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.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by 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.

^ +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]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

^ +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.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by 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

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.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[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.