply remove the silicone bead from the inside and reseal with the correct silicone. However don't go down this road unless the current tank size is something you desire. If you'd prefer something closer to 100 gallons consider buying a new 90 gallon, brand new price is typically $300 or less for a standard 90 gallon. You can get used ones in good shape for half that or less. It's much cheaper to buy standard tanks than build custom ones yourself.

[sphelps]

New 90 gallon with stand in Calgary for $275.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-pets-accessories-NEW-90-gallon-tank-with-stand-W0QQAdIdZ362970359

[Enigma]

and ask questions we are here to help.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and to get me thinking critically about it.

In the event it didn't work out as an aquarium, it would be back to "Plan A" with it: to turn it into a terrarium for tropical plants. I've got three plant terrariums in the house, and I'm looking to do a larger one (not necessarily this big, though).

Terrariums are a bit more forgiving then aquariums in a lot of ways. Even an open terrarium can really increase the variety of plants that we can have in our dry homes. All of my plant terrariums are aquariums that were badly damaged and no longer held water. It is okay if I get sloppy with the silicone on those, as the silicone isn't as noticeable when the aquarium is 1/4 full of soil.

This is how people develop hoarding problems, when they assume something has value when in reality it does not, hence why it just "showed up". The cost of disposal is likely more than it's value.

Well, it was a little more complicated then that. Trust me, the gory details (or what I said to hubby) are not required. ;)

However with that said I can also offer some more useful information.
First others are correct tempered glass can not be modified in anyway no matter where you take it. However how do you know it's tempered?

Umm . . . Hubby said so. Sorry. Best answer I can give. :o I will be questioning him further about this when I get home this evening.

You've given me some great ideas. Thanks!

[Enigma]

New 90 gallon with stand in Calgary for $275.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-pets-accessories-NEW-90-gallon-tank-with-stand-W0QQAdIdZ362970359

Thanks! That does look like good value.

It will be a couple of years before I go up to something big. My little 10 gallon will probably be moved into something around 40 gallons or so as an intermediate step.

[globaldesigns]

Welcome to Canreef!

I personally would go larger... 10 gallon won't last you long, and I will give you 1-2 months before you want bigger. I speak from experience, starting with a 28 gallon, and most reefers here can probably agree with me.

I am not saying go HUGE... But you should maybe consider larger, how big depends on you, your location, etc. But the bigger you go, means you can do more... More choice for coral, if you are thinking this... More choice for fish. Easier to take care of.

Just my 2 cents. Have fun!

[lockrookie]

Welcome to Canreef!

I personally would go larger... 10 gallon won't last you long, and I will give you 1-2 months before you want bigger. I speak from experience, starting with a 28 gallon, and most reefers here can probably agree with me.

I am not saying go HUGE... But you should maybe consider larger, how big depends on you, your location, etc. But the bigger you go, means you can do more... More choice for coral, if you are thinking this... More choice for fish. Easier to take care of.

Just my 2 cents. Have fun!
+100

[Enigma]

I personally would go larger... 10 gallon won't last you long, and I will give you 1-2 months before you want bigger. I speak from experience, starting with a 28 gallon, and most reefers here can probably agree with me.

I can't go bigger until my credit card recovers a bit. ;) Even setting up a 10 gallon has been very, very, costly . . . and I've yet to add any livestock beyond a couple of snails. :eek: I do have some marco rock to get seeded for the next size up, though.

[Enigma]

Well, the 150 gallon tank has been picked up by a friend of a friend, to become a reptile terrarium. It should work very well for that.